Am I missing something? Need help!

C

cz75b

Joined
Aug 4, 2004
Messages
329
Hey guys,

I really need your advise on this one.

I've got my Ontario RAT-5 reprofiled from the factory 30degree edge up to 25degree on my Lansky set. (yes I know....Lansky....I'm not well at freehand sharpening, and this setup has worked well for me)

I've got my RAT-3 hairpopping sharp (really shaves) and can do push cuts on newspaper. It also cut extremely wel trough bundled clothes (t-shirts). And stays sharp even after splitting a large pile of wood.

My RAT-5 is also hairpopping sharp and push cuts newspaper but is really not able to cut trough a bundle of t-shirts without much force...:thumbdn: What am I doing wrong here?

I'm laying the knife with the edge on the t-shirts, and all I see is a very thin line were the edge was.....no cut at all.....:mad:

What am I doing wrong here?

CZ

PS
I know the RAT-5 is thicker then the RAT-3 but they both pushcut and shave hair.....I strop them on a loaded leather belt for a finishing touch.
 
Are you sure that both RATs have the same edge finish? Is it possible that some teeth were not fully polished out on the RAT-3?

Just a guess, someone who knows more will probably be along shortly.
 
Hey FlyingMuskrat,

Thanks for the reply. What I don't understand, that a edge that can do pushcuts and shave hair, is not able to cut trough a thick bundle of t-shirts....must something with the micro serrations on the edge? But why? I both polished them on a strop....

Hope I get some more input or an explanation, because it really :jerkit: badly.....

Thanks,
CZ
 
If you do a very slow slice through newsprint, can you feel any differences between the edge of the two RATs? Does one cut perceptibly smoother?

Just because you stropped then doesn't necessarily mean that the edges are similarly "toothy". It is quite possible to proceed through the grits and have some deeper teeth retained from the coarser grits. But this of course depends on how you sharpen, and may or may not apply to your blades.

If you have any kind or microscope or magnifying device you could try to see any difference in your edges with it.

Other than that I have no idea. Sorry
 
cz75b said:
I'm laying the knife with the edge on the t-shirts, and all I see is a very thin line were the edge was.....no cut at all.....:mad:

What am I doing wrong here?
Click to expand...

The edge is rounded, most likely too much force on the strop and/or the edge was not set correctly on the stones.

-Cliff
 
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