Best angle for multiple steels

M

McCleaven

Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
161
I read the very thorough sticky on sharpening and what it means, but now I have a question about what I read. Different steels can handle different edges, but which one for which?
Example: I have a CRK Umnumzaan (S35vn), which CRK recommends using 18-20 degree. First, without a loupe or anything, how can I guarantee I am getting that angle? Second, can s35vn take a 15 degree? S30v can.
Here are a list of steels I have with a description of how I use the knife. If I could get some of the more edumacated individuals out there to help me find my answer, it would be much appreciated. To clarify, looking to find angle, which angle to use, and grit to hone to.

1. D2 (field knives, heavy duty work, BM 710, and adamas fixed and folder)
2. 154cm (on a BM rift that I have customized. Not as "tactical" as it used to be...more like a nice sports car now. Light/medium duty work)
3. S35vn (main EDC. Every day tasks, but I like to show off with it. Want to be able to cut air with it ;) Umnumzaan )
4. S30v (para 2, not carried much, but a medium use knife as well)
5. AUS 8 (want this to be a pocket scalpel if possible) CRKT sampa
6. 14c28n (love this steel. Kershaw got it right. Again, pocket scalpel on this one if possible) Blur

Thanks in advance. I've been around the forums for years, was a newb for a long time, but now I am finally trying to learn.

Edit: I have a sharpmaker with diamond, medium, fine, and ultra fine, and another system, not a lansky but similar function and higher grade...can't remember the name (I think it starts with an "m" and is in a black case....ceramics, not diamond). I am typing this on my phone in bed. Not getting up to check the name now.... (lazy)
 
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McCleaven said:
I read the very thorough sticky on sharpening and what it means, but now I have a question about what I read. Different steels can handle different edges, but which one for which?
Example: I have a CRK Umnumzaan (S35vn), which CRK recommends using 18-20 degree. First, without a loupe or anything, how can I guarantee I am getting that angle? Second, can s35vn take a 15 degree? S30v can.
Here are a list of steels I have with a description of how I use the knife. If I could get some of the more edumacated individuals out there to help me find my answer, it would be much appreciated. To clarify, looking to find angle, which angle to use, and grit to hone to.

1. D2 (field knives, heavy duty work, BM 710, and adamas fixed and folder)
2. 154cm (on a BM rift that I have customized. Not as "tactical" as it used to be...more like a nice sports car now. Light/medium duty work)
3. S35vn (main EDC. Every day tasks, but I like to show off with it. Want to be able to cut air with it ;) Umnumzaan )
4. S30v (para 2, not carried much, but a medium use knife as well)
5. AUS 8 (want this to be a pocket scalpel if possible) CRKT sampa
6. 14c28n (love this steel. Kershaw got it right. Again, pocket scalpel on this one if possible) Blur

Thanks in advance. I've been around the forums for years, was a newb for a long time, but now I am finally trying to learn.

Edit: I have a sharpmaker with diamond, medium, fine, and ultra fine, and another system, not a lansky but similar function and higher grade...can't remember the name (I think it starts with an "m" and is in a black case....ceramics, not diamond). I am typing this on my phone in bed. Not getting up to check the name now.... (lazy)
Click to expand...

The only way to know for sure what the angle is is to measure it with a tool like an angle cube, or smartphone app.

My experience with most of your knives is very limited. These are just my opinion based on what your descriptions of use mean to me. I also don't mind experimenting and fixing the occasional roll/chip.

1. 30° inclusive

2. 30° inclusive

3. Choose an angle on the SM and run with it. I'd microbevel 30° personally.

4. 28° inclusive, but I had some chipping issues on my Native. Not sure how a Para2 would handle it.

5. Pocket scalpel? I keep my CS mini tuff lite at 25°, but I use it primarily to carve soft wood. Even then I get some rolling, but I love it at this level of sharpness. Great budget steel.

6. No idea. Never owned that steel from that maker.

Obviously I find 30º to be a great middle ground. It's, from what I've seen, more acute than the typical production knifes factory edge, but nearly everything I've tried can support it.

Experiment with your edges. It's fun and teaches you a lot about your knives.

Oh and get a loupe. It's amazing what you'll see under such low magnification.
 
Only a few (re: high end, often pm, always very hard) steels will hold a good edge past 30 degrees, but you will never find a steel that cant hold a good edge at 40. I just sharpened an izula with a 30 degree primary and 40 degree microbevel. It whittles hair now, but when i was setting the bevel at 30, there was a wire edge that just wouldnt go away. The 30/40 combination works best for me in general, from 1095 to m390, but ymmv

EDIT:
You seem hung up on the angle. A 40 degree bevel finished properly and stropped to .5 microns or beyond will outperform a more acute angle that isnt finished right. How far you can go with finishes is also steel dependent. Eg, there's no point finishing a d2 blade past 1 micron because the carbides are so big, but cpm d2 can keep going as far as you like. Keep this in mind and hone the blade to the finest polish it will take, you will notice it behaving "sharper" than just taking it to a keener angle.
 
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Strigamort said:
The only way to know for sure what the angle is is to measure it with a tool like an angle cube, or smartphone app.

My experience with most of your knives is very limited. These are just my opinion based on what your descriptions of use mean to me. I also don't mind experimenting and fixing the occasional roll/chip.

1. 30° inclusive

2. 30° inclusive

3. Choose an angle on the SM and run with it. I'd microbevel 30° personally.

4. 28° inclusive, but I had some chipping issues on my Native. Not sure how a Para2 would handle it.

5. Pocket scalpel? I keep my CS mini tuff lite at 25°, but I use it primarily to carve soft wood. Even then I get some rolling, but I love it at this level of sharpness. Great budget steel.

6. No idea. Never owned that steel from that maker.

Obviously I find 30º to be a great middle ground. It's, from what I've seen, more acute than the typical production knifes factory edge, but nearly everything I've tried can support it.

Experiment with your edges. It's fun and teaches you a lot about your knives.

Oh and get a loupe. It's amazing what you'll see under such low magnification.
Click to expand...

I've yet to find a steel that couldn't hold 30 inclusive and perhaps a bit under. Trouble starts in my experience when you much lower than that, though most steels will hold up down to 25-26 when used for regular utility chores.
 
Thank you all for the information! Does anyone know what the manufactures say which angle they recommend for their steels? I understand stropping it and all of that jazz, but the highest I can go is 2k, due to only having a UF stone for my SM. I want to use each steel to its maximum potential.
 
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