Big Blades = How Sharp?

Tyrkon Lawson

Tyrkon Lawson

Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
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I have been using the heck out of my BM-E. After I usually just wash it with warm water and soap and the DCBB blade is back to perfect. Then I usualy lightly strop it with some 1000-1500 grit sand paper. This gets its asymetrical, convex blade back to almost shaving sharp. Almost.

Since this is my designated BIG chopper blade and prybar would it be wise to bring it to a "hair popping" edge? I have refrained from doing so for fear of weakening the edge by making it too thin. It's not a skinner after all.

What do you guys think and or do to your BIG blades.

Thanks! :)
 
I get a toothy edge on mine, but I usually don't do as much woodwork as a lot of people who own these knives do. I usually stop on the sharpmaker medium stones or about 400-600 grit benchstones.
 
I like this thread.

I've wondered the same thing.

A lot of my big choppers have pretty convex grinds.

Seems like on convex grinds (well, symmetrical ones anyway) I can't get the same hair popping results with my leather as I can on an assymetric or flat/hollow grind. Is that typical, or just need more practice?


(Kill this if it's too close to a hijack!)
 
just keep lowering the angle and sharpening as high as you want till it damages too easily for your tastes, doesn't have to be an all or nothing change :)
 
If you want to try a more polished edge, try a strop loaded with 3 or 6 micron diamond paste after the sandpaper and it will be shaving sharp (mix the diamond paste with Handamerican CrO2 gel - it lubes the strop and spreads much easier). For like $35 I got enough leather and paste from Handamerican to last me a loooong time. For less $ try finishing with an old belt and some buffing compound. On the asymetrical edge I strop almost like I'm sharpening a chisel grind - almost flat on the left side and raised more on the right.
I enjoy doing it, and have sharp, polished, convex edges on most of my choppers.
 
I sharpen all my knives big or small to a razor. With that said cutting angles are set for the desired chores of the knife. If the blade is going to see hard use these blades have a steeper angle. Some of my large knives do meat cutting tasks and such so the angle on these are finer much like the small light task knives.
 
jandry902 said:
Seems like on convex grinds (well, symmetrical ones anyway) I can't get the same hair popping results with my leather as I can on an assymetric or flat/hollow grind.
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Many methods of applying convex grinds tend to round the edge, stropping with a lot of force does this readily for example.

Tyrkon Lawson said:
Since this is my designated BIG chopper blade and prybar would it be wise to bring it to a "hair popping" edge?
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If you can do it readily sure. It will be more durable, not less, as it is made sharper. The angle of course is adjusted to the scope of work.

-Cliff
 
All my Large choppers are hair popping silly sharp. And even full power strokes will not demage the edge.

Get-em-Sharp, Git-R-Done:D

Cheers,

André

Choptesttwo3.jpg


ScagelForesttestprecisionchopdone.jpg
 
My 2 SFNO's are also hair-popping sharp. I use them both alot and have no damage to the edge after using them. From time to time I'll strop them.
 
The sharper the better.

I got frustrated with the half convex half flat grind on my SHE, so I used the sharpie method to get the angle of the flat grind dialed in to my Edgepro, turned it over, and ground out the convex with this flat. The edge isn't centered, but it wasn't before. I figure I'll try to do most of my sharpening on one side until I bring it back to center.

You should see how long the edge lasts when I take it up to the 3000 grit tapes!
 
Sodak, good idea. I have an EdgePro and so far I use it on the flat side and the sandpaper/mousepad method on the other. For my BA-E I used it on both sides and it is always scary sharp.

Well it looks like I have a little work to do tonight. Not much though. Thanks for the responses guys. More welcomed.

500jefferyDK: This is unrelated but who makes the Kukri style knife pictured above? I've been looking for something like that. Very nice.

Thanks again all.
 
500jefferyDK: This is unrelated but who makes the Kukri style knife pictured above? I've been looking for something like that. Very nice.
Click to expand...

The Kukri is made by Cold Steel, 5/16" thick carbon V and scary sharp. One of the best Kukries IMO. Cold Steel does not make this thick satin version any more :grumpy: maybe you can get one on ebay or one this forum.

Cheers,

André
 
What type of edge do you guys maintain on your big blades? Some of you guys have answered this already in the posts above. I know some people do not want to hassle with a convex and will simple put a "V" edge or other... I have an asymetrical edge on my BM-E. I use an edge pro on the flat side and sandpaper/mouse pad on the convex side. Very sharp now.

Thanks for the responses. :)
 
With the mousepad and stropping compound or sandpaper do you drag the edge at a constant angle and let the pad conform to the shape or do you rock the blade anyway?
 
Dante: When I use the "mouse pad/sandpaper" method I drag the edge at a constant angle and let the pad conform to the shape. But the key for me has been pressure. I used to apply way to much pressure and kept dulling the edge. So I have learned to take it "nice and slow". A few passes at a time and then check the edge. Repeat. That's worked for me thus far.
 
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