Bk 9 getting dull, quickly

J

justfighter

Joined
May 20, 2014
Messages
15
Well only disappointment with it so far is the speed its loosing blade, after couple of days of chopping random trees and cutting random stuff the stock blade lost some of it sharpness, so i had it sharpened because i had a hard afternoon ready for it...there was some wood and plastic cuting involved as we fitted a compressor in a boat compartment, i didnt fit but BK 9 MADE it fit, also did a hell of a job in cutting heat isolation rope and lots of hard stuff, anyway did a good job and i could stll cut of the top of 1.5l bottle full of water, a clean cut at the top. When i came home and i cleaned it i was dissaponted, although it retained the ability to chop, it lost ability to cut, i mean it chews through..eventually but nowhere near something you could call a sharp knife..is that normal for 1095, its my first, its easy to sharpen, have to give it that...
 
justfighter said:
there was some wood and plastic cuting involved as we fitted a compressor in a boat compartment, i didnt fit but BK 9 MADE it fit, also did a hell of a job in cutting heat isolation rope and lots of hard stuff, anyway did a good job and i could stll cut of the top of 1.5l bottle full of water
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Sounds like you used it hard and it just needs a touch up.
 
I touch up my 9 on some stones, it's pretty easy after you figure out the angle, use a black marker on the edge to see where your grinding metal.
 
Krav said:
I touch up my 9 on some stones, it's pretty easy after you figure out the angle, use a black marker on the edge to see where your grinding metal.
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Great advice, sometimes I use a red sharpie. I tell my wife thats so I don't see the blood when I nick a finger,
She says I'm sick :D
 
Diamonds remove a lot of material quickly. For 1095 it just needs a quick touch up. A strop is usually fine, but if its duller than that a fine stone for a few strokes will get it.
 
justfighter said:
how would V shaped diamond sharpeners work on it?
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I cringed when I read this. Sorry man, the V shaped sharpeners will TECHNICALLY work but it'll be like putting $55 tires on a Ferrari, it works, but absolutely nothing like its capable of.
The V sharpeners are at an angle that is general use and mostly intended for kitchen knives that will not see hard use. The edge will be thin and will be prone to rolling.


The best two options you have are to first, look for a sharpening stone at your local hardware store. Most are now carrying Gator Grit stones for under $10 and they make a pocket stone for around $3. They are excellent stones and I have one riding in my BK4's sheath pocket at all times.

The second option I recommend, is to buy a pack of auto-grade sand paper in the 400-800 grit range. Place a sheet on a mouse pad and draw (not push!) your blade at the intended angle across the paper. This will convex your bevel and give you a very sharp blade that will be resistant to chipping and rolling.


I convex all my Beckers (2,4,11 and 13). All of the take a phenomenal edge and hold it for what seems like forever. I regularly fillet fish and baton firewood with my BK11, often n the same day without any sharpening. It stays sharp and I can depend on it. In my opinion, convexing is the best "upgrade" you can possibly give your Becker knives.


Good luck on sharpening your BK9, whatever you go with. I hope you find something that works well for you!
 
new angle :)
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The steel is 1095 cro van and takes an edge well and is fairly easy to sharpen. I have sharpened mine in the field with different options over the years. Some times I use a DMT stone, wet stone, or strope. Any of these methods will bring it back to life so long as you do your part and you should have much of a problem with it. If memory serves me the BK9 has a 20 degree angle...if you change the edge geometry to change the cutting performance of the knife so I would stick with the manufactures specs for general use. Once you get it sharpened and get comfortable with the knife, you will not be disappointed in the long run. I would suspect that many others on this forum would say the same.
CC
 
I use one of those blade clamping sharpening systems with the 20 and 25 degree options. Works great in maintaining the 20 degree angle of the edge.
 
Be very careful about reducing the angle of the edge on your 9. I dropped mine from 20º down to 15º and found that the edge chipped quite a bit when chopping hard wood. I had to re-convex the edge back to 20º . I strongly recommend a convexed edge @ 20º or a little wider.
 
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