Can't Get My Endura Razor Sharp

J

JNieporte

Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
3,352
This is in refernce to an older Endura. The knife is one of the second genration models, with the pocket clip being held in via two large Phillips-head bolts, hollowed so that a lanyard could be passed through. Made in Seki City. Blade steel is ATS-55.

Anyway, I can't get it to shave hair. It has a hard time even cutting regular typing paper, using the same cutting technique and angle that I use for every other knife I own. I've used everything from a medium grit diamond to start out with, all the way down to an ultra-fine ceramic. I strop the finished product. I've even tried to eliminate the stropping, and the results are no better. I'm using an angle of about 13 to 15 degrees per side. I can't feel any burrs or anomalies; it just won't sharpen.

Any advice?
 
I have 25+ pocket knives and they all are shaving sharp... except for the longest time my waved Delica. I nearly stopped carrying it because it was not up to my "standards of sharp".

For me it wasn't the steel, my other VG-10 blades were wicked sharp (as are my ATS-55 knives). I ended up going with a DMT course then fine (I only use DMT to reprofile blades). I skipped the sharpmaker and went to the strop. I did this until I could get a rough shave out of the blade. After that she went razor sharp on the sharpmarker.

If your having problems with cutting paper then then doing all those extra steps with Fine or Ultra Fine stone are pointless. Save time and just focus on getting the initial angle right. Then you can polish the blade for the factory or better than factory edge.

Same trick worked later on my ZDP-189 Delica too, the dullest factory edge I have gotten from Spyderco.

Good luck, I know how maddening that ONE knife can be.



-Mat
 
I symathize with any one who has to reprofile a zsp blade, that is some hard stuff. I recomend getting a gatco sharpening kit for $30. you cant make a knife sharp with it, but the the stones a very rough and remove stock quickly. then hit it on the sharpmaker and you will have one fine blade.
 
If a Spyderco gets that dull, I always start with a DMT course diamond to reprofile the edge. Then decreasing grits until you polish. Hang in there, you will get it. Make sure to get a burr on one side before switching to the other side. At least thats how I've been doing it all these years for guys at work.
 
Got it sharp, thanks guys. I had to go back to the dogbone sharpener, then a ceramic rod. Then some 1000-grit sandpaper. Then a pencil eraser. Finished with a magazine cover. It shaves just fine now :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top