Cant get the first half of my ZT0566 sharp with spyderco sharpmaker

S

SBaker34

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
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793
Beat the knife up a little on some wood and cardboard, edge was still acceptable but not shaving so I decided to sharpen it, the I would say final 1/3rd of the blade was brought back to shaving sharp, but after 30 minutes I still couldn't get the dullest part to do more than cut the occasional hair and slice paper if careful.

Is elmax just not playing nice with me, or is the first half of the blade slightly obtuse? I tried the sharpie method but couldn't really tell. I should probably pick up the diamond rods anyway, but would they perhaps be worth giving a try? I would normally blame technique but in other knives the base of the blade usually ends up the sharpest for me, and I got my leatherman charge tti blade razor sharp the entire blade length.

the sharpmaker seems to work fine for other knives as mentioned.
 
Try wrapping the rods with sandpaper. The issue is probably that you aren't starting low enough, as you guessed. Sandpaper is a cheap fix.
 
I am going to say technique is probably the issue. If you where hitting the bevel you should have been removing the sharpie on the bevel which is quite easy to tell as there is no sharpie there anymore. If you have to adjust the angle you hold the knife at to hit the bevel.

The angle of the bevel may be off and/or your technique which may be more likely as you say you can usually get 1 part of the knives you sharpen sharper than the rest. Either way reapply the sharpie and adjust your angle accordingly if you have to so you remove the sharpie from the bevel and check this often, you should be removing the sharpie on the sharpie evenly across the knife if your hitting the bevel right.

It is also possible the angle of the bevel changes on certain parts of the blade so until you reprofile it you may have to change your angle with it as well to sharpen it properly.
 
Spent another half hour with the medium stones, managed to hit it shaving and pushcutting notebook paper sharp. Am happy, and faith in sharpmaker and myself is restored.
 
Great, glad to hear it.
I always say it is a good idea to have a diamond stone on hand to set an even 40 or 30 degree bevel when you get a knife.
Then from there. It is so easy to get a wicked sharp edge.
 
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