Can't sharpen knife-More dull after sharpening?

T

Tbetty

Joined
Feb 3, 2016
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4
Hello guys! I'm new to the forum, and I have a problem sharpening my knife. I'm using a Norton 3 stone system, oilstones, and have a few problems. I can't develop a burr on my knife no matter what I do on the coarse stone. I'm using about a 20-25 degree angle consistently, and I've done the sharpie test and am hitting the edge of the blade not behind it. It's a kershaw volt SS, and after I sharpened it it came out even more dull than when I started. I sat for at least an hour trying to sharpen this thing! Help!! Thanks!!
 
Wire burr maybe? What are you using as a test of sharp or not?
 
Currently my finger and shaving hair off of my arm, i can normally shave a little hair off but this knife won't cut anything. And I know I'm definitely grinding the knife down to the apex, but a burr just will not form
 
You should not need to use the coarse grits unless you are re-profiling or the edge is damaged. I would just pay more attention with the fine grit, checking often the edge, and keep on working on it. I'd work on one side until there is a burr and then work on the other knowing that you are having some effect at that point. Then go easy and perhaps go with a finer grit.

I have a BK-24 that I can't get as sharp as I would like and I am very comfortable sharpening knives by hand.
 
The sharpie is wearing away evenly across the entire blade edge length? You aren't suffering from an uneven edge are ya? I find that a nightmare on getting sharp and i always end up having to reprofile to solve it.
 
Yes, the sharpie wore away evenly, and deadbox hero i was working with that knife for at least an hour and could see the edge being ground away, the burr would just not form
 
Actually I only ever got a burr with one of my knives. Still they are all sharp and shave cleanly.
I'm using the apex edge pro.
As long as it's sharp I wouldn't worry. But you are saying it doesn't cut anything?
 
Work on the stone for a bit, just a few minutes, higher angle, light pressure, like your creating a micro bevel. Then strop It for about ten minutes preferably on plain leather, but denim will work just fine. Report back here when your done. [emoji41] lol.
 
I have found that sometimes, and this was on a kershaw, that softer metals create more of a burr more quickly, as I am used to super steels, that it would create such a big burr, it would actually roll to the other side and if you checked it with your finger, you would not feel one unless you angled your finger on the underside of the blade and move it from the spine to the edge.
That one little knife took me about an hour and a half to get sharp (reprofile job)
 
You're probably not consistent enough on your angle. The tiniest fluctuation and you'll never get it sharp. I believe knife sharpening on a stone is god given talent, something I don't have. You should look into a guided sharpening system, or what I do is double-back tape sandpaper to 3 mousepads 400,1000 and 2500 grit
Works great for me
 
Hey guys! So I re-sharpened, got it to hair cut sharp finally. I had to drop my hand to steepen the angle of sharpening and really took my time, not rushing it. Spent more time on the finer grit stones and it really helped! Thanks to all who replied and helped me figure out what I was doing wrong!
 
hermit dave said:
You're probably not consistent enough on your angle. The tiniest fluctuation and you'll never get it sharp. I believe knife sharpening on a stone is god given talent, something I don't have. You should look into a guided sharpening system, or what I do is double-back tape sandpaper to 3 mousepads 400,1000 and 2500 grit
Works great for me
Click to expand...
can you use your hands to drink a glass of water without spilling it all over yourself? That is all the talent required.


But freehand is overrated, just need a stick at the edge of a table
Paul Sellers Knife Sharpening System
DSC_00821.jpg

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Tbetty said:
Hey guys! So I re-sharpened, got it to hair cut sharp finally. I had to drop my hand to steepen the angle of sharpening and really took my time, not rushing it. Spent more time on the finer grit stones and it really helped! Thanks to all who replied and helped me figure out what I was doing wrong!
Click to expand...
Did you get a burr this time or did it just get sharp without one?
 
There's some sort of inconsistent advice in this thread IMHO. No insult intended to anyone posting. I just don't think there is a clear picture being presented of what the process really is. I'm glad the OP got his blade sharp though!

This isn't exactly a beginner's guide to sharpening, but I think my Seven Secrets Of Sharpening is very consistent and contains a some good information. Maybe you'll find it useful.

Brian.
 
bucketstove said:
can you use your hands to drink a glass of water without spilling it all over yourself? That is all the talent required.


But freehand is overrated, just need a stick at the edge of a table
Paul Sellers Knife Sharpening System
Click to expand...

I like how that system is based on algebra. But it pick a nit, if the side of a normal blade is laid flat on the block like your picture shows, the resulting angle is less than the stated angle which isn't a bad thing in and off itself.
 
Rey HRH said:
I like how that system is based on algebra. But it pick a nit, if the side of a normal blade is laid flat on the block like your picture shows, the resulting angle is less than the stated angle which isn't a bad thing in and off itself.
Click to expand...
Yup, that is correct, if the blades are not flat, the angle will be different .... so if you want exact angle matching you can use sharpie/marker trick
 
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