Can't Sharpen My Police

J

jackblade

Joined
Oct 27, 2007
Messages
4
Hi everybody. I'm new here and pretty much a complete novice. Here's my situation: Got a Police PE VG-10. It was fairly sharp out of the box, but not amazing. Then I got a Duckfoot and gently tried to sharpen it up. No improvement--in fact maybe a bit worse. I've done my best to read up on technique (I do have some experience sharpening chisels). What should I do (besides getting smarter?).

My Manix S30V is unbelievably sharp out of the box, as is my Benchmade 940 S30V. Anyone care to begin my education? Thanks!

By the way: any opinions on 1) the Benchmade Apparition, and 2) the best steel for the Spyderco Military?
 
The basic keys to knife sharpening are to match the angle of the stone to the angle of the edge, raise a burr and properly remove the burr.

To start, you might try painting the edge of you Police with a Sharpie and then making a dry pass over the stone. If the ink is removed over the entire edge, the angle is correct. If not, you know that your sharpening angle is your problem.

Spyderco has put some awesome steels in the Military. I don't think you can go wrong with S30V, BG-42 or the new CPM-D2.
 
welcome jackblade. how about filling out your profile a little more. sometimes it helps to have it filled out. what are you using to sharpen your knives with?
 
Looks like I'll be getting out my sharpie... I've been using the Duckfoot. Frankly, I'm starting to think it is a decent way to touch up a blade on the go, but maybe not the best all around sharpening tool. So I'm looking at the Sharpmaker and also diamond stones. Any thoughts?

Does VG-10 have any unique challenges to sharpening? I believe the Police is hollow-ground with a micro-edge?? Thanks for the advice so far.
 
VG-10 has never posed any special problems for me. I have one of the Duckfoot sharpeners, and frankly I find it nearly useless. Perhaps I have spent too many years free hand sharpening on benchstones to get used to that contraption, but I just find it very awkward to use.


The Police is a hollow saber grind, with an edge bevel around 30 degrees inclusive from the factory. As far as I know, final sharpening is done by hand, so the angle varies a bit.
 
Any system will give you a sharp knife if your technique is correct, although some will take longer than others and some will be more difficult to use. If you are not getting your knife sharp using any stone system, the problem is most likely your technique.

The first thing to check is your sharpening angle. Did you check to see if you are sharpening at the correct angle for your edge?
 
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