Chisel ground blade.. Questions!

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Shawn7656

Joined
Feb 15, 2012
Messages
370
I just bought a Leatherman Style CS today. It's a fun little knife and I'm going to EDC it on work days (and probably leave it on my keychain otherwise) but I don't really like the chisel grind on the blade.

I was wondering if it would be stupid to give this thing a flat grind. If it's not out of the question, what would be my best route as far as getting the blade symmetrical? I've heard the 440HC on this thing is hard to sharpen.

If I leave it with a chisel grind, can I get some tips on sharpening it properly? I read through a couple threads but I didn't really get any good in-depth answers and Google wasn't bringing up anything too helpful either. I want this thing nice and sharp if it's going to be in my pocket.


While I'm at it, even though it's off topic, is cutting sandpaper really the best method of sharpening scissors? As they're the main tool on the Style CS I feel I should know how to keep them in top shape.

Thanks in advance guys!
 
I got a Leatherman Squirt PS4 just 2 days ago! And I was thinking the same thing. I was going to just start sharpening away on the opposite side of the grind! I'm going to subscribe and wait for someone to answer too.
 
The steel is actually 420HC, I believe. That would be the same as Case's Tru-Sharp (which is 420HC, by another name), or Buck's steel of choice in their production knives. It's pretty easy to sharpen up; much easier than 440C usually is.

If you really do want a symmetrical V-bevel, I'd just do as suggested above, and start grinding a new bevel on the opposite side. A guided system would be best for that, as freehanding an entirely new bevel can be a challenge for many. In grinding the other half of the v-bevel, the existing bevel on the primary side will become narrower (and the edge angle becomes more obtuse). If you want the inclusive edge angle to remain the same as with the chisel grind, it'll be necessary to grind a more acute bevel on the primary side also. Long story short, there's a lot of work to do. Just make sure you really want to do it.
 
Shawn7656 said:
... If I leave it with a chisel grind, can I get some tips on sharpening it properly? I read through a couple threads but I didn't really get any good in-depth answers and Google wasn't bringing up anything too helpful either. I want this thing nice and sharp if it's going to be in my pocket.

While I'm at it, even though it's off topic, is cutting sandpaper really the best method of sharpening scissors? As they're the main tool on the Style CS I feel I should know how to keep them in top shape.

Thanks in advance guys!
Click to expand...

What sharpening tools do you currently have (if any)?

I'm thinking cutting sandpaper may not be the best way to sharpen scissors. As with any scissor-related tasks, cutting more abrasive material is much more likely to dull them, eventually.
 
I haven't bought any new stuff yet sadly :(
I've only got a soft Arkansas, a DMT Diafold Fine, and a super crap oilstone (not sure of the grit) that's 6x2. Along with a strop

EDIT: I'm not sure why but when I sharpened the blade on my Style CS I kept it at factory angle... I wonder why I did that... Maybe it'd help if I lowered it a bit haha. It feels like the angle is almost around 30º on each side... I think I'll lower it down to 20 or so tomorrow night and see if I like working with the edge a bit more.

If not maybe I'll buy a cheap guide and give it a flat grind. Thanks for the tips OWE, again :)
 
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