Did I make a mistake?

[seanuhthin]

I ordered a sharp maker thinking it would be perfect, but now I am hearing stuff about re-profiling RAT knives to use them with it. Any ideas on this? I am confused

 

[Mr .44 Spl]

I use a Sharpmaker with my Izula, and it seems to work just fine.
I use 40° (inclusive) side, and can get it back to shaving sharp quite easily.
And I'm no magician when it comes to sharpening. If you're a novice like me it seems like the perfect thing to use. There will always be those people that tell you what you're using isn't good enough. :jerkit: Let 'em yammer on while you enjoy your knife.

 

[Josh K]

Reprofile if you want 30* inclusive, otherwise you should be fine sharpening at 40*.

Grab a set of the Diamond rods if you are going to try for 30* though.

 

[seanuhthin]

What is the whole inclusive thing?

 

[Josh K]

What is the whole inclusive thing?

30* inclusive is 15* per side. 40* inclusive is 20* per side.

 

[AR-Trvlr]

30* inclusive is 15* per side. 40* inclusive is 20* per side.

What is the difference in how they function? I'm guessing that the 30* inclusive makes for a finer, but more fragile edge? The 40* inclusive is a sturdier edge?

 

[monk3yfist]

the sharpmaker is great to have around, but I agree about the diamond stones. It will save you a lot of time when reprofiling or repairing a damaged edge.

 

[kgd]

Okay, don't sweat it at first. The sharpmaker is really, really good. It is by far the best crotch stick type of system out there and it will do fine keeping your knives sharp. There are ways to improve sharpening beyond the sharpmaker but how sharp your knife needs to be versus how sharp it can be are too very different things. Also folks tend to thin out their blades for optimal slicing performance at the sacrifice of edge robustness. There is a trade off and the trade off that is best for you is something you are better off to figure out.

When I started to getting all into sharpening, and it can be very addictive, I started to thin out my edges too much and they just wouldn't last all that long. Now what I like to do is convex my V-grinds by knocking off the bevels but keeping the same 20 degree inclusive angles at the very edge. To me this gives a good tradeoff where removal of the bevel increases slicing but does not impact the edge retention characteristics. Also using this approach I still use my sharp maker for touch ups while I use the mousepad/sandpaper and strops for the conversion.

Again, you can go down lots of roads to improve your sharpening skills, but you will still very likely use the sharpmaker even when you progress to other methods and techniques. It is a good buy. Also, if you don't want to go down all those roads you will have a system that in all likelihood will fully meet your needs.

Whittling hair is impressive, but not in the least bit necessary for regular knife use. Shaving hair and push cutting paper are attributes that can be easily attained with the sharpmaker and truly this is as sharp as you ever really need your knife to be.

 

[gga357]

You didn't go wrong.

 

[Josh K]

What is the difference in how they function? I'm guessing that the 30* inclusive makes for a finer, but more fragile edge? The 40* inclusive is a sturdier edge?

Yes, but the 1095 in Rat's is anything but fragile.

 

[Dizwolf]

I got a sharpmaker about a month and a half ago. I've done all my larger knives at 30* without a problem. The izula coating made that difficult, but it works fine at 40*. I'd say it's a fairly safe bet that you can sharpern all your knives at 40*, and be very happy.

Reprofiling is just if you want or need things to be stupid sharp.

 

[onado2000]

The Rat cutlery knife you bought is sharp, of course, out of the box, so keep it that way with your sharpmaker. If you want to know about reprofiling, read alot of threads and input before you do it, you cant get the steel back on the knife once you take it off.

 

[TrailWolf]

My sharpmaker at 40* gets my rats hair popping sharp - I dont use the 30* side.

Don't fret - the sharpmaker is perfect :thumbup:

I wouldnt worry about reprofiling - the V grind is great for all around use and easy to maintain.

 

[seanuhthin]

Thanks everyone, I have over-posted about this topic and other stuff, I have my answers

 

[R.A.T.]

Thanks everyone, I have over-posted about this topic and other stuff, I have my answers

You're good, dude. Just needed to learn the ropes around here a bit. No one is upset. We appreciate you being here.

Jeff

 

[seanuhthin]

Thanks Jeff, no problem.

 

[R.A.T.]

BTW: before I removed that thread I did take a look at your photos. You're an awesome photographer. You should post that link up in the right forum because it's really good work.

Jeff

 

[seanuhthin]

Wow thanks, Yeah I'll post them up. Amazingly they are all taken in Florida. I'm only about 15, so honestly I don't get to just drive to exotic places and forests. I would if I could though. 1 year

 

[R.A.T.]

Does me good to see young folks your age getting involved in the outdoors. Keep it up. Keep practicing and keep experiencing the outdoors!

 

[seanuhthin]

I definitely am. (trying too) I have been reading a popular SAS book and building up my technique for snares and bush craft and stuff but sadly I have no tool to get all this done. So on and so forth there is the reasoning for all my speculation.