Factory ESEE knife edges

Most all knife makers use a belt sanders and buffer of some sort to sharpen. Typical belt grit around 120 grit.
 
From the ESEE website:

What is the sharpening angle on ESEE knives?

The edges on all of our knives are applied by hand. We do our best to maintain a 20 degree (per side) edge angle but due to the hand application, they may vary slightly. We suggest using a Spyderco Sharpmaker for general edge maintenance or a flat diamond hone.

All of the ESEE's I own have come with great, very sharp edges.
 
jwaj, thats the same info I've found. I guess I'm curious as to what "by hand" means. There's a ton of sharpening methods.

I would agree, all my ESEE's have come with very sharp edges too. I just got my ESEE-3 in the mail (plain edge, green blade, orange G10 grips, rounded pommel) and it is no exception - sharp.
 
By hand= they hold the blade in-hand while grinding on a belt.
 
Wow. That is an impressive factory. Wow.

As for their edges. They are some of the best, most consitent factory edges in the business...way more consistent that my other most favorite knife company, Spyderco. However, I find the 40 degree bevel to be a little obtuse with a pretty severe shoulder. Sharp as a razor mind you...but a little obtuse. I have reprofiled all my ESEEs (including my 5 which I should not have) down to 27.5 degree inclusive. Then I have put either a 30 or a 40 degree microbevel back on each one. That get's you better efficiency at slicing and whittling and that 1095 is done so well by Rowen that it's very durable even at 30 degrees. I would not ask ESEE or Rowen to change a thing mind you. They do great. But I like to customize my bevels. I do that to all my Spydercos, and all other brands as well.

Best, most consistent factory edges in that business price point and probably way better than many more expensive knives at that. Supurb factory edges.
 
Yeah, that is a good looking place. With all those knives sitting there I can hear the old rock song "money" playing with the cash registers chiming. Then I look at the serial number of the Izula there 22,110. That's a LOT - and just of the one model.

I'd be curious what their production rate is.
 
HoosierQ - I recently picked up a Wicked Edge system and will have to try that formula on my ESEE 4.
 
My ESEE 4 came with a beautiful edge,too bad everything I sharpen over time turns into a semi convex.This isn't a bad thing,I just hate loosing that factory goodness.
 
I've been touching up my ESEE Candiru by hand, but I decided to put it on the Edge Pro yesterday and the factory bevel was very close to 20 degrees per side. A slight difference at the tip and at the tang.
 
My ESEE 4 came with a beautiful edge,too bad everything I sharpen over time turns into a semi convex.This isn't a bad thing,I just hate loosing that factory goodness.

No worries there man. Ultimately, that semi convex you get from hand sharpening over time just makes the edge that much stronger. There have been very few knives that had factory edges that really suited me. The ESEEs would have but that 1095 is fun to work with. My Spyderco Military is just too sharp to change as is.
 
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