hey guys I just put a convex edge on my ontario rat 3(1095 steel) using different grits of sand paper and mouse pad. I can see the progress because the flat straight edge is turning into a rolling edge and I have been going at it for awhile. My only problem is that it does not seem as sharp as it was before. What am I doing wrong? I am getting that convex shape but not the convex sharpness. When I try cutting news paper it seems like its gripping the paper more than ever. Any tips will be appreciated. Should I go back to the 60 grit again and work my way to finer grits?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
finally put a convex edge but not as sharp
- Thread starter kevshin21
- Start date
In my minimal experience, it’s more difficult to get a precise, sharp edge doing convex. I think it’s just that it’s harder to get the planes to meet as precisely, and to make the edge of equal cross section throughout its length. I have had most success putting a flat micro bevel on a convex edge, it seems to even everything out more. What grits of paper are you using?
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,523
Kevshin21,
Making sure that you completely remove the marks from the previous grit, and that the edge is indeed fully meeting from both sides of the knife, progress from your 220 grit to 320, 400, 600, 1000 or 1200, 1500, 2000,(you can get even finer from www.leevalley.com) then strop with CrO2. I bet that your knife will now slice through newsprint like a hot knife through butter. 220 grit is kind of coarse for the final finish.
Making sure that you completely remove the marks from the previous grit, and that the edge is indeed fully meeting from both sides of the knife, progress from your 220 grit to 320, 400, 600, 1000 or 1200, 1500, 2000,(you can get even finer from www.leevalley.com) then strop with CrO2. I bet that your knife will now slice through newsprint like a hot knife through butter. 220 grit is kind of coarse for the final finish.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Messages
- 3,536
Convex really starts to shine over 600. I use convex edges on my work beater (put on and maintained with a Norton medium or a medium bastard file) for strength, and my EDC (put on and maintained with 2000 grit paper) for razor-clean cuts.
It can do both, you just need the right grits.
It can do both, you just need the right grits.
What he said. Try finer grits, its no different than regular flat bevel sharpening in that regard, you need to have equivalent to a finishing grit and a progression of grits to that point. Or like I said, you can put flat micro bevel on with regular stones after your done convexing it. You also might be rolling the edge over too much, ending up with too obtuse of an edge.
Thats the beauty of doing a convex edge- there is no set point, eventually the edge will crawl up twards the spine, yes spending more time would yeild more material removal, but honestly I moved up in grit because it was sharp.
The more and more I use and sharpen the more it will reveal a thinner edge,
The reality that you have to accept is- your trying to put on a convex edge, NOT a convex grind.
Hang in there, the more you try the easier it will get, maybe try on a thinner blade, like a paring knife?
Hope this helps,
Mike
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 1,670
Nothing wrong with adding a microbevel to a convex edge using a Sharpmaker or fine stone, if that's easier for you. Many of us do this, and you see it on certain well-known factory convex edges, Fallkniven and Opinel for example.