First Time - Paper Wheels

brizbane · May 21, 2009

Got a set of 10 inch Razor Sharp wheels several months ago with encouragement from RichardJ and used 'em for first time today. All I can say is "WOW".

I practiced on a coupla knives and then cautiously got out my new Spyderco Military. I thought the factory edge was pretty sharp and I have been very happy using this knife as my EDC. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

I gave it a few passes on the slotted wheel and now it is AMAZING SHARP (for me anyway), like NO COMPARISON to the factory edge!

I am still not real comfortable after about seven knives but what ever I am doing seems to be working pretty good. I'm not too good at judging the angles so I am going by intuition and how the knife "feels" as I apply it to the wheel.

So, any hints from you guys would be appreciated. I may drop richardj a line as he is a good dude and may have some pointers.

richard j · May 21, 2009

read my tips thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608864

THG · May 21, 2009

Could you take a pic of your setup?

SPXTrader · May 21, 2009

One thing I do, and if memory serves me correctly, Richard does it too, is I've turned my grinder 180 degrees on the bench. This way the wheels are turning up from the bottom and away from me at the top. That means I can work on the very top of the wheel, and it helps with keeping the angle constant. Its easier to eyeball...

Them things are the bomb, aren't they? :thumbup:

gunmike1 · May 21, 2009

SPXTrader said:
One thing I do, and if memory serves me correctly, Richard does it too, is I've turned my grinder 180 degrees on the bench. This way the wheels are turning up from the bottom and away from me at the top. That means I can work on the very top of the wheel, and it helps with keeping the angle constant. Its easier to eyeball...

Them things are the bomb, aren't they? :thumbup:

That is how I'm going to use my wheels now. I have been getting good results looking straight down at the wheels to get my angles, and I have been getting edges that at worst shave really smooth and at best tree top hair. I think sitting down and holding the knife parallel to the table to set my angle will be better for me. I am avoiding high Vanadium steel like the plague and I might start setting up my wheels pointing out of my garage to avoid inhaling too much steel dust, as my garage has no way of setting up an exhaust fan (townhouse). Once I get REALLY comfortable with my angles I'll try my good folders on the wheels, but I have extremely high standards for my folders and until I can consistently get the super thin angles I like on my practice knives I will be using the wheels for kitchen knives and freinds and family knives that do fine at 15-20 degrees per side. I have found SAK's, Forchners, and Tojiro knives get the sharpest for me, while Wustofs, cheap 440A, and various made in China steels don't get very sharp for me, merely shaving smooth. I need to get on my PC and off ofmy iPhone to watch more of Richard's videos to get my technique better. My grit wheel also looks like the grit is almost gone (not just because the wax has filled it in either, so maybe I need to PM Richard again for more pointers). All told I am really happy with the wheels, and once I get my angle control better I will try my good folders on them. Avoiding the steel dust is a concern still, but I'll figure out something and avoid the high Vanadium steels on the wheels until I get that straightened out.

Mike

richard j · May 21, 2009

i have my wheels rotating counterclockwise as i'm looking at the right side of the wheel and i have the blade held at the 1:00 position with the edge facing me. this way i can make sure i'm holding the blade paralell to the wheel and at the angle i want. holding the blade so the spine is up and edge down makes it hard to tell if you're square with the wheel or too high or low on the blade. you can also see when the burr forms and if its forming the full length of the blade.

chuckinohio · May 22, 2009

I also run my wheels so that they are rotating towards when as I am in front of the motor.
I work on the top of the wheel at around the 1 o'clock or adjust as needed for the desired edge angle.
Dust off of the wheels is a concern, so a respirator is in order if you are a heavy mouth breather like moi

Working on the top of the wheel edge towards you is the easiest way to see your burr form bar none. Use a good light overhead at the 1 o'clock position and watch your shadow line as you come down onto the wheel and it's almost magical.
I wear safety glasses and a respirator, because I find that being right down on my work helps my control, and leads to better results. With the wheels running towards me and my work at the 1 o'clock, my head is right at 10 or 11 to see my edge as I work the wheel. This position also helps me greatly to keep my work square to the wheel and parallel to the plane of the floor.

Something that I also find useful is to only run one wheel on my grinder at a time. This way I am able to use the body of the motor as an armrest to aid in guiding my work and maintaining my angles. Which side you work off of will be personal preference, but I prefer my wheel on the right side facing the motor as that is how I learned from Richard and it works well for me.

Chuck

gunmike1 · May 22, 2009

chuckinohio said:
I also run my wheels so that they are rotating towards when as I am in front of the motor.
I work on the top of the wheel at around the 1 o'clock or adjust as needed for the desired edge angle.
Dust off of the wheels is a concern, so a respirator is in order if you are a heavy mouth breather like moi
Working on the top of the wheel edge towards you is the easiest way to see your burr form bar none. Use a good light overhead at the 1 o'clock position and watch your shadow line as you come down onto the wheel and it's almost magical.
I wear safety glasses and a respirator, because I find that being right down on my work helps my control, and leads to better results. With the wheels running towards me and my work at the 1 o'clock, my head is right at 10 or 11 to see my edge as I work the wheel. This position also helps me greatly to keep my work square to the wheel and parallel to the plane of the floor.

Something that I also find useful is to only run one wheel on my grinder at a time. This way I am able to use the body of the motor as an armrest to aid in guiding my work and maintaining my angles. Which side you work off of will be personal preference, but I prefer my wheel on the right side facing the motor as that is how I learned from Richard and it works well for me.

Chuck

Great desription of how Richard just told me how to do it today. The 1 wheel at a time trick, respirator and eye protection are all great tips. It will be nice to try this so I can see the burr being formed and better see the angles I am sharpening at.

Mike