GEC Sharpening

Berickson47

Berickson47

Joined
Mar 6, 2017
Messages
259
040ABBCA-9758-4B35-9160-33B8C871F4C5.jpeg I reprofiled my 44 Gunstock to 15 degrees per side. It’s an amazing performer now. It easily slices through anything. However, now the blade looks thin (blade width), did I remove too much material?
 
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Going to that low an angle will result in more edge bevel. It’s not too thin unless it starts chipping and rolling easy. I usually go to 20 deg on my GEC’s and they perform great.
 
I don't own a GEC 44 but if by "thin" you mean too narrow from spine to edge then yes, it does look like you removed a lot of steel based on the pictures I've seen of new 44 clip blades.
 
Looks fine to me. The aesthetics are up to you and your tastes, but I run most of my pocket knife blades, GEC included, at 12-16 DPS and have yet to have an issue with my use patterns.
 
I’m sure it is fine.
I just took down my 73 to less than 15 degrees per side and it hasn’t had any problems.

I find GEC factory angles a bit obtuse.
 
Your blade has a lot more space between the edge and the bottom of the kick implying that quite a bit of steel was removed. I wouldn't worry about it though. You can't put the steel back and it's a great cutter so just enjoy it.

441218-OD-Green-Linen-Micarta.jpg
 
I go 10dps and put a 15 degree microbevel on. They cut great and resharpen super easily. My GECs perform well. Softer steels might not hold up as well at that angle, I've dumped a few like that.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. I know I can’t put the steel back on, I’m asking because I’m contemplating doing this to my other GECs. But I think I’ll do 20 DPS so I don’t remove so much steel.
 
I also think that when I sharpened it I rounded the back half of the blade up toward the spine a bit, removing the sharpening notch. I wasn’t careful enough and I probably applied too much pressure.
 
Berickson47 said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. I know I can’t put the steel back on, I’m asking because I’m contemplating doing this to my other GECs. But I think I’ll do 20 DPS so I don’t remove so much steel.
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Lowering the angle doesn't necessarily need to cost blade height, you just have to stop when you hit the apex.

~Chip
 
Berickson47 said:
I also think that when I sharpened it I rounded the back half of the blade up toward the spine a bit, removing the sharpening notch. I wasn’t careful enough and I probably applied too much pressure.
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Not to worry: sharpening notches are easy to reestablish with a small diamond file. I’ve done this several time with blades whose bevels I’ve reprofiled. PM me if you’d like some tips.
 
Berickson47 said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. I know I can’t put the steel back on, I’m asking because I’m contemplating doing this to my other GECs. But I think I’ll do 20 DPS so I don’t remove so much steel.
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Why? I removed a bit of steel when I first reprofiled my #73. I've removed comparatively little since. While it may not look as aesthetically pleasing as a completely full, straight-outta-tube blade, I'd much rather have the superior cutting ability of a knife over minty freshness.
 
kamagong said:
Why? I removed a bit of steel when I first reprofiled my #73. I've removed comparatively little since. While it may not look as aesthetically pleasing as a completely full, straight-outta-tube blade, I'd much rather have the superior cutting ability of a knife over minty freshness.
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Personally, I don’t notice a performance difference between 20 DPS and 15 DPS. 20 degrees, in my opinion, is the perfect medium between aesthetic, function, and longevity.
 
kamagong said:
Longevity? I stopped worrying about that long ago. I'm more likely to lose a knife than wear one out. And should that ever happen, that's the perfect excuse to buy a new one.

;)
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I totally agree with you, but I like to think I’ll have this knife for 50+ years. I doubt I will though.
 
In my opinion, you removed a lot. I base that off of your sharpening notch is missing with a single sharpening.
 
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