Getting to know my kme

Ryan J · Aug 3, 2014

[/url][/IMG] [img=http://s30.postimg.org/e8bsii8z1/IMG_20140802_222142.jpg][/IMG] I received my kme yesterday. Great system so far. I expected alot and am satisfied. One small grievance, there is a little play where the main clamp bolt goes through the bracket by the tension knob. This causes a slight bevel angle variation if left unchecked. I just hold it down which isn't difficult. Wondering if anyone has discovered a work around for this? It's difficult to fix as the bolt is threaded and must be able to move through the hole freely. Hard to explain. Here's the process I used before the next question: gold series diamond hones, 2k wet dry on pine, 4u cbn on pine, 1.5u cbn on pine. Firstly, is this an acceptable substrate for cbn? I made a bunch of strops before I got the system but I didn't know the diamond hones are 3/16" and I made them 1/4" like the ceramic hones. I'd rather not change the angle so I don't use them. Would leather work better? I plan to replace the 2k wet dry when I can. Maybe with the hard Arkansas. Secondly, what do you guys recommend after the 2k? The 4u cbn is too much of a jump and doesn't fully remove the scratches even though it is advertised as 4k. On a side note the knife in the pics is a cs true flight thrower. Best $25 dollar knife I've ever bought. 1095 steel and hardness of 56-58 so not the best for edge retention. At 12 inches though it makes a great beater for when I'm at the lake. Next I'm ordering some g10 to make scales and some kydex for a sheath. And the extra coarse gold series hone made the reprofile to 17 degrees a breeze. Would taken hours with the lansky and ceramics. Anyway thanks again guys.

Ryan J · Aug 3, 2014

And also I would like to add, after reading in this forum and witnessing the level of expertise and finding out some of you are world renown, everytime I post on here I feel like I'm asking a 5 star chef advice on making spaghetti. If that makes sense. I have a lot to learn.

fetzer85 · Aug 6, 2014

Ryan J said:
And also I would like to add, after reading in this forum and witnessing the level of expertise and finding out some of you are world renown, everytime I post on here I feel like I'm asking a 5 star chef advice on making spaghetti. If that makes sense. I have a lot to learn.

Unfortunately I don't have advice for your first post but I do for this one.

Don't sweat it. We're all on our own path. Some of us will never reach the level of others here which is fine, as long as you're happy with where you're at. I tried free handing and just frustrated myself, so from there I got a Work Sharp. Then I upgraded to the Ken Onion edition. Most recently I sold that and bought a diamond KME. (haven't even used it yet) What I've found is you've gotta do what works for you. Someday maybe I'll end up free handing but now is not my time. I'm looking forward to trying the KME. Also, as far as asking 5 star chefs about making spaghetti...you're gonna have some of the best spaghetti around!

Ryan J · Aug 7, 2014

fetzer85 said:
Unfortunately I don't have advice for your first post but I do for this one.

Don't sweat it. We're all on our own path. Some of us will never reach the level of others here which is fine, as long as you're happy with where you're at. I tried free handing and just frustrated myself, so from there I got a Work Sharp. Then I upgraded to the Ken Onion edition. Most recently I sold that and bought a diamond KME. (haven't even used it yet) What I've found is you've gotta do what works for you. Someday maybe I'll end up free handing but now is not my time. I'm looking forward to trying the KME. Also, as far as asking 5 star chefs about making spaghetti...you're gonna have some of the best spaghetti around!

Thanks! As far as the small amount of play I found a fix for it. Just want to point out that it really is negligible to begin with. We're talking like a quarter of a degree. I hope it didn't turn anyone off to the system. The truth is none of the systems are perfect though. I poked around at the hardware store until I found a peice of threaded tube that fit the threads of the main bolt, then drilled the hole where the bolt goes through to the correct diameter for the tube
Solid as a rock now. But I'm fairly certain that voids the warranty. Honestly I can't foresee needing it though. And the system is so simple it should be easy enough for me to replace any part that may break. I can take a pic of the fix if anyone wants. I'm positive you'll love the system. I have the diamond hones as well and they are great. One thing about them is the cut very quickly and deeply. I've found if I follow the instructions and make a few passes into the blade with very light pressure (actually slightly lifting the stone) before I switch hones it helps a lot for the final polish.