Has Anyone Else Tried This "Angle Guide?"

[redsquid2]

Several days ago, I decided to consider sharpening at an angle other than 22.5 deg. At the age of 48, that was all I had ever done. I sent an email to Two Finger Knife. I asked for a recommended angle for their blades, and they (they being Zane Schenk) said they recommend 17 - 20 deg.

I shopped around for angle guides, and decided I didn't have the money for one right now. Then I thought of my Swanson Speed Square.

I only used it as a visual reference; I set it down next to the stone, got the angles equal, and then proceeded to re-set the edge on a cheap kitchen knife. Then, having visually memorized that angle, I took the honing steel and honed it. It worked Great. The kitchen knife is now 18 deg. instead of 22.5, and it's hair popping sharp.

I was surprised.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I use a similar one sometimes - etched a block with 12.5, 15,17.5, and 20 degree lines on two sides (very high-tech, can accommodate different bench heights). It works pretty good. Once you get the bevel set you can go by feel, but for an initial grind on a factory edge stuff like this is invaluable.

The marks are upside down compared to how I use it.

 

[Ben Dover]

Had I the woodworking skills and tools, I believe that I would fabricate a stoneholder, 3 inch by 9 inch, that was attached to a heavy wooden block by a pivot system, that would allow the stone to be held at zero to ninety degrees from the perpendicular by a clamping mechanism of some type.

This would allow a full size waterstone or diamond plate to be used in much the same manner as a Sharpmaker.:thumbup:

Perhaps one of you who has the ability would like to try it?