Having issues with my sharpened knives. Or just want some pointers

S

sleeperls

Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
18
I'm using the gatco non diamond system with the extra stones. I have no problem getting them hair popping sharp, but the problem is edge retention.

Im using the 19 degree slot on the sharpener, and once i get done i strop it a little on a plain piece of leather. The problem im having is i can roll the edge over very fast. As little as 2-3 swipes on the leather has it back to shaving.

suggestions?
 
singularity35 said:
What knife and what are you cutting?
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There it is. It's not your sharpening system that's causing the issue. Do you know what kind of steel is in the blade? I don't think that would matter a great deal at 19 degrees (38 degrees included), but if it's a softer steel, you may want to think about reprofiling to something a bit less acute, closer to 25 degrees, maybe.

Of course, you could stop cutting into rocks, too. :) :) :)
 
Both knives are kershaw. one is the ram Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel, DLC coating on the blade. The other is a blur with s30v. I dont cut anything major. String, open boxes, simple things. I understand why the blade gets dull when im cutting hay bales, and hose.

The ram actually holds the edge longer.

Im starting to get into it more and my knife addiction is growing.
 
sleeperls said:
Both knives are kershaw. one is the ram Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel, DLC coating on the blade. The other is a blur with s30v. I dont cut anything major. String, open boxes, simple things. I understand why the blade gets dull when im cutting hay bales, and hose.

The ram actually holds the edge longer/QUOTE]

You may have to just pay attention to what you're cutting and do a quick edge check after each session. Hoses can be pretty abrasive, as can cordage, but they don't generally lay an edge over, at least not in my experience. However, a zip tie will do it in a second. Keep a close eye out and see if you can't determine what's causing it.

Without more information, it's hard to say, really. Both are excellent knives made from excellent materials.

sleeperls said:
Im starting to get into it more and my knife addiction is growing.
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You're a goner. :) :)
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My two centavos is to back off the angle a bit. I'm not familiar with the Gatco system, but I imagine it's a lot like a Lansky, which I do have. A more obtuse angle is less subject to edge roll, and can still be hair-popping sharp. That may be all you need.
 
It could be a wire edge. You should try destressing by running the edge on the fine stone on a 90 degree angle for a couple of times before you start sharpening. I hope that works for you.
 
sleeperls said:
I'm using the gatco non diamond system with the extra stones. I have no problem getting them hair popping sharp, but the problem is edge retention.

Im using the 19 degree slot on the sharpener, and once i get done i strop it a little on a plain piece of leather. The problem im having is i can roll the edge over very fast. As little as 2-3 swipes on the leather has it back to shaving.

suggestions?
Click to expand...

Have a read through the sharpening section, there are tons of tips and tricks.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/794-Maintenance-Tinkering-amp-Embellishment
 
singularity35 said:
It could be a wire edge. You should try destressing by running the edge on the fine stone on a 90 degree angle for a couple of times before you start sharpening. I hope that works for you.
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Yeah it sounds like you are getting a wire edge. I like taking wire edges off on a block of wood or scoring a line in a tree. Just keep at it.
 
sleeperls said:
I'm using the gatco non diamond system with the extra stones. I have no problem getting them hair popping sharp, but the problem is edge retention.

Im using the 19 degree slot on the sharpener, and once i get done i strop it a little on a plain piece of leather. The problem im having is i can roll the edge over very fast. As little as 2-3 swipes on the leather has it back to shaving.

suggestions?
Click to expand...

As suggested a couple of times, that's a classic description of a wire edge (sometimes called a 'burr'). The apex has been over-ground enough, that some of it has been thinned to the extreme, making it very fine (shaving sharp) and very weak (rolls over). The fact that it can be back to shaving in 2-3 swipes on bare leather is testament to how pliable/flexible (therefore weak) it is. Usually, the easiest way to get rid of it is to go ahead and fold it over to one side, then very gently file it off by working that side with a fine/ef stone with feather-light pressure. Follow with stropping again; then re-test cutting performance & durability.

Your edge angle of ~38° inclusive (19°/side) should be durable enough for the vast majority of blade steels and uses. It's just the wire edge that's causing your troubles, most likely.


David
 
Ill give your suggestion a try David. What you guys are describing is what im dealing with.

Ill update later.

Thanks
 
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