Having trouble sharpening my XM-18s. Sharpening angle advice?

GhostAlpha0

GhostAlpha0

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I've used my 3.5" enough that it's time to sharpen it. My new 3.5" skinner arrived not even close to sharp. I've been using the Sharpmaker to sharpen my knives but I'm having trouble getting these two Hinderers sharp with it. I decided it was time to graduate to the Edge Pro Apex so I have more options with respect to sharpening angles. So my question is what would work well on these blades? The 30 degree bevel and 40 degree edge with the Sharpmaker doesn't seem to work that well on these thicker blades. I want these puppies to be razor sharp.
 
For the XMs I sharpen, I use a Wicked Edge at about 22 degrees per side........I find it works very well and the blades are hair-popping sharp........the factory angle is around 24 degrees give or take a degree or two.......the exact info is a closely guarded secret.......
 
I also use 22 degrees per side on the wicked edge. Then I maintain the edge on a flexxx strop.
 
I learned to sharpen knives by hand from my father 55 years ago. He was a woodworker (Hobbiest) and told me there are 2 types of edge. Ones that cut (pocket knives, butcher knives, combat knives, etc.) and those that are pushed (razor, ax, chisel, plane iron, adz's, crooked knives etc.) and each requires a different edge to work properly. I have always followed these rules as I to am a woodworker.

My knives I use never go above 600 to 800 grit at a 22 degree or less angle depending on the knife and it's use. My chisels, ax, and my plane irons all have a 12000 grit polish at differing angles. All will shave. I own many stones, some man made and some natural. It's an art every man should master. I was 10 years old when I started and it wasn't until my mid 20's I got it right.
Just my 2 cents worth.

What's a Wicked Edge?
 
CyberShot said:
What's a Wicked Edge?
Click to expand...

An idiot-proof knife sharpening system that gives you a perfect and razor-sharp edge at whatever angle you choose.......every single time.

Trust me......I'm an idiot......and still I find it remarkably easy to use......
 
I have the XM18 3.5 spanto blade and I use the sharpmaker without any issues. Only gripe is that due to the high grade steel, you have to put a lot of work into it to get the sharpness. But when you are finished, its worth the extra effort.
 
xxfalconxx said:
An idiot-proof knife sharpening system that gives you a perfect and razor-sharp edge at whatever angle you choose.......every single time.

Trust me......I'm an idiot......and still I find it remarkably easy to use......
Click to expand...

I'm right there with you Ross, but I love that wicked edge!
 
akrapacs said:
I've used my 3.5" enough that it's time to sharpen it. My new 3.5" skinner arrived not even close to sharp. I've been using the Sharpmaker to sharpen my knives but I'm having trouble getting these two Hinderers sharp with it. I decided it was time to graduate to the Edge Pro Apex so I have more options with respect to sharpening angles. So my question is what would work well on these blades? The 30 degree bevel and 40 degree edge with the Sharpmaker doesn't seem to work that well on these thicker blades. I want these puppies to be razor sharp.
Click to expand...

The Sharpmaker works perfectly but it takes ages to get to the apex when you do it the first time. Keeping it sharp afterwards is a matter of few swipes.
 
I don't know what hardness RHK has on the blades, but I've found they take more time for me to put a good edge on mine. I had to start using diamond stones to cut down on the time it was taking with conventional stones. I was using a Lansky and it was doing fine with all my other knives. Went to a KME with diamonds and have better results.
 
The WEPS (Wicked Edge) was/is a great invention for "Us" guys that have not mastered sharpening freehand whether it be wetstone, belt sander or river rock. Certainly one can send their RHK's back from whence they came and get a Sharpening from the Master himself.
The SharpMaker is a great maintenance piece of equipment and for the money is hard to beat.
The WEPS for ALL around maintenance/reprofiling/damage repair/sharpening AND Hobby (sub-hobby) embellishment - is just good fun as well as being a heck of a piece of equipment.
Can't tell you how many people walk in my shop and say, "What the heck is that?" Many times I ask them, "Let me see your knife".
That is a fun 15 minutes. :)
 
I'm thinking about throwing my XM's on the ole Wicked Edge for the first time, going with 22 dps. I was curious what "letter" settings you WEPS users are using for a consistent and even bevel heel to tip. Off the top of my head thinking maybe A.5 for the 3", no more than B for the 3.5"?
 
Just remember, You can't put it back once its gone.
I usually measure mine to see what the sides are and try to stay as conservative as possible.
Just for those "on the fence" who may be reading this, for those who have made up their minds .... :)
 
uofaengr said:
I'm thinking about throwing my XM's on the ole Wicked Edge for the first time, going with 22 dps. I was curious what "letter" settings you WEPS users are using for a consistent and even bevel heel to tip. Off the top of my head thinking maybe A.5 for the 3", no more than B for the 3.5"?
Click to expand...

I've added lines to the WEPS measuring stick, cutting the A,B,C... into quarters. I don't know exactly what I use as I don't have my sharpening list on hand but your in the ballpark and from my experience it's really close to the factory angle. I can check when I get home to give you the exact set up. I use the same measurement on my Slicer and Spanto.
 
BDbrad said:
I've added lines to the WEPS measuring stick, cutting the A,B,C... into quarters. I don't know exactly what I use as I don't have my sharpening list on hand but your in the ballpark and from my experience it's really close to the factory angle. I can check when I get home to give you the exact set up. I use the same measurement on my Slicer and Spanto.
Click to expand...
Yes, I do the quarters as well. Thanks for looking, I appreciate that!
 
I have all my Sebenzas reprofile down to 30 degrees inclusive so I can touch up with my sharpmaker at 40 inclusive. My Hinderer will have the same treatment once I get through the backlog of sharpening all my family's kitchen knives on my WE.
 
Oh and until then I touch up freehand at around 50 degrees inclusive on a waterstone which really is an obtuse angle for this level of steel.
 
My edge pro has arrived and after some experimentation on a couple cheap Cryos I went to work on my XM18 Skinner. I sharpened it at 21 degrees. It seemed to take a while but it finally it feels like it's actually sharp. I've been carrying it ever day for a week or so now and I'm pretty happy with the performance. I'll probably sharpen my spanto xm18 at the same angle in the next couple days.
 
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