Having Trouble Sharpening the Benchmade 556 Mini-Grip with the Sharpmaker

Rolex John

Rolex John

Joined
Dec 4, 2010
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OK, I've been trying to use my Spyderco Sharpmaker on my Benchmade 556 Minigrip to no avail. I seem to be able to sharpen all my other knives well enough, but I can't seem to improve the edge on the 556 in 154CM.

About the only thing I can figure is that there's SOMETHING about the knife that doesn't like the 30 degree sharpening angle?? Should I be using 40 degrees? Any insights appreciated.
 
Check the edge angle on that knife. From my experience, the Grips come with really obtuse angle from the factory. I'd bet you're just hitting the shoulder instead of the edge.
 
dsmegst said:
Check the edge angle on that knife. From my experience, the Grips come with really obtuse angle from the factory. I'd bet you're just hitting the shoulder instead of the edge.
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Dan - I guess I'm not entirely understanding your directions. Do you mean I should hold the knife differently or change the sharpening stones to the 40 degree holes?
 
Benchmade knives always come with a very short and obtuse bevel, at least in my experience. To get your Sharpmaker to work, you most likely need to spend some time reprofiling with the brown or diamond rods and put a solid 30* inclusive bevel on your blade. After that has been doen, use the 40* setting to put the microbevel (edge) on your Grip, as it will finally only sharpen the edge.

Another method that will work is if you put the stones into the backside of the base so they lay flat and make a traditional bench stone. You can control the angle this way, and just keep raising the knife until you are only sharpening the edge. Option 1 is still the better bet, but this would be faster.
 
Handwrecker said:
Benchmade knives always come with a very short and obtuse bevel, at least in my experience. To get your Sharpmaker to work, you most likely need to spend some time reprofiling with the brown or diamond rods and put a solid 30* inclusive bevel on your blade. After that has been doen, use the 40* setting to put the microbevel (edge) on your Grip, as it will finally only sharpen the edge.

Another method that will work is if you put the stones into the backside of the base so they lay flat and make a traditional bench stone. You can control the angle this way, and just keep raising the knife until you are only sharpening the edge. Option 1 is still the better bet, but this would be faster.
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Interesting. I do have the diamond rods for my Sharpmaker. How many strokes would you guesstimate I'd need to make with the diamond bar at 30 degrees?
 
I've been sharpening my Mini-Grip on the 40 degree setting since the day I bought it 6 years ago. Five minutes with the Sharpmaker's fine stones all it takes to put a razor edge on that knife.

I only use the 30 degree setting for a few of my kitchen knives.
 
Rolex John said:
Dan - I guess I'm not entirely understanding your directions. Do you mean I should hold the knife differently or change the sharpening stones to the 40 degree holes?
Click to expand...

Draw a small line on the cutting edge with a sharpie, when it dries try doing 5 swipes on the 30* setting. If the sharpie line is completely gone then it is a true 30* angle, if it is still there the angle is not, and you can try the 40*.
 
Rolex John said:
Interesting. I do have the diamond rods for my Sharpmaker. How many strokes would you guesstimate I'd need to make with the diamond bar at 30 degrees?
Click to expand...

For 154CM, I'd check it around every 20-30 strokes (1 stroke equals left and right side) if you have the diamonds. Don't push too hard, just let the stones do their work. It'll probably take you around a half hour or less. Do a search for the sharpie trick picture thread, that'll help you get a better idea what you're trying to accomplish. You're trying to thin out your obtuse main bevel with something thinner, so when you go to the 40* side it will only sharpen the very edge, and not the shoulders. I usually test by sharpening on the 30* side for a while, then doing a few swipes on the 40* side to see if my edge is cutting any better. If no change, then you know you need more work on the 30* bevel. With the sharpie trick, you coat the very edge in ink so that way you know if you're hitting edge or bevel. It'll help you see and understand how a knife edge works if you're new to sharpening.

Sorry if that sounds vague, I don't count my swipes on the Sharpmaker. Hope that helps a little.
 
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