Help Sharpening BM 9050 AFO

N

nothing

Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
4
I've got a couple of BM 9050 AFO's that I've had for about 4 years. One is NIB and I've carried the other since my first deployment in 2005. Needless to say it's seen some hard use. My problem is I can't get it as sharp as it was when I first got it.

I've never had a problem sharpening anything before. I do a lot of woodwork and sharpen my chisels and handplanes with every use. No problems sharpening my AUS 8 knives either.

I've got a spyderco 204 and a gatco jig. The spyderco just doesn't seem to cut quickly and the GATCO cuts to much. I can get my CRKT's and Gerbers super sharp with either, but I think that has more to do with the soft metal they use compared to the 154CM. I know I can send them back to BM for their sharpening service, but I'd really prefer to sharpen them myself.

Do I need to give up on the sypderco and gatco and go to a lansky or DMT? I just got a new microtech with D2 steel and don't want to have the same problem.
 
Go with the DMT you will never use anything else again.
 
Its been proven that the wheels are fast and very effective but for someone that does not need to sharpen hundreds of knives and has minimal sharpening experience they could prove to be dangerous and a quick way to ruin a blade. I have been hand sharpening as long if not long than you have used the wheels and I still don't feel comfortable using power sharpeners.

If ya like the idea of a power sharpener then the paper wheels would be the way to go, but if you don't then I would highly suggest the DMT aligner. The aligner is also a little more portable so if you need to take it half way around the world, its ready.
 
If I ever get a wheel it will definitely be a tormek. $500 for the machine, not to mention the jigs is a little steep for a buy in. Especially when I'm planning on dropping around $1000 on a bandsaw. I think it would be awesome for my hand tools and jointer blades, but it's low on my priority list.

What angle would you guys recommend for sharpening that AFO? I'm wondering if the 40 degree bevel on the sharpmaker is too large for this knife. I was thinking a 20 or 25 degree angle would be better.

Richard, I appreciate the offer to sharpen it for me, but I'm headed back to iraq in a few days and don't have an address yet. Once I get set up there I might send it over if I can't get the edge right.
 
Last edited:
the wheels are made for sharpening a few knives or a number of knives. if someone practices first with the wheels the chances of ruining a knife are slim. pappy1959 watched me sharpen 5 knives and from that was able to sharpen several that his wife overnighted to him without any trouble with my portable sharpening system.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top