How should I plan to sharpen my knife blanks?

W

wizzer

Joined
Jun 23, 2016
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I will be sending a few blanks out to HT in the next few days and was starting to think about how I can tackle the edge grind. As of now, they have a .03 thick blade edge. I am not sure where I picked that number up but that was my target for heading to HT.

I have access to belt and surface grinders which could help "rough" in the edge once they're back. I also have a Lansky setup which I was going to finish them with. Would it be wise to just do the entire process with that?

Thanks,
Phil
 
I have something similar to your Lansky (Gatco) and you'll wear out your rough stone in just a few knives trying to get that .03 down to 0. Cut the edge on your belt grinder and use the stones to finish it.
 
I also take my edge down to .03 but then I start hand sanding at 150, 220, 320, 400 and 600. Then I HT and go back to 400 and 600 again. By that time the edge is much thinner. Then I set the edge with the Smith brand knock off of the Lansky, because the wide diamond stones on the Smith are aggressive and quick. Then I switch to the Lansky stones.
 
You will re-sand the entire blade and when done, the edge will be less than .010". I take many down to .005". Once sanded to the final grit, assemble the knife. The final step is to sharpen the blade. Use either the belt grinder or whetstones. Produce a good edge with a burr and strop the butt off on a leather (old belt will work finer) covered board charged with green chrome or rouge.
 
Thanks for they reply, everyone.

Stacy, when you say you re-sand down to under .01 are referring to the blade grind or the edge grind? Also, are you doing that manually with a block and paper or are you doing that all on your belt sander?
 
After HT, the entire blade needs the surface taken down to remove decarb and get things flat, as well as thin the edge. Once the bevel is finished to 400+ grit, the edge should be .010" or less. This is what you form the actual edge on. The edge is sometimes referred to as the secondary bevel.
 
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