How to Control the “Sharpening Line”??

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
Hey all.

I have a question and I don’t know the proper terminology to use. I’ll try my best to describe what I am asking and hope you can understand my ramblings.

I am curious about that “line” you get after sharpening a knife. Sometimes there isn’t one or it’s so close to the edge that it can’t be identified. Other times you see an area that’s been in contact with the stones and where that contact stops is the “line” I’m talking about. On some knives like my Kabar Marine Corps knife that area is quite large, maybe 1/2 an inch from the actual sharpened edge.

Ok, now that I’ve explained that, I have a question.
I use a basic Lansky system. I’ve sharpened several pocket knives lately with good results. Most all don’t have that “line” cause it’s right at the sharpened edge.
On an old Remington Stockman I was given I got out my Lansky to sharpen all 3 blades. I started with the sheepsfoot blade. After I finished the edge of my knife looked far different than all my other knives. I used the 18 degree hole to sharpen. I ended up with a “line” that’s prolly 3mm or so from the sharpened edge, give or take. It’s plainly visible and it looks far different than everything else I’ve sharpened. When I saw what was happening as I sharpened I had no option other than to finish. It has a nice, sharp edge to it now, but I don’t care much for that “line” being so far from the edge.
I haven’t started on the other 2 blades cause I was afraid I would end up with the same results as the Sheepsfoot.

What did I do wrong? I done everything just like I did in my other knives. I guess I could’ve made a mistake without noticing it. What causes this to happen?
If needed I can try and post a picture for you.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
 
It’s your sharpening angle. You’re not hitting the entire edge. You angle is too steep. Try the next notch lower.
 
I was at the next to lowest hole. This is the first time it happened and I done my Case large Stockman the same way and it turned out really nice. Why would it do it this time?

I’m not questioning your info or conclusions. I’m just curious why it happened on this knife the first time.
 
If I'm understanding correctly, the line you're talking about is the top of the edge bevel. How wide the edge bevel is depends on the angle you choose and how thick the blade is behind the edge. At any particular sharpening angle, the bevel will be wider on a knife that's thicker behind the edge than it would be on a thinner blade.
 
3D Anvil said:
If I'm understanding correctly, the line you're talking about is the top of the edge bevel. How wide the edge bevel is depends on the angle you choose and how thick the blade is behind the edge. At any particular sharpening angle, the bevel will be wider on a knife that's thicker behind the edge than it would be on a thinner blade.
Click to expand...
This.Edge bevels vary from knife to knife.
 
The thing with Lansky type sharpening systems. They dont take into account the width of the blade.

Look at it this way. The farther the edge is to the clamped on upright the shallower the angle gets. Even though you are in a specific hole that is assigned a number you really don’t know what the actual angle is.

Set it up, then look at how the edge and the stone contact each other. Then visualize what will happen as the edge bevel is formed. Ideally you have a good bevel and you are just trying to match it. A bright light and a magnifying glass will help.

Also you are only supposed to sharpen just in front of the clamp and a little to each side then keep moving the clamp.

Pictures would help, but it honestly sounds like the blade is too thick. Was it worn down from its original shape?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top