I think I am catching on...........

[BostonBull]

I am using a GATCO sharpening system.

I think I am getting the hang of getting a sharp edge.

As far as the Burr goes, Do I want to start on one side and form a burr that I can feel with my fingernail, then flip and do the same? After I have formed a burr on both sides do I want to switch to the next finer stone and do the same or knock the burr off lightly with the stone I was using, and then switch to a finer one?

At what grit does the burr become hard to feel with a fingernail? how do you guys know when to switch sides when this occurs? Is it just experience?

 

[hardheart]

if you want to form a burr, then work one side until you get one along the entire edge. Then alternate sides to remove the burr. You only form it once, it will flop from one side to the other until you remove it. I use the same grit until the burr is gone, then move to the next. The burr should always be hard to feel, it means you are keeping it small. A small burr is less wasted metal. Once the burr is gone, you should have a sharp edge, further refining with finer grits improves push cutting.

 

[db]

Yeah, what HH said. I personally like to switch sides after a time grinding on one side even if no burr forums. Just an example 50 strokes per side if no burr I'll switch to the other side and do 50. I'll continue this until a burr forms along the edge. It is my belief this keeps the edge centered and also fairly even.

 

[Hard H2O]

When I am using the GATCO I work one side with the stone and then flip and do the other side. Then leaving the clamp and not flipping I then progress to the next finer stone and work and flip and then I repeat. It works for me. I work one side eight to ten times up a side like the directions recommend. Eight usually does the trick. Ten seems like more work for little progress.

I ensure that I am working at the correct angle to begin with and do not pay a whole lot of attention to the burr. I always develop a burr regardless of the stone I am working with.

In the end with the two finest stones, the extra fine and the ultimate finishing, The burr is removes and then the edge is further refined on the strop.

 

[BostonBull]

Well after 2 hours of reprofiling to 15*/each side and sharpening I was pumped to try it out! I wen over to a package I had gotten and cut the tape. it cut OK, but not as good as new. This is very discouraging. So I sat there trying to figure out how I made it duller.

I was in the shop today and decided to try to cut a piece of rope. 1/2" thick 16 strand used climbing line. When this knife was new it would take 5-6 hard swipes to get through. My other knife at least 10. I got through it in TWO! Medium pressure. I a confident that I could do t in ONE with heavy pressure!

I am happy with the GATCO guide system and myself.

Now why wont it cut tape? Too refined not enough burr/micro serrations?

 

[Nosetotail]

Don't get to hung up on the burr. It is only a physical evidence that you have ground your angle down completely to the edge, and along the entire length of the knife. The burr is actually a byproduct of sharpening that results in a weak edge. It may be sharp at first, but it will bend over the first time you cut with it. If you have taken your edge down to 15 degrees per side, start alternating sides with progressively fewer strokes and progressively lighter strokes until you are taking one or two of the lightest strokes you can take on each side. Repeat this alternating process with one ultra light stroke per side a few times. This should give you a very sharp edge that may or may not have weakened steel at the edge. For this reason, you should now raise your angle to the next setting and take a few very light alternating swipes at the higher angle. Because your stone is now just making contact at the very edge, you should be very careful to apply the lightest pressure possible, and alternate sides each swipe so as to not form a burr in this step. The resulting edge will be as sharp or sharper than the edge you had at the lower angle(this being because the stone is making clean swipes right on the very edge), and this edge will consist of much stronger healthy steel. If you don't make this new bevel too large, you can touch up this edge very easily be going straight back to this higher angle and taking a few more light swipes.