I'm great at sharpening the belly, but I can't get the last 1/5th sharp!!!

[seeverscpa]

This I really frustrating me. It's a Microtech executive scarab with Elmax blade.

I'm able to get the belly and the start of the curve towards the tip shaving sharp no problem with a set of Lansky ceramic sticks. But for the life of me I cannot get that same edge on the last 1/5 of the blade which essentially the curve leading to the tip. WTF?

Am I supposed to change the horizontal or vertical angle as I pass this last portion of the blade over the ceramic?

 

[bucketstove]

This I really frustrating me. It's a Microtech executive scarab with Elmax blade.

I'm able to get the belly and the start of the curve towards the tip shaving sharp no problem with a set of Lansky ceramic sticks. But for the life of me I cannot get that same edge on the last 1/5 of the blade which essentially the curve leading to the tip. WTF?

Am I supposed to change the horizontal or vertical angle as I pass this last portion of the blade over the ceramic?

Hi,
use a marker to paint the edge so you can see where the metal is being removed,
also, are you pivoting the blade for the curved portion?

 

[bgentry]

Yes, you are supposed to change the vertical angle as you go through the curve of the blade and reach the tip. Imagine the illustration above turned so that the flat surface is the rod.

Also, it's very common for the tip to be the most dull part of the blade because many people use tip of the blade the most. So it dulls most quickly and most severely. I have to spend extra time on the first inch or so of almost every blade I sharpen.

Brian.