Is it OK to use rods on Rats?

[Prince of Peace]

I recently received my first Swamp Rat knife,a Howling Rat.I needed to sharpen it as it was a user when I bought it. I only have a set of ceramic rods that are pre set in a holder. I drug it through about 20 times until it no longer made a sharpening sound. The blade is quite sharp. No popping hairs though,but still plenty sharp for me.
My question is because it has the convex grind on it will I be ruining it by using the rod kit or is it safe for me to use. Please excuse my noobish question. I have only been a steel addict since April of this year.
Bad addiction. I'm up to 67 blades so far. I can't seem to stop.
Thanks for your patience and help.

Peace.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

No you are not ruining it, you are just adding a light micro-bevel to the edge. With time this will thicken, and after many sharpening you will note it will take longer to resharpen and longer still you will note it doesn't cut as well. You then need to have the edge reground. This is more of a yearly activity, but depends on frequency/harshness of use.

-Cliff

 

[Prince of Peace]

Thanks Cliff.
Is there another method I should be using to avoid sending my knife back to Swamp Rat Knife Works to be resharpened annually?

Peace.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

You don't need to send it back, you can do it yourself. Essentially the knife comes with an edge of a specific angle, between 15 to 20 degrees per side. Since they are usually ground with a slack belt this really means it goes from slightly lower to slightly higher in an arc. Now as a user you can just flatten this to one uniform bevel, or try to match the existing bevel.

What I would recommend is quite simple. Shapen on the rods until the edge thickens and you can actually see it, so it is maybe half a mm or so wide. This will take quite awhile, as in dozens of sharpenings. Now take a really coarse benchstone and using it like a file work the main bevel freehand until you can't see the small additional bevel any more.

Now just go back to the rods.

-Cliff

 

[buckman#10]

hi pop
welcome to the addiction
the answer is obvious just get at least one new blade each year and retire the dull one
kind of like trading the truck because the ashtray is full

 

[Prince of Peace]

Buckman you're absolutely right. I need more Rats.
When I saw the new line up and so many of the new ones looking their Parents the Busse family I knew I was in trouble at once.
It's east to see how an addiction is born. As in the junkie of heroin or cocaine it's the high or the feeling that they all crave.
I have only been an addict since April this year and now with over 70 blades since then I realize I might have a problem.
When I saw the new Rats and the glimpses of Busses since Blade I get a roller coaster feeling in my belly. You know when you go over a hump in the road at 60 or so you get that funny tingle feeling? I get that when I see Rats and Busse blades now.
They say you should focus on a certain type or area of blades for your collection...Case...Emerson....Strider...Handmades....nothing anymore. I look at my shelves and I go past them all to my Computer desk where my Rat is when not on my hip.Since it came we have been in the same room every second. I can't stop looking,polishing,handling and generally playing with it.
I bring it to the dinner table when my bride calls us for dinner.
I know what KIND of knives I will be focusing on for my collection now.
It's a undeniable feeling. Rats and Busse's. Now I know why they always seemed to have a almost cult like following.The blades themselves activate it inside of you. I wonder if I can sharpen the way Cliff says to.
I NEED hair popping!
This blade if far from it. hair scraping maybe but that's it.
Cliff I will do exactly as you prescribed. Wish me luck..not just with the blade but with my problem.
Hello, my name is Dave and I collect Rats.

Peace.

 

[smithsnoh]

Yeah P.O.P. , I think we all understand the addiction. You're talking to fellow knifenuts here. :thumbup:

You see, I think it's in our blood. Money, while useful, isn't in the blood of a knifenut (more like it's in our hands, not blood ) -- so we're compelled to trade money for knives whenever we can!

Also, at first glance, some of the Busses and SRs, although very aesthetic and "beautiful," may seem a little radical until you get one in your hand and realize how well thought out they are. (The guys in the Busse and SR shop that design these knives must have hands just like mine.)