KA-Bar BK9 and the Syperdoco Sharpmaker

Centuriator

Centuriator

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Jun 7, 2020
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Has anyone used the Sharpmaker to get a great edge on their BK9? It has a very long blade and I was wondering how well it works out using the Sharpmaker with it.

As it comes from the factor, how sharp an edge does it have?

Thanks guys.
 
No experience with the sharpmaker, but the bk9 comes with a very useable edge that can be easily improved with a little bit of strip action.
 
Can you explain what you mean by "a little bit of strip action"? Thanks. I'm new here and now yet up on the lingo.
 
Centuriator said:
Has anyone used the Sharpmaker to get a great edge on their BK9? It has a very long blade and I was wondering how well it works out using the Sharpmaker with it.

As it comes from the factor, how sharp an edge does it have?

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

There was a Sharpmaker at one of the BeckerWest gatherings I was at a while back and my BK20 ended up getting a very nice edge put on it, I wasn't the one who did it so that might have been why it actually got a good edge :oops:. I don't have a Sharpmaker or a BK9 but I suspect you'd be able to get a good edge from it if you're decent at freehand sharpening.

All Beckers come with decent factory edges, but you can certainly make them better if you wanted. I always have used the factory edge until it needs sharpening, never had any issues with its sharpness or durability.
 
Just to clarify my question has nothing to do with the quality of the Becker edge. I'm asking about it because it is a very long blade and I'm not sure how well it will work with my Sharpmaker, which I've used for years on my knives. I've not had a knife with this long a blade on it.
 
Centuriator said:
Can you explain what you mean by "a little bit of strip action"? Thanks. I'm new here and now yet up on the lingo.
Click to expand...
Sorry, autocorrect strikes again.

Strop action.
As in, a leather strop impregnated with polishing compound. Green works fine, but I prefer flexcut gold.
 
I have both and while it’s not an ideal collaboration between tools it can be made to work.

You have to draw the knife through faster than the down stroke. Be careful not to let the tip fall off the rod; you will need to focus on the tip by itself since the BK9 is so long.

I find it easier to just use the Spyderco rods like a file while holding the BK9 static. Sharpie the edge and go.

Ideally, a large stone would net faster results. A King K80 brings out a really nice edge on 1095, but you will need to make sure to lap the stone often.

A DMT diamond is even faster and requires very little maintenance.
 
Centuriator said:
Following up...got the BK9 in and ... using the Sharpmaker was not a problem at all. And...dang....it is super sharp now.
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I've never used a Sharpmaker on a blade that big, glad it worked for you.

I sent a BK-9 out to @Jason B. years ago, it came back insanely sharp... couple videos of him sharpening my knife if you're interested.
 
I love my sharpmaker. Perfect for smaller Blades but I have used it for larger ones. It just takes more pulling back and less pushing down. I also sometimes use my support hand to hold the end of the spine to help control the angle, especially for the tip. If it’s too tedious don’t forget that you can place the triangle stones flat on the stand and use them as normal stones.
 
Worked over my BK9 some more with my Sharpmaker and ... working great. I ordered an extra-fine set of rods. After running it through the sharpmaker a few dozen times on each side, with the medium rod edges, then full rod, then the fine and full surface fine, followed up by some passes on the strop....

It shaves hair.

Good enough for me.
 
Reporting back in...I used the Sharpmaker very slowly and deliberately yesterday on the BK9 and decided to give it a nice thin coat of oil and managed to slice the tip of my index finger, blood everywhere, it happened so fast and the knife was so sharp I only felt it after the fact and the slice was very precise and surgical-like.

I cleaned the cut (fun part) then wrapped it up tightly. Wife was not impressed that I missed drops of blood in the bathroom.

So, bottom line:

Yes, you can get a VERY sharp edge on the BK9 with a Sharpmaker.

:)
 
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I'm really resurrecting an old post here but...isn't the factory edge on a bk9 more obtuse than 40 degrees inclusive? I thought beckers came like 22-23 per side, wouldn't you have to do some reprofiling just to get it to a more acute 40? On my spydercos I hold a 30 degree inclusive edge with a 40 degree microbevel. That would take quite a bit of work on a becker...right?
 
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