Ken Onion sharpened my Sebenza!!

Barry H

Barry H

Joined
Nov 3, 1999
Messages
1,685
:D

Well, not exactly. But I jumped on the new Ken Onion Work Sharp band wagon in a BIG!! way.

I love this thing. Both for my own knives and for people that have asked me to help them out with dull blades.

The learning curve for me was pretty easy. Probably because I've worked with shop tools all my life. Main thing to remember, if you buy one for your self, is to start off on some cheapo kitchen knives and set the tool to a low speed and let the weight of the knife fall into the running belt. Don't use too much hand force to hold the blade into the belt. Let the abrasives do the work.

I reprofiled several knives this morning. It was a blast and I only cut my finger once:D

I finished up doing my beloved Sebenza, which had a bunch of nicks in it (I use my Sebenza HARD!).

I know, I know, this thread is worthless with out pics, so here you go:







 
Great looking edge Barry. I have been giving this system some serious thought.
 
Wow looks great.

I've been considering this system as I've seen such great reviews.

Would this system be good for light touch ups as well (I.e. Sharp maker territory)?

What about concerns of removing too much material ?

Thanks.
 
Rkdiddy said:
Wow looks great.

I've been considering this system as I've seen such great reviews.

Would this system be good for light touch ups as well (I.e. Sharp maker territory)?

What about concerns of removing too much material ?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

When I started on the bayonet, it was pretty rusty and crusty. I used the coarsest grit and then went two more belts. When you reprofile something, you are going to see metal dust on your work surface. Using the X22 belt, you wont see much dust at all. and the X4 belt, I only saw metal deposits on the belt. That what I would suggest touching up an already sharp knife. I personally do no know what that grit is compared to the white rods on a Sharpmaker. So, I really don't think you'd have any trouble taking off too much material if you are using the X22 and X4 belts. I don't dare use the purple strop belt (12000MM). I've got a reputation for getting a pretty good edge on knives without using the K.O. Work Sharp. This has taken me to new heights.

There are other attachments you can purchase for this unit, like a leather belt for stropping. I'd bet that would be a winner. You have to go to the web site to see the other attachments

But, I ask Ken and find out for you.
 
I have been looking at this as well! Can you sharpen on both sides (belts moving up the edge and down) or will that slice the belts? How long do the belts last??
 
I just got one yesterday and I have been playing with it quite a bit. I sharpened my wife's kitchen knives and she says they have never been sharper. I have a buck knife with ATS 34 steel I use pretty hard so it was my first good knife I tried. I went through the different belts and got it pretty sharp but not hair shaving sharp. That was using a 25 degree angle. I changed it to a 15 degree angle and when though again and it is slit sharper. But it take quite a few passes and removed quite a bit of material. I am afraid to let my sebenza touch it at this point. I think I need more practice.

What angle would be best to sharpen pocket knives at? Do I need to set it at 15 for all my knives to get them razor sharp?
 
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Can you sharpen on both sides (belts moving up the edge and down) or will that slice the belts? How long do the belts last??

Yup. Go watch the video on the web site.

How long do the belts last? Don't ask me, I just got mine and my belts sharpened 4 blades today and their still sharp. This is one of those YRMV question.

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What angle would be best to sharpen pocket knives at? Do I need to set it at 15 for all my knives to get them razor sharp

The only knife of mine that's set at 25 degree is a Strider fixed blade. You have to ask your self what are you going to be cutting. If you just want to shave the hair off your forearm, yeah, 15 degrees would be good. Frankly, I cut a lot of cardboard, hardwood rope, etc. I do my primary grind at 18 degrees and then I do a micro bevel using the 20 degree slots on my Sharpmaker. I leave my edges a little toothy, to. No need for my requirements to be foreskin scalpel sharp;)
 
Thanks Barry for the detailed response. I will definitely look at picking one of these up.
 
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