KME frustrations...grrrrr.

Mako109

Mako109

Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
729
Re-profiled and put a polished edge on about 15-20 knives with the KME so far with generally good to great results and continually improving. However, after so many knives I still randomly get grit scratches on the blades. I can do perhaps two or three knives with near perfect results, then suddenly the third or forth knife will have grit scratches in several places. I've been using soapy water to lubricate the diamond hones and wipe after each pass, as recommended in previous posts. Edge angle about 17 to 17.5 degrees. I'm going to try 18 degrees going forward. ADDENDUM: I typically start re-profiling with 50 grit, sometimes 100 grit. I've noticed the grit scratches starting somewhere between the 140 and 300 grits.

1. Anyone else have the same experience? Does Wicked Edge systems have the same challenges?

2. Best way to remove the grit scratches?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Mako109 said:
1. Anyone else have the same experience? Does Wicked Edge systems have the same challenges?
Click to expand...
Are you referring to scratches on the blade itself? I've had the Wicked Edge since 2013 and I've never scratched the blade before.
 
I'm not familiar with the KME other than a few videos. Is it just from hitting the blade with the tip of the stone by accident?
 
tokerblue said:
I'm not familiar with the KME other than a few videos. Is it just from hitting the blade with the tip of the stone by accident?
Click to expand...
No, I'm sure that's not the issue, but thank you for helping to troubleshoot my sharpening woes. I'm beginning to regret not buying the Wicked Edge which was my first choice to begin with.
 
I had that problem yrs ago.. Found out the stones were bade.. Contacted KME.. They did nothing.. Waited a yr and replaced the stones.. Problem solved.. I bought and used diamond stones in the interim..
Not a KME fan..
Went back to my Lansky..
John
 
Mako109 said:
That sounds like it might work, I'll give it try. Thank you skyhorse.
Click to expand...
I'd clean them with a toothbrush and something like bar keepers friend , then try mineral oil . It may do a better job of keeping your stones from clogging up ?
 
jmh33 said:
I had that problem yrs ago.. Found out the stones were bade.. Contacted KME.. They did nothing.. Waited a yr and replaced the stones.. Problem solved.. I bought and used diamond stones in the interim..
Not a KME fan..
Went back to my Lansky..
John
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm beginning to wonder about my choice of KME. Maybe great for general sharpening but not that great for re-profiling and mirror polishing. Especially when the diamond hones are new which increases the chances for loose grit and scratches.
 
skyhorse said:
I'd clean them with a toothbrush and something like bar keepers friend , then try mineral oil . It may do a better job of keeping your stones from clogging up ?
Click to expand...
I'll give the toothbrush a try as well. Previously I was merely wiping them with a damp towel after each pass.
 
Mako109 said:
Yes, I'm beginning to wonder about my choice of KME. Maybe great for general sharpening but not that great for re-profiling and mirror polishing. Especially when the diamond hones are new which increases the chances for loose grit and scratches.
Click to expand...
I had trouble with the stones and not the diamonds.. Kinda odd..🤔
John:)
 
Mako109 said:
Re-profiled and put a polished edge on about 15-20 knives with the KME so far with generally good to great results and continually improving. However, after so many knives I still randomly get grit scratches on the blades. I can do perhaps two or three knives with near perfect results, then suddenly the third or forth knife will have grit scratches in several places. I've been using soapy water to lubricate the diamond hones and wipe after each pass, as recommended in previous posts. Edge angle about 17 to 17.5 degrees. I'm going to try 18 degrees going forward. ADDENDUM: I typically start re-profiling with 50 grit, sometimes 100 grit. I've noticed the grit scratches starting somewhere between the 140 and 300 grits.

1. Anyone else have the same experience? Does Wicked Edge systems have the same challenges?

2. Best way to remove the grit scratches?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I use a Hapstone V8, and I'm not generally concerned about scratches on my blade. But on the few occasions where scratches are a concern, I cover as much of the blade as possible, all but the edge being sharpened, with some masking tape.

O.B.
 
Old Biker said:
I use a Hapstone V8, and I'm not generally concerned about scratches on my blade. But on the few occasions where scratches are a concern, I cover as much of the blade as possible, all but the edge being sharpened, with some masking tape.

O.B.
Click to expand...
Hmmm...I'll have to give that a try. Thank you Old Biker.
 
It's just something that can happen with diamond plates because diamonds will break loose on occasion, and particularly when the stones are relatively new. I think the best way to avoid it until the stones are fully broken in is to avoid letting water and swarf accumulate on the blade. I think what happens is that diamonds build up in the swarf, and edge leading strokes drag the swarf up the blade, causing scratches.
 
I see you're referring to scratches on the blade itself, not the edge.

In that case, one of a few things could be happening:

1 - You're wiping the blade with a cloth and getting the rogue broken off pieces of diamond between the cloth and blade, scratching the blade. It can happen in one wipe.

2 - During some of your up stokes (edge leading strokes), you may possibly be slightly slipping over the edge bevel and onto the blade. If so, try using a stopper to restrict your stroke length.

3 - There may be swarf or diamond bits on the inside of your clamp when clamping the knife. Always make sure to clean the inside of the clamp properly before clamping a knife. When particles get lodged into the rubber (if you have rubber in your clamp), it could embed itself into the rubber semi permanently and be almost impossible to remove. This will scratch every future knife you clamp. I personally always prefer clean, bare metal (non-KME) aftermarket clamps with no rubber lining for this reason.

If you're having trouble with the stones, then have a look on www.gritomatic.com. We stock a huge variety of aftermarket stones for the KME unit. Gritomatic will also soon be releasing a brand new line of stone holders for the KME (and many other sharpeners) which would allow you to use any 6 or 4 inch stone on your KME. We will also have a clamp bar available soon for the KME unit on which you can install a huge variety of aftermarket clamps (and multiple clamps at once.)
 
Last edited:
777 Edge said:
I see you're referring to scratches on the blade itself, not the edge.

In that case, one of a few things could be happening:

1 - You're wiping the blade with a cloth and getting the rogue broken off pieces of diamond between the cloth and blade, scratching the blade. It can happen in one wipe.

2 - During some of your up stokes (edge leading strokes), you may possibly be slightly slipping over the edge bevel and onto the blade. If so, try using a stopper to restrict your stroke length.

3 - There may be swarf or diamond bits on the inside of your clamp when clamping the knife. Always make sure to clean the inside of the clamp properly before clamping a knife. When particles get lodged into the rubber (if you have rubber in your clamp), it could embed itself into the rubber semi permanently and be almost impossible to remove. This will scratch every future knife you clamp. I personally always prefer clean, bare metal (non-KME) aftermarket clamps with no rubber lining for this reason.

If you're having trouble with the stones, then have a look on www.gritomatic.com. We stock a huge variety of aftermarket stones for the KME unit. Gritomatic will also soon be releasing a brand new line of stone holders for the KME (and many other sharpeners) which would allow you to use any 6 or 4 inch stone on your KME. We will also have a clamp bar available soon for the KME unit on which you can install a huge variety of aftermarket clamps (and multiple clamps at once.)
Click to expand...
I'll check out the link and Made in Ukraine, hell yeah!!!
 
Actually, many other products sold from Gritomatic, are made in the USA.

Hapstone (awesome sharpeners by the way) is made in Ukraine.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top