Knife sharpening trouble shooting

[xxspeakxx]

So I bought a Kabar short yesterday at the local army navy store. As my own tradition, I like to sharpen any new knife I get.

The knife was plenty sharp when I got it, but I still ran it a couple times on my stone. A portable two sided diamond coated sharpener, with a hallow rubber grip for storage.

Anyway when every time I tested the sharpness by slicing a piece of paper there seems to be tears along the cuts and a little bit of paper stuck to the blade. I've resharpened the knife since but I still keep having the same problem.

I've used this same sharpener many times with many different knives and haven't had this happen before, at least not continuously. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's time to retire my sharpener and get a new one, or if my technique isn't as solid as I once thought. (I brace the sharpener on my thigh and do slow strokes starting at the hilt and sliding towards the tip, keeping a 45 degree angle.)

Any thoughts or suggestions?


Bonus question: there's a small dot of exposed metal on the pommel. Any idea what it's for? It's not magnetic and it's to small for a fire starter.

 

[uxo2]

my technique isn't as solid as I once thought. (I brace the sharpener on my thigh and do slow strokes starting at the hilt and sliding towards the tip, keeping a 45 degree angle.)


Bonus question: there's a small dot of exposed metal on the pommel. Any idea what it's for? It's not magnetic and it's to small for a fire starter.

You answered your first question
my technique isn't as solid as I once thought.
I use a table when Im using stones or a Sharpmaker.


For number 2 question.

A pic would be helpful

 

[xxspeakxx]

Cool thanks, Just tried setting on the counter, and that seemed to have done the trick. Even shaved a few hairs off my arm. The grip made it a little challenging to work around though, so that sharpener's going into the B.O.B and I'll have to find one with a table mount.



the exposed steel on the pommel.

 

[HeavyHanded]

You could always hold the knife braced on your thigh/knee and bring the hone to it like a file. Might just be that its a bit larger tool than you're used to working on.

The shiny piece of metal I'm pretty sure is a drift pin, holds the grip to the tang.