Maintaing proper angle on benchstones

[daedge804]

I can't seem to get it right. Are there any tricks to maintaining proper angle? and I've seen people use coins such as quaters to get the proper angle...how would I do that? The angles I want to achieve are 10,15,and 20 degree angles

 

[David Martin]

Try some of the angle guides and pratice, pratice ... You'll get better . DM

 

[THG]

Get a block or something to profile it at 10, 15, 20, or whatever you want.

From there, you shouldn't have to work to "hold an angle." Sharpening is done mostly by feel if you ask me (and I think our sharpening guru, Knifenut, agrees.) You start your stroke at a more acute angle and then start raising your angle. There should be a point of resistance indicating that you are at the edge. I've heard some people call it "locking in the edge."

After you develop that feel, you don't really have to worry about "holding an angle." It's not an easy thing to do, though. It takes practice and a lot of it.

 

[cj65]

My hands are not too steady either, hard to keep things straight, so I made a template. I cut a 12 degree ramp out of a 4x4. It is under the stones, sorry but it is the only pic I have of it. I also use it to guide my home made paddle strops as well. It was simple enough. I put the stone on the 12 degree ramp, and I focus on keeping the blade spine to edge horizontal. Of course on a belly curve towards the tip, I have to raise the butt of the knife also to keep the bevel somewhat equal. In the words spoken of by Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption: Time and pressure. You will learn by doing. You are the best teacher for this. Use a sharpie and a magnifier to see where you are taking off metal, this is a must. Send me a message if you have any questions.

 

[me2]

I use the same ramp shown above. Mine is built with a base to allow me to turn it vertical as well, similar to a Sharpmaker.