Manufacturer Edges?

[ayz]

I'm not a big fan of the magic marker method, just cause i don't like marking up my blades. So my question is, do manufacturers make all their edges pretty much the same, and if so, what are the angles? I'm wondering this for Benchmade, Camillus, and Spyderco. More specifically, the BM710Hs, the BM140 Nimravus (154CM), the Camillus Cuda MAXX, and Spyderco Manix

 

[WadeF]

No, they can vary from knife to knife, even if it's the same model from the same manufacturer. However, Spyderco tries to put a 40 degree edge on their knives so they are easier to touch up with the Sharpmaker, but I don't know if there is any guarantee that all their knives will have the same angle.

Magic Marker easily washes off the blade. I usually use a tooth brush and a little soap. Probably could also try a little Flitz on a towel or rag and rub it off with that.

 

[Starfish]

ayzianboy,

I think we would need to know more about your sharpening strategy in order to answer whether or not manufacturers run their edge "pretty much the same."

If you are using a Sharpmaker, and all you are interested in doing is setting the microbevel at 40*, then as long as all manufacturers ran their secondary bevels at a few degrees less than 40*...you could say that all manufacturers run their edge "pretty much the same."

If you are using an EdgePro or benchstones, and you want to find out how long it will take you to set a 30* included back bevel, then I can answer that no, not all manufacturers run their edge "pretty much the same."

Enough unhelpful advice. Magic marker on the blade (I find Sharpies work best) doesn't mark up your knife permanently or even semi-permanently. The sharpening job takes care of most of the marker, and a little light oil (I use Rem Oil) takes off the rest.

If you're really dead set on not using a magic marker, get a 10x loupe and look at the scratch patterns before and after. That should give you a hint as to where the manufacturer edge is set in relation to your sharpening setup.

Hope this helps somewhat,

Matthew

 

[ayz]

this is on the sharpmaker.

i was just wondering if anyone knew the angles ahead of time on my knives (speicfically the BM710 and 635) so that I didn't have to mess around and possibly screw it up trying to figure out the angles

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I'm not a big fan of the magic marker method, just cause i don't like marking up my blades.

If you pick up a cheap magnifier, 10x will do, you can just check the scratch pattern on the edge to get the right angle.

However, Spyderco tries to put a 40 degree edge on their knives

They are usually under 30, even the Byrd's are significantly under 40.

-Cliff

 

[HoB]

Actually, Spyderco tries to put a 30 deg included edge on their knifes. But all of their knifes are hand sharpened, so they can vary by a couple of degrees. My Lil'T was more like 17 deg. per side, my Manix, and Yo were pretty close to 15 per side.

Cliff beat me to it :grumpy: ...

 

[HoB]

An easy and pretty accurate way to figure out edge angle is by taking a protractor and a piece of paper, sliding the blade along the edge of the paper (having it stick out over the corner of a table) and to increase the angle of the knife to the paper, till the edge bites. Hold the knife in this position, but a ruler against the blade and make a line with a pencil. Repeat a few times and then measure the angle of the pencile line with respect to the edge of the paper. Of course this measures only the angle at the very edge. Not the relief angle if the edge has something like that.

 

[Ebbtide]

You can get the marker off with WD40, rubbing alcohol or soap & water.
Depending on which marker you use.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I slipped with my sharpie and made a line across the entire blade on my Buck 110, it just wiped right off, you have nothing to worry about

 

[Psychopomp]

You can get the marker off with WD40, rubbing alcohol or soap & water.
Depending on which marker you use.

A little hairspray on a towel will work too, don't spray it on the knife unless you like sticky knvies. Wipe it off with a damp cloth after.

 

[underaged!]

You can get the marker off with WD40, rubbing alcohol or soap & water.
Depending on which marker you use.

I do the alcohol too. You got to make sure you get it all off, otherwise there'll be a big, but faint spot.

 

[Stockman]

With your 710 and 635, the 30 degree on the sharpmaker is useless, unless you are prepared to profile away for hours and hours. The 40 degree guides should take you to the edge with little or no re-profiling. All the Benchmades I have owned were all ground around 40 degrees inclusive, but I have ground them all below 30 degrees.

 

[edb]

"...hours and hours..." [to go from 40 to 30]

I can definately believe that with the ceramic rods, but how about with the diamond rods? I just bought some; haven't used them much yet (no need)...?

 

[brownshoe]

Get down on your knees and look at the knife edge as it hits your sharpmaker. You'll instantly know if the 30 of 40 degree angle is better for you blade. You'll also see how much metal you'll have to remove to get to the angle of your choice.

 

[Lil Timmy]

Benchmade and Spyderco use 40 degrees.