Mnandi Sharpening Angle - Sharpmaker (or other advice)

[JBoone]

Hey guys (and gals) was hoping somebody had some advice for me on the best angle to use sharpening the Mnandi on the syderco Sharpmaker.

I have 4 sets of stones, Diamond, Grey, White, and extra fine. I usually find that a 40 degree inclusive works well enough for me. Do you think that this is a good angle for the Mnandi? I guess I only really have 2 choices on the Sharpmaker, the 30 and the 40 degree. I often put the back bevel on at 30 then sharpen at 40 finishing on a strop.

Does anyone use the sharpmakers on their Mnandi's out there that has any advice for me?
Not sure that it matters, but mine is S35VN and will be used mostly in the office. I am just realizing that it is not pushig through paper very smootly now and is time for its first real sharpening.

P.S. Also have a belt sander with plenty of Trizact belts to convex if I want to. I could go this route as well but am leaning towards a V bevel.

And don't say get a edge pro! I probably will at some point but not yet

 

[d.r.h.]

There's NO single answer for this. You are going to have to marker the edge to see how the edge is set and go from there deciding what to do.

 

[hapasnyper]

When i got my mnandi the edge was way obtuse i wasn't able to just sharpen off the sharpmaker. I had an edge pro so i put a 36 degree inclusive edge on, now i just touch up on the sharpmaker at 40 degrees. But since you have the diamond rods you could probably just reprofile with that. All my Chris Reeve Knives were never able to just sharpen on the sharpmaker out of box like they say it will, every one ive had to reprofile.

 

[masterserg]

What do you want out of it? Durability? Hair splitting sharpness? For a user, my personal preference is a V at 20, even 22 degrees. It's a good balance between durability and slicing ability. 15 degrees goes away too quickly (in my experience of course).

 

[JBoone]

What do you want out of it? Durability? Hair splitting sharpness? For a user, my personal preference is a V at 20, even 22 degrees. It's a good balance between durability and slicing ability. 15 degrees goes away too quickly (in my experience of course).

I don't need hair splitting, I think that I will give the 40 degrees a try starting with a re profile with the diamonds and do my best to refine from there. Thanks guys.

 

[Ken44]

I don't need hair splitting, I think that I will give the 40 degrees a try starting with a re profile with the diamonds and do my best to refine from there. Thanks guys.

I go with 40 on mine, and have never had to reprofile, and never needed the diamonds.
The ones I've sharpend came from the factory around 18 per side.
All of mine are Regulars, or Classics, but I would wouldn't think the 21's would be over 40.

 

[JBoone]

I go with 40 on mine, and have never had to reprofile, and never needed the diamonds.
The ones I've sharpend came from the factory around 18 per side.
All of mine are Regulars, or Classics, but I would wouldn't think the 21's would be over 40.

I suppose you are correct regarding reprofiling. If I am going to 40 from anything less than 40 I should not have to use the diamond since I am not knocking off the shoulders? It still seems like I will need to remove some metal to get a consistent bevel established?

I suppose I should start with the grey stones, work up burrs, and go from there. Can always move to the diamond for a few swipes if needed.

 

[masterserg]

I have gone as far as 48 on a Sebenza and it still slices paper and shaves arm hair like there is no tomorrow. Well ... 24, 23, 22, 21 and 20 blended together with a lot of stropping. A convex bevel is cool but it is a pain to maintain.

 

[lhouseman]

I've been carrying a Mnandi daily for about 7 years now. I sharpen it every 6 months or so on an Edgepro to about 19-19.5 degrees, then touch it up periodically on the 20 degree Sharpmaker sticks. I could get it sharper (i.e. a 15 degree wicked edge), but 19-20 degrees makes for a sharp, durable edge and works well for me. Mine is the old style with S30V.