More pi$$ and moan about sharpening

[alphamaniv]

First off, please understand that this is in no way a reflection on the quality or anything else neg. about the ATC product line. It is my own shortcomings as a sharpener. So here it goes

AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! In case no one has noticed I am a bit obsessive over the edges on my edged tools. I LOVE to use the crap out of them then I like to get them back to perfection. Maybe thats the problem, but I can't get this edge to suit me. I even tried to change the angle to 30 degrees so I could use my trusty sharpmaker. I figure a little wider angle couldn't hurt, but after 120 passes (yes, I count them) on the med. stone then 80 on the fine and 80 more on the ultra fine stones (corners and flats on all grits) this thing still isn't right. Me thinks it is some sort of super steel and also a cruel joke on the part of ATC to drive me crazy!
So, how do the rest of you guys do it? (sharpen I mean.. keep it family friendly )
Please remember, this is just my shortcoming, please don't think this post is anything more than a plea for help. I am very happy with my hawk and will own another one or two, although the 19 degree angle on the next gen ranger is already giving me nightmares. Let the advice and laughter begin.

 

[RangerJD]

The question of sharpening has given many of our customers problems. Some of you may be having problems sharpening the hawks for a couple of different reasons. The main reason could be attriburted to the angle of the cutting edges. All of the bevels are put in by hand on the Vietnam Field Grade as well as the Tactical so they are not a true 30 degrees. They can vary as much as 5 to 10 degrees. So if you are trying to use a Sharpmaker or similar product and going off of the 30 degree angle you may be doing more harm than good. My suggestion is to do it by hand with light preasure and see if you can get it that way. If you are still having problems lay the head flat on a table so the blade face over hangs the edge and free hand it that way. One last note, from my experience working with 1060 it responds better to the medium or 220 grit better than a coarse or fine stone. Hope this helps.

 

[alphamaniv]

I'll try the lay it flat way, I guess that I just don't trust myself to keep it right. I am afraid I'll end up with a wavy edge. Thanks for the info, and a personal thanks to you for customer service. Also, congrats on your move up in the company.

 

[Rev. Pete]

I use a line of Sharpie (aka Magic Marker) on the edge and adjust my sharpening angle so that I am removing the line at the edge. I'll admit it is a little cumbersome on the Sharpmaker but I haven't had to do a lot of tomahawk sharpening so far. On a tomahawk I settle for "hair scraping" sharp. My theory is that if I get the edge of the tomahawk razor sharp it will just get ruined the first time I chop something.