New BK2 Owner

N

NCDON

Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
8
Hello all,

After a little research I picked up a BK2 and am disappointed at how dull the blade is out of the box. I am not experienced at sharping but have access to a Gatco kit.

Ka-Bar specification is 20 degree for this blade, but the Gatco kit holder closest is 19 or 25 degrees. I am guessing I could use 19 and all would be OK? The Gatco kit instructions are clear, start with the course stone and progress to the fine stone but I am wondering how many strokes are typically needed from each stone to get a good sharp blade.

I also read about and that the sheath that comes with the knife actually dulls the blade, any truth to this and what have you done to correct this problem?
 
Welcome NCDON. Lemme see what I can do to help.

1) Sorry your knife came dull. That seems a bit odd, but it has happened before. If you're gonna own a knife, you gotta know how to sharpen it. Which, it sound like you are ready to do.

2) Gatco makes an OK sharpener, but if that's the only one you got, then its a great sharpener.

3) Yes, Kabar says 20 degrees per side, or 40 degree inclusive. But, that's not always the case with sharpeners, so, there are a few things you'll have to do. Strokes are irrelevant, its about the burr, I'll link you somewhere in just a second.

4) Sheath dulling did occur during a period where Kabar had too much glass in the glass filled nylon sheath. This is a good news, bad new situation. Bad news, if you sharpen your knife, sheath it a couple of times, and it comes out dull, then yeah, you probably got a heavy glass filled sheath. Good news, it won't do it for long, you will "cut" out the parts where it dulls the blade.

More good news, if you call Kabar and ask them nicely, they might send you an Injection molded plastic one, or what some call a "less glass filled nylon" sheath. OR, you could look into an aftermarket sheath if you wish.

Read this thread, first. This a thread I done about the KME, the premise of both systems are the same, its just that the KME is a much better system, IMO.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...and-BKT-s-A-sharpening-tutorial?highlight=KME

Next, feel free to hang out, read, converse and enjoy your time here, there are tons of threads on sharpening, and so on, as well as sheaths that you might find interesting.

Moose
 
Hello and welcome! I believe 19 would be fine but ill let the more experienced people answer that one, how many strokes? how many licks to the center of a tootsie pop? it just depends bud, i dont even count strokes when sharpening i go until i get the burr switch sides same thing, then strop evenly on both sides. atleast thats how i go about it. The sheath dulling topic is one thats beat all to hell here but i have not noticed an issue, but i draw my knife with care letting the spine ride out, not the edge. Custom sheaths are really the way to go when funds approve tho.

Anyway im sure you will have every answer you need, the people here are great for the most part and willing to help out, take a few moments to read thru the forum, theres also a search box on top where you can find the answer to most of your questions.

Pull up a chair, take off your shoes and enjoy yourself.
 
worldwood said:
Dang it the moose man beat me again! i need to work on my typing speed!
Click to expand...

Noob.

:D

If there is anything you need help with NCDON, just holler, there's always a few of us around. Even some slower ones. :D

Moose
 
Is important to always put or take your BK2 knife pressing against the back of the sheath and never leave the area between cutting or scraping the skirt hem
 
Well I had some time this evening to sharpen the BK2. followed instructions starting with the course stone, got the burr, flip and repeat with other side and then change to the next finer stone and repeat.

Since the BK 2 is powder coated and I am stoning at a 19 degree angle I have been removing a little powder coat and it I can see that I have more exposed edge on one side then the other. Not sure why, since I am using the same 19 degree angle?

Seems the powder coating has coated my stones, how do I clean them?

Not so easy doing this for the first time...
 
NCDON said:
Well I had some time this evening to sharpen the BK2. followed instructions starting with the course stone, got the burr, flip and repeat with other side and then change to the next finer stone and repeat.

Since the BK 2 is powder coated and I am stoning at a 19 degree angle I have been removing a little powder coat and it I can see that I have more exposed edge on one side then the other. Not sure why, since I am using the same 19 degree angle?

Seems the powder coating has coated my stones, how do I clean them?

Not so easy doing this for the first time...
Click to expand...

Hone oil.

Google it. I don't wanna be accused of deal spotting.
 
You will get the hang of it, the directions for the stones should have cleaning instructions or ask the google. Hot soapy water is what I use on diamond stones or a Work Sharp which is a mini belt sander and have never looked into cleaning the belts. The factory edge on most knives is not sharp enough for me, I usually touch them up after opening and inspecting them. The sharper you get it the faster it will get dull though so that's something to keep in mind. If you will be slicing tomatoes you want a very keen edge, if you will be bashing through wood with it then it won't need to be shaving sharp. A very fine sharp edge will wear faster than a thicker (duller) edge. When I get on a sharpening kick, they all feel dull to me because I get a callus on my thumb from feeling the blades. Its a great knife by the way, pretty much indestructible, and about the right size do accomplish most tasks.

If the angles are matching just try to make sure your strokes are the same angle even with the guides they can be a degree or two off.
 
Hey NCDON.....

Sorry about the not perfect edge.......In a sense the way you are going about fixing it will be a long term boon.....All knives eventually get lazy edges and the vast majority of folks never get it back to sharp..... Your perseverance will pay off the rest of your life.......

Jerry Fisk flushes his stones with WD40........Dish detergent and water works......I put my Norton Stones I use in the kitchen in the dishwasher( WD 40 does not taste good to me and I understand very few acquire a taste for it)......Mineral oil works for a honing oil as does Automatic Transmission Fluid......Many ways to skin this kitty......Relax about minor differences in angles as what you are cutting probably will not care......for general work anything between about 15 degrees to 22degrees will work just fine...... The burr IS the thing.......Remember all edges are a compromise between a razor blade and a cold chisel......

Hope this helps.....

Ethan
 
Congrats on a great blade man!!!! Im a hand sharpening fan, and consequently, my angles are never even close to uniform. Nothing ive ever cut really cared lol. Its all about that final edge.
 
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