New XM-18...which steel?

[RubiconSS]

LMAO

I cut one garden hose yesterday and my 20CV went from paper slicing with no problem to paper slicing with a big problem. A good stropping should bring it back and it's not bad enough yet to try out my new WE but still I am a little miffed. The reason, more than likely, is the hose. Not your garden variety garden hose but more of an old brtittle plasticy thing that I needed to shorten.

Tough duty, Worlsd Largest Zip-Tie from the sound of it.

 

[Varga Knives]

I guess so. I think I'm going to have to teach that hose a lesson and cut it up into lots of small pieces. That'l learn it.

BTW - this retribution is well deserved and has nothing to do with me looking for an excuse to use my new Wicked Edge!

 

[RubiconSS]

I guess so. I think I'm going to have to teach that hose a lesson and cut it up into lots of small pieces. That'l learn it.

BTW - this retribution is well deserved and has nothing to do with me looking for an excuse to use my new Wicked Edge!

Beat it with another Hose first. I don't know why but it just sounds like an unusual thing to do.
Make sure the neighbors see you do it too. Don't yell, just laugh and then sing the Barney Song while you cut it up.
I guarantee no body will ever steal your paper!

My neighbors avoid me altogether

 

[Varga Knives]

I like your style (he says nodding slowly, squinting with a slight smile and his head cocked knowingly to one side ((the left in this case)).

But I was being sarcastic, I just want to use my Wicked Edge. Maybe I'll try and whittle me some concrete.

I did send my 1000 grit stone back for a replacement. Hopefully I'll get it soon.

 

[RubiconSS]

I like your style (he says nodding slowly, squinting with a slight smile and his head cocked knowingly to one side ((the left in this case)).

But I was being sarcastic, I just want to use my Wicked Edge. Maybe I'll try and whittle me some concrete.

I did send my 1000 grit stone back for a replacement. Hopefully I'll get it soon.

Yeah, (I say nodding slowly looking out from under my glasses) in the meantime...
You can tape strips of 1000 grit from Autozone or any of those places, they sell all kinds of grits all the way up to 2000/2500, cheap. Last ya forever. Pick some up to fill in the gaps of your paddles.
I think I picked up 1000/1500/2000/2500. Makes for more sharpening fun and the Mirror finish is fun to run after the neighbors with going, "Look" You can see yourself!
Oh, the screams....Priceless!

 

[cziv]

If you use the tape on one side won't it throw the angle off for sharpening?

 

[RubiconSS]

If you use the tape on one side won't it throw the angle off for sharpening?

If I am using strips of sandpaper (the wet sanding type from an autoparts store) I make up BOTH paddles with the tape. Cut the strips to be same width as paddle face but about 1" inch short.
Then I use Blue painters tape to afix them to a paddle face flat and tight.
Works great. I especially noticed a positive effect on the mirroring of the edge as well as edge refinement.

Mirror finish-

Sharp Too!

 

[Varga Knives]

Rubi - Do your neighborhood kids avoid the "scary man's" house on Halloween?

That's great about the sandpaper. After I finish reprofiling every knife in my house I'll turn my 100/200 stone into a 1400/1600.

How does using the sandpaper compare to the Diamonds, though?

Wow, was this thread highjacked. Sorry, but I think the OP was answered... 20CV

 

[RubiconSS]

Rubi - Do your neighborhood kids avoid the "scary man's" house on Halloween?

That's great about the sandpaper. After I finish reprofiling every knife in my house I'll turn my 100/200 stone into a 1400/1600.

How does using the sandpaper compare to the Diamonds, though?

Wow, was this thread highjacked. Sorry, but I think the OP was answered... 20CV

I have found that wet sandpaper (used dry) of the same grit as the Diamond Paddles is less agressive. I judge this both by feel and sound but, the big advantage is using the wet paper to fill in the gaps and tighten up the grit jumps in the higher refinement stages.
Kids and animals Love me, it's the Adults that started to whisper

Additional info for the OP (and others) 20CV is good stuff.
http://www.agrussell.com/Steel_Guide/a/73/

 

[cziv]

Out of my XM-18's I love the DT20CV. Maybe it's in my mind cuz it's my user/beater EDC. I've batoned (a little to show off), feathered sticks to start fires, cut wheelbarrows full of cardboard, used it in the kitchen - you name it. That is one wicked cutting blade. I did knock the bevel back to approx. 40° inclusive though and haven't had any chips or degradation, other than some nicks here and there from sharpening. I hand sharpen so once in awhile I experience a whoopsie scratch.

 

[Varga Knives]

"knoocked it back" - What was it before? I was under the impression that all XM's are 40 degrees +/- and that was what I am planning to reprofile all my knives to. Not because it's appropriate for all my knives but I just like to keep things simple.

 

[RubiconSS]

"knoocked it back" - What was it before? I was under the impression that all XM's are 40 degrees +/- and that was what I am planning to reprofile all my knives to. Not because it's appropriate for all my knives but I just like to keep things simple.

My understanding is that its closer to 26* but they are freehanded on a belt sander so it could vary. As for adopting a baseline of 20* for all knives just to keep it simple. I wouldn't advise that. The W.E. makes it simple enough just record your settings in your book so you can replicate accurately. Different knives and different purposes will dictate what you choose to do and you can't put material back on so reprofiling should be done sparingly and after much contemplation IMO.

 

[cziv]

"knoocked it back" - What was it before? I was under the impression that all XM's are 40 degrees +/- and that was what I am planning to reprofile all my knives to. Not because it's appropriate for all my knives but I just like to keep things simple.

It was around 50'ish, but each knife is hand sharpened so YMMV. I saw a post the other day where one was 52° - a perfect 26° on each side which is quite a feat for hand sharpening. Rick is the man! :thumbup:

BTW, I think over 40° is not unreasonable for a hard use folder like an XM-18 or 24. The knife can still shave hair and have a nice strong bevel angle applied to it.

 

[Varga Knives]

All right, you have me rethinking my laziness. I know it's easy to keep track of each knive's angles for future sharpening (which I have dilligently logged), but my problem is the mysterious triangle: intended use, blade material, and uh, there was a third thing, wasn't therre? Okay, it's a mysterious line for now. I've only sharpened a couple of kitchen knives to 40 deg and some beater folders. A Spyderco VG-10 FFG, an old Kershaw Vapor II and a Benchmade D2 AFCK Prototype, all to 40. Bad move?

 

[RubiconSS]

All right, you have me rethinking my laziness. I know it's easy to keep track of each knive's angles for future sharpening (which I have dilligently logged), but my problem is the mysterious triangle: intended use, blade material, and uh, there was a third thing, wasn't therre? Okay, it's a mysterious line for now. I've only sharpened a couple of kitchen knives to 40 deg and some beater folders. A Spyderco VG-10 FFG, an old Kershaw Vapor II and a Benchmade D2 AFCK Prototype, all to 40. Bad move?

No.
Yes, the third thing is - Have fun. It's all about the relaxation