New ZT 551 Not Sharp

G

Gadgetman7

Joined
Sep 30, 2001
Messages
932
I just got a ZT 551 and it's not sharp at all. It won't shave or cleanly cut paper. I tried to sharpen it on a Spyderco Sharpmaker without much success. Does anyone know the correct angle? Also, how long does Kershaw take to turn around a knife if I send it back for sharpening?
 
Gadgetman7 said:
I just got a ZT 551 and it's not sharp at all. It won't shave or cleanly cut paper. I tried to sharpen it on a Spyderco Sharpmaker without much success. Does anyone know the correct angle? Also, how long does Kershaw take to turn around a knife if I send it back for sharpening?
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Should be ~19-22 degrees for the angle on the knife (~40 for the sharpmaker). ZT's turnaround time is faster than most - I'd send an email to warranty (warrantyinfo@kai-usa.com) and explain the issue and see what they say. :)
 
Did this one slip through the QC cracks? Referencing the vid of the manufacturing tour which showcased workers running knifes through a paper cut test once they're ready to ship. Didn't have the same issues with a couple that I have in hand, they're shaving sharp out of the box.

Why not give them a call? Hope that you get yours sorted out.
 
I've noticed the bevel is a bit obtuse on the 0551, enough that the Sharpmaker wouldn't touch it.

However, I would recommend clamping P60 grit sandpaper onto the Sharpmaker rods to sharpen it. I prefer not to send out my knives for sharpening every time they get dull. And given that Elmax can take an edge keen enough to split free-hanging hair, I think it's worth putting some effort into self-sharpening for that steel.
 
Gadgetman7 said:
I just got a ZT 551 and it's not sharp at all. It won't shave or cleanly cut paper. I tried to sharpen it on a Spyderco Sharpmaker without much success. Does anyone know the correct angle? Also, how long does Kershaw take to turn around a knife if I send it back for sharpening?
Click to expand...

I just recently sent a ZT 0200 in for sharpening. The form says it takes 6-8 weeks but I received it back within about 3.
 
Mine isn't very sharp either. I just tried the paper test, and it failed horribly.

It didn't cut the paper...it ripped it. :grumpy:
 
Gadgetman7 said:
I just got a ZT 551 and it's not sharp at all. It won't shave or cleanly cut paper. I tried to sharpen it on a Spyderco Sharpmaker without much success. Does anyone know the correct angle? Also, how long does Kershaw take to turn around a knife if I send it back for sharpening?
Click to expand...

Run a black magic marker down the edge on both sides and see if your Sharpmaker is taking it off when used in the 40 degree setting. If not, as Noctis3880 posted, the angle may be off which means you'll need to reprofile the edge. You can do that with the grey/coarse Sharpmaker rods but a set of the diamond rods would make it go a lot faster. The sandpaper trick would be the quickest if you don't have or don't care to get the diamond rods.
 
You guys were right about the angle. I used an old Sharpmaker at 22.5 degrees and it worked fine. It took a long time but I finally got a hair popping edge. I guess whoever sharpened the blade just had a bad day.
 
Gadgetman7 said:
You guys were right about the angle. I used an old Sharpmaker at 22.5 degrees and it worked fine. It took a long time but I finally got a hair popping edge. I guess whoever sharpened the blade just had a bad day.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear man :thumbup:
 
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