Paper wheels profiling

S

Somedayrockstar

Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
41
I recently picked up some paper wheels to sharpen with instead of using my ken onion worksharp. Do the paper wheels do a convex edge or different? Normal v? I did a a few knives already and turned out decent for my first attempt but when I was doing my zero tolerance 0300 that had been sharpened on my ken onion I was having a little more difficulty especially in the clean looking edge department.
 
For practical purposes, the paper wheels will leave a v grind, but they technically leave a concave edge instead of a convex edge because the wheel is round.

The reason you have a hard time getting a clean edge is that paper wheels have a massive learning curve. When you sharpen, the edge will be botched with the slightest variation in angle because of the speed. The edge can also be a bit ugly because like the normal Worksharp there is a massive jump in grit instead of a smooth transition. The smaller the jump between grits the more refined the edge is, and the more large the gap the more work refining will take.
 
Thanks for the info. My edge on my zt was so clean and shiny before. I feel like it is sharper now. Just doesn't look as nice. I'll keep practicing. Need more knives to practice on.

I was thinking about the concave edge... Made sense in my head. Just didn't hear much about it.
 
I've been using paper wheels for 30 years. The big thing is hold the knife in both left and right hand the same way or position. Put it the knife back on the wheel the same place both right and left handed.I always put my thumb on the top of the blade to keep it steady as you move it across the wheel.keep the number of strokes the same on both sides till you raise a burr up then buff it off on the slotted wheel
 
No concave edges from a Paper Wheel.
Since it is used freehand and the wheel surface also has a minute amount of "give" the resulting edges will always have a certain amount of convexity in them.
 
I'm impressed with paper wheels for sure. Even though I'm still learning I'm impressed with my results. I may have to sell my ko worsharp now...
 
I made angle marks on my wheels in 5 degree increments up to 20 degree. When profiling, I true the angles with a level, find my angle, then grind away.

Not sure what you guys mean about an "ugly edge", my edges come out mirror polished after a paper wheel session. What wheels are you guys using? I'm using the "razor sharp edgemaking system" that comes with wax and aluminum oxide white compound; wax for the grit wheel, white for the slotted wheel.

There is a bit of a learning curve to getting an even apex, but it's mostly about focusing and understanding.
 
That's the same system I'm using.

As far as ugly edge I was just saying my ko worse sharp had it nice and smooth and super shiny. I'm getting better with my wheels but my first attempts didn't look as clean. Less shiny and slight varying angles.
 
I've never used a wheel, but I kinda like the guy here who uses a laser level to "mark" the wheel where he is going to sharpen. First put angle marks on the side of the wheel to indicate the position on the wheel for the angles you want to use. Line that up with the machine off. Then turn on the laser level and have it throw a line across the top of the wheel *right* at the angle mark you want to use. Then turn on the machine and run the edge along the laser level line. Voila! Seems brilliant to me. :)

Brian.
 
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