Para-military 2 Needs Sharpening?

czechinthepipes · Mar 30, 2012

Hey all,

Well I have had my Para2 for about 6 and half months; carried it around 185 or so days and put it through a decent bit of work. Well I have noticed that although it is still quite sharp, it definitely has lost its factory edge; plus I just recently noticed 3 tiny chips on the edge. Also, if you look closely you can also tell there is a slight burr forming in a few places along with some minor edge rolling.

So, my question is, does it sound like it is time to sharpen it? I ask because a) this would be the first time sharpening it, b) of all my knives this is my nicest (and favorite) and I don't want to sharpen it too early, and c) although I have a good sharpening kit and my skills are pretty good I definitely don't want to sharpen it if it doesn't need it and taking a risk on me messing it up (that seems to me the recurring worry).

If I do sharpen it, which I really don't mind doing if it needs I would like to know what is the factory edge? I was thinking around 17-20 degrees. I personally like setting all my EDC pocket knives at 20 degrees, what do you all suggest specifically for the Para2?

I am asking my fellow 'Spydie' enthusiasts since I am still quite the newbie in general and would rather have your specific advice on my spyderco.

Any advice or opinions on this would be great, and any tips or suggestions for sharpening the Para2 specifically is greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks

_Czech

rg02 · Mar 30, 2012

What sharpening setup do you have ? I sharpen my spydies using 30 deg inclusive on the back bevel and 40 deg inclusive on the micro bevel on the sharpmaker. I finish up with my strop after that. that works great on my PM2

videl · Mar 30, 2012

30/40 is good, or 30inc

singularity35 · Mar 30, 2012

czechinthepipes said:
Hey all,

Well I have had my Para2 for about 6 and half months; carried it around 185 or so days and put it through a decent bit of work. Well I have noticed that although it is still quite sharp, it definitely has lost its factory edge; plus I just recently noticed 3 tiny chips on the edge. Also, if you look closely you can also tell there is a slight burr forming in a few places along with some minor edge rolling.

So, my question is, does it sound like it is time to sharpen it? I ask because a) this would be the first time sharpening it, b) of all my knives this is my nicest (and favorite) and I don't want to sharpen it too early, and c) although I have a good sharpening kit and my skills are pretty good I definitely don't want to sharpen it if it doesn't need it and taking a risk on me messing it up (that seems to me the recurring worry).

If I do sharpen it, which I really don't mind doing if it needs I would like to know what is the factory edge? I was thinking around 17-20 degrees. I personally like setting all my EDC pocket knives at 20 degrees, what do you all suggest specifically for the Para2?

I am asking my fellow 'Spydie' enthusiasts since I am still quite the newbie in general and would rather have your specific advice on my spyderco.

Any advice or opinions on this would be great, and any tips or suggestions for sharpening the Para2 specifically is greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks

_Czech

Nah, don't sharpen it....

Szilard · Mar 30, 2012

Sharpen it. Sharper is actually safer for you. Take your time. Use finer stones rather than coarse stones. You may have to invest a lot of time and a lot of strokes. Don't use a lot of pressure. Use light pressure if any pressure and don't fully pull the tip off the stone.

This advice is based solely on the fact that your hesitant to sharpen, maybe not super experienced, and also worried about damaging your blade. This method will not do significant damage of any kind even if you fail to sharpen it. This is the method that I use to "touch up" already sharp blades.

Doughnut · Mar 30, 2012

czechinthepipes said:
Well I have noticed that although it is still quite sharp, it definitely has lost its factory edge; plus I just recently noticed 3 tiny chips on the edge.

I say sharpen it. I don't really know how much you've used it, but the part I highlighted would be the important part for me. You don't want to be cutting something and have a chip catch and cause you to tear instead of cut.

Don't worry about messing it up, worse case will be that you have to spend a couple dollars on shipping plus $5 for the complimentary Spyderco sharpening.

benny90 · Mar 30, 2012

Well I feel pretty crazy then. Seeing as you have used yours for 6+ months without sharpening and I just got mine and want to sharpen it. Not that it needs to be in any way, it's just sharpening blades is very addicting!

Definitely give it a sharpen, it's fun

MJF · Mar 30, 2012

Of course sharpen it. If you have a way you like your angles to be, do it that way. Start with course stones, as you're going to have to reprofile slightly if your bevel isn't around 30/40 and move up to as fine as you've got with small grit changes between them. Enjoy your now sharp again para.

Talley1013 · Mar 31, 2012

I can't go 6 days without sharpening my EDC!! It sounds like the knife needs to be sharpened to me. Take it slow and you should be fine. Plus, you'll feel a closer connection to the knife after you have put your own edge on it. I don't really feel like a knife is mine until I have put my own edge on it.

harleyguy02 · Mar 31, 2012

185 days ???

Seriously ??

I gotta get me some of that steel

Jason B. · Mar 31, 2012

You should probably work to maintain your edge instead of waiting for it to dull.

By most standards you have a considerably dull knife with a damaged edge.

The factory grind is 120 grit and with the wear and damage you will need at least a 300+/- grit stone to start. Diamond would be a good choice for this work.

rtm416 · Apr 2, 2012

If you strop it at the end of every day or couple days you wont need to sharpen for a LONG time.

benny90 · Apr 2, 2012

I just did a little sharpening on my PM2. Just a few strokes on the Sharpmaker and WOW, hair popping sharp! I really like how sharp S30V can get, and it keeps that edge a lot better than most, great stuff.

tomsch · Apr 5, 2012

I touch up my EDCs at least once a week back to shaving sharp. 20degrees per side works great on most Spydercos

czechinthepipes · Apr 12, 2012

Wow, I can't believe it took me this long to get back here to respond. Thank you everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it.

I sharpened it about a week ago and it turned out alright. I didn't take off enough so it is like I have a micro bevel (still getting used to the lansky system). Anyway, I followed all the great advice, the important thing is that it is as sharp as it was when I bought it if not sharper.

rg02 said:
What sharpening setup do you have ? I sharpen my spydies using 30 deg inclusive on the back bevel and 40 deg inclusive on the micro bevel on the sharpmaker. I finish up with my strop after that. that works great on my PM2

I use a lansky guide rod kit; it isn't the best but it usually gets the job done. I have wanted to learn how to put a micro bevel on.

videl said:
30/40 is good, or 30inc

I will have to try this thanks.

Szilard said:
Sharpen it. Sharper is actually safer for you. Take your time. Use finer stones rather than coarse stones. You may have to invest a lot of time and a lot of strokes. Don't use a lot of pressure. Use light pressure if any pressure and don't fully pull the tip off the stone.

This advice is based solely on the fact that your hesitant to sharpen, maybe not super experienced, and also worried about damaging your blade. This method will not do significant damage of any kind even if you fail to sharpen it. This is the method that I use to "touch up" already sharp blades.

I have heard that before and is what I do with most of my knives. I did that as well and it worked well. I was a bit hesitant just due to cost and lack of confidence especially.

Doughnut said:
I say sharpen it. I don't really know how much you've used it, but the part I highlighted would be the important part for me. You don't want to be cutting something and have a chip catch and cause you to tear instead of cut.

Don't worry about messing it up, worse case will be that you have to spend a couple dollars on shipping plus $5 for the complimentary Spyderco sharpening.

Thanks for the advice, it makes sense.

MJF said:
Of course sharpen it. If you have a way you like your angles to be, do it that way. Start with course stones, as you're going to have to reprofile slightly if your bevel isn't around 30/40 and move up to as fine as you've got with small grit changes between them. Enjoy your now sharp again para.

Thank you for the advice.

Talley1013 said:
I can't go 6 days without sharpening my EDC!! It sounds like the knife needs to be sharpened to me. Take it slow and you should be fine. Plus, you'll feel a closer connection to the knife after you have put your own edge on it. I don't really feel like a knife is mine until I have put my own edge on it.

Thanks for the advice, I agree it makes the bond with a knife is complete after you sharpen it.

knifenut1013 said:
You should probably work to maintain your edge instead of waiting for it to dull.

By most standards you have a considerably dull knife with a damaged edge.

The factory grind is 120 grit and with the wear and damage you will need at least a 300+/- grit stone to start. Diamond would be a good choice for this work.

You are right, thanks for the advice; I was just nervous is all.

rtm416 said:
If you strop it at the end of every day or couple days you wont need to sharpen for a LONG time.

This is what I usually do, thanks.