Proper D2 Angle?

John_0917 · Jan 12, 2015

I have had my D2/BK1 Griptillian for about 2 months now and finally will be getting around to sharpening it in a few days once my diamond and ultra fine rods for the sharpmaker arrive, so this begs the question...30 or 40 degrees inclusive? I want ot get it as sharp as possible but don't want to push it too far since I understand that D2 can get brittle given the high hardness and not the most uniform structure (I know it's no M390) but I also want to get the most out of it maximizing the edge retention and also the cutting ability. I don't use the knife for anything crazy, I got the D2 mainly because a)I wanted a Grip and b) I wanted a D2 knife, I just want to get the best out of my knife.

On an amusing note, I was at a large outdoor store (rhymes with Lass Grow Hops) yesterday and stopped by the knife counter to see the Buck Marksman (not a fan, horrible lock ergos), the counter guy tried to convince me to let him sharpen my grip on his filthy grinder after telling me that Benchmade doesn't make autos since "Obama made them illegal", I firmly declined...:apthy:

jkarp_53 · Jan 12, 2015

...since Obama made them illegal?? Don't think so. On the angle, I would choose 20/20.

John_0917 · Jan 13, 2015

Yea I know right? Obama actually signed the amendment to the FSA that excluded assisted openers specifically.

I'm going to go with 20 per side on the sharpmaker, I got the diamond rods the other day so I think it won't bee too much of an ordeal to sharpen D2...I hope.

Twindog · Jan 13, 2015

Geometry cuts. An edge angle of 30 degrees inclusive will cut better than a 40 degree angle, and your D2 should be able to handle the more acute angle. If not, you can use the Sharpmaker as intended, using the 30-degree setting as the back bevel and the 40-degree setting as the micro beveled edge.

RevDevil · Jan 13, 2015

jkarp_53 said:
...since Obama made them illegal?? Don't think so. On the angle, I would choose 20/20.

I find that 40 inclusive works really well for knives with a bladestock of 4mm of less. I have one knife that has a 2mm blade stock, actually , and it does amazing at 50 inclusive.

loonybin · Jan 13, 2015

John_0917 said:
Yea I know right? Obama actually signed the amendment to the FSA that excluded assisted openers specifically.

I'm going to go with 20 per side on the sharpmaker, I got the diamond rods the other day so I think it won't bee too much of an ordeal to sharpen D2...I hope.

Just pray the angle is already 20/20 so you don't have to reprofile that blade. The Sharpmaker is not the best tool for that, even with the diamond rods. It took forever for me to reprofile s30v on the diamond rods, and D2 will take longer than s30v.

707sequel · Jan 14, 2015

Ya, If you're going to go 15 per side you're going to be at the sharpmaker for a while. They arent that thin behind the edge even with a hollow grind. It will be great at 20. Thats where I have my D2 grips. You'll just be shortening the life of the blade going 15 per side. No need.

John_0917 · Jan 14, 2015

707sequel said:
Ya, If you're going to go 15 per side you're going to be at the sharpmaker for a while. They arent that thin behind the edge even with a hollow grind. It will be great at 20. Thats where I have my D2 grips. You'll just be shortening the life of the blade going 15 per side. No need.

I think I'll stick with 20!

Twindog · Jan 14, 2015

707sequel said:
Ya, If you're going to go 15 per side you're going to be at the sharpmaker for a while. They arent that thin behind the edge even with a hollow grind. It will be great at 20. Thats where I have my D2 grips. You'll just be shortening the life of the blade going 15 per side. No need.

Yes, the Sharpmaker, even with diamond rods, takes a lot of time to reprofile. And my sense is that most people on this forum go with 40 degrees inclusive when creating a new edge.

But it's not true that a 30 degree inclusive edge will shorten the life of the blade, as long as the steel can handle that edge without suffering undue damage. More acute edges cut better, stay sharper longer and reduce blade wear. Take a l look at Ankerson's thread if you want proof.

There is nothing wrong with a 40-degree edge, but a 30-degree edge will cut better. And if you go with a 30-degree edge and a 40-degree micro bevel, the knife will perform better than a pure 40-degree edge and be a lot easier to resharpen.

loonybin · Jan 14, 2015

Twindog said:
Yes, the Sharpmaker, even with diamond rods, takes a lot of time to reprofile. And my sense is that most people on this forum go with 40 degrees inclusive when creating a new edge.

But it's not true that a 30 degree inclusive edge will shorten the life of the blade, as long as the steel can handle that edge without suffering undue damage. More acute edges cut better, stay sharper longer and reduce blade wear. Take a l look at Ankerson's thread if you want proof.

There is nothing wrong with a 40-degree edge, but a 30-degree edge will cut better. And if you go with a 30-degree edge and a 40-degree micro bevel, the knife will perform better than a pure 40-degree edge and be a lot easier to resharpen.

On a Sharpmaker with diamond rods, he might get finished reprofiling it to 30º in time to use it opening bags of chips for the Super Bowl...