proper edge finish

[f0x]

Hey Everyone,

I'm doing some sharpening with a 600 grit Arkansas stone (with water, no oil), and have a few questions about the finished edge on the knife.

I'm dealing with two knives; a Buck Sirus 154cm blade(folder), and a Rat RC-4 1095 steel(fixed).

I've got several questions...

-First; is this stone appropriate for these steels for maintaining/sharpening the edge. The knives are always kept fairly sharp, so I would mostly be touching up the edge.

-Second; I've already sharpened the Sirus on the 600 grit stone, and the edge turned out very well and razor sharp. However, I've noticed that the blade has some "teeth" on it, and some spots that are mirror polished. The teeth and polished areas alternate along the edge of the blade. I cant figure out why this is happening? (I don't mind the polished edge on the folder, but I'd like the rat to have more teeth since I'll be doing heavier work with it)

-Finally; can anyone suggest the type of angle (degrees) I should put on each edge?
The folder is a typical every day use knife, and the rat is for light chopping, batoning/fire making, wood cutting, along that line of outdoor use. I've heard around 30 for the folder, 40 for the rat.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated (I've never sharpened a knife before until now)

 

[winbag338]

You want teeth on a slicer, not on hard use outdoors knife, the exception being a hunting knife. That stone will work for you, however i would convex the rat.

 

[Jason B.]

That stone should do fine but trying out some better stones in more grit variations will take a lot of work out of your day. How clean is your stone? the polished spots may be a burnishing effect if your stone is dirty and clogged. The teeth are on your edge because of the grit you are using, the finer the grit the finer the teeth.

Regardless of what people will tell you a sharper (aka. polished edge) always cuts better as long as you know how to use it. keep working at making the edge sharp and even, get some more stones so you can advance to higher levels of sharpening and don't worry about convex until the time comes.

Welcome to BF