Question on how YOU use the DMT aligner

[usfpaul82]

Have a question regarding the DMT aligner. I have had it for a few weeks and love it. I am getting some very sharp edges but was wondering....when you have a blade with a big curve on the spine such as the spyderco sage, do you keep the aligner stright when clamped down (picture 1) or do you angle it with the blade (picture 2). thanks!

Picture 1

Picture 2

 

[xtremepado]

I got my aligner yesterday and have run into the same problem with my Delica! I get better results when I clamp it straight. I've found that I can get a really snug fit by pushing a folded up piece of index card into the gap on the clamp.
http://imgur.com/MYS0I

 

[Heiheit]

It depends on the knife. Sometimes if I don't like how the edge looks in after the method in the first picture, i'll switch to the one in the second.

You just need to be careful to maintain that consistent bevel.

 

[THG]

I would get the edge notch of the clamp into one of the jimping grooves. You need to place the clamp in exactly the same position every time (and use the same tightness) to keep the same bevel angle.

 

[Heiheit]

I would get the edge notch of the clamp into one of the jimping grooves. You need to place the clamp in exactly the same position every time (and use the same tightness) to keep the same bevel angle.

Which is one of the reasons I recently bought an edge pro.

 

[Jason B.]

Do as in pic 1 not 2, you also want the clamp at about 50% of the blade.

Put a piece of masking tape on the spine before you put the clamp on, it helps to hold it in place better.

 

[wwells20]

Do as in pic 1 not 2, you also want the clamp at about 50% of the blade.

Put a piece of masking tape on the spine before you put the clamp on, it helps to hold it in place better.

Same here, I clamp as in pic 1. The DMT clamp works very well at clamping many different styles of blade profiles. The one that I have the most trouble with is the full hollow grind (think Buck TNT, Case Sodbuster, etc.) On my Sodbuster, I clamp about 1/8" on the flat and the balance on the rest of the blade. This keeps the clamp sturdy and I just take what I get for an edge angle.

Good tip on the tape under clamp Knifenut! I'll be sure to try that:thumbup:.

 

[brianNH]

Which is one of the reasons I recently bought an edge pro.

Since you mentioned the edge pro. How do you calculate and maintain the proper angle when using knives of various grinds and thickness? The angle adjustment numbers would be accurate if you used a thin flat piece of stock but suppose you use a 1/4 thick blade with a full flat grind? When you lay it on the edge pro- the angle changes dramatically?

My DMT doesn't have this issue because when the blade is clamped, regardless of thickness, the edge is always centered keeping consistent with the chosen angle.

 

[singularity35]

I realized that the notches on the DMT aligner don't actually measure as indicated in different blades. I just quit worrying about angles and just get my knives sharp.

 

[UpChUcK]

I attach the DMT clamp flush to the spine. But if it is curved or slopes aggressively towards the tip, I slide the clamp closer to the handle to compensate for the forward tilt. As long as the guides are in the same relative position, it shouldn't matter if it is lined up with the edge or with the spine.