RAT 3 sharpening angle

P

PB Wilson

Joined
Jul 17, 2006
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I bought a couple Ontario RAT 3 knives in D2 steel and need to get the edges cleaned up from the original factory grind. I own a Lansky sharpener with the 17, 20, 25 and 30 degree slots.

For an all-around user knife that probably won't be seeing prying, digging or other extreme use (except in an emergency), what angle would you recommend on the Lansky? I've never had a D2 blade and wasn't sure if it would hold a more acute angle than my Benchmades in ATS-34 and 154CM.

For the record, I'll be using the knife mostly on hiking/camping trips so I'll be using it for cutting/whittling wood and some food prep. At home it'll see cardboard, plastic strapping and other miscellaneous cutting chores.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
With those choices I would set the main edge bevel at 17 and sharpen at 20. Periodically recut the edge at 17 when the edge bevel at 20 widens to the point you feel the cutting ability decrease.

-Cliff
 
Pretty much always. The forces that are exerted on a knife tend to be reduced as you move backward from the edge and thus the very edge needs to be more obtuse, or looked at it another way, the bulk of the edge can be much more acute than the very edge.

-Cliff
 
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