RAT asymmetric grind?

I

Instant

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Sep 21, 2008
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I always notice, that the right edge of a new RAT knife (Izula and RC3 tested so far) doesn't seem to be completely parallel to the rod when using a Spyderco sharpmaker. The left one however is, and I'm pretty sure I'm paying close attention to holding the blade vertically. Is this some imprecision with the sharpmaker, my lack of skill, or is the grinding on the Rats a little off-center?

Greets
 
I have not noticed the grinds on my RATs to be off center,but I freehand sharpen all my knives,except kitchen knives.
 
being slightly off ground is common .... even maintaining and edge they will be off center... on a stone i will never notice , but my sharps maker i notice that frankly you have to work to make sure its not you messing it up.... i found just due to my bio metrics that if i change hands it feels like the opposite problem is there... some times you miss a little perfect parrell to get it sharp... you will notice after a long while how much you play into the sharpening system.... i wouldnt really mind honestly unless its causing problems with getting a sharp blade... as long as its sharp and it cuts and holds , it isnt an issue in my book.
 
I found the same thing on my Rc5, the right side of the blade is at a more acute angle, not much ,but noticable , but the problem has gone with the application of some elbow grease
 
I find using my sharpmaker, when I hit the left stone, the bottom right side pulls up ever so slightly. Try screwing that bad boy into a workbench.
 
I've noticed the same on my RC4 and Izula (and most other knives I own also) when sharpening in the lansky for the first time. Once you have your own angle set it's super easy to maintain.

I think the RAT knives are given the final sharpen by hand, there's alway's going to be some slight deviation.
 
Very seldom do you find that kind of "hands on" sharpening and care with other companies. Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone that does that. There might be a couple out there but most of them would probably be custom knife makers.
 
I hate these angled rod sharpeners for THAT reason... they are useless unless you are using a perfect V grind-and in the outdoor/survival world, who is going to put a perfect 20 degree edge on a knife?
 
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R.A.T. said:
You nailed it, sir!
Click to expand...

+2 on that

My knives are no different. You will worry yourself sick trying to get it dead nuts. Wont have any knife left to use if you dont just stop and use it :D:thumbup:
 
I wonder if left-handers will find, after repeated sharpening, the opposite bias in the angle.
 
Its funny how my izula had a perfect edge out of the box but my friends had a burr where it started to curve :D I like the fact that RAT does hand sharpening though because it ensures that each blade is actually handled by a person before it gets shipped out. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I was just wondering, nice to know that they are sharpened by a person before going out, that's exactly the kind of treatment I like. It's nothing to lose sleep over at night anyway, so I'll just keep on going with the sharpmaker or put a convex edge on it manually. Again, thank you all for the info. Cheers.
 
PastorMarko said:
Very seldom do you find that kind of "hands on" sharpening and care with other companies. Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone that does that. There might be a couple out there but most of them would probably be custom knife makers.
Click to expand...

Ever hear of Case knives? The person who sharpens is sitting at a wheel grinder sharpening knives. That's "hands on", correct?
 
The hand sharpening process is really more common in companies than you would think. It is simply because it is still the most cost effective way to get a final edge on a knife before it leaves the factory. Here is the catch though. It takes skill to do it (obviously). But a good sharpener can only work so long before they fatigue at it and the edges go to shit. You have to have more than one person than can do it and let them alternate with another job in the plant to break the fatigue. And even the best sharpeners have some slight variation in edge symmetry. We have seen the Queen plant and like Case they have a few people sitting there at fine grinders putting a final edge on these tiny little slip joint knives. Blows me away. I tried to ask one gal a question who was sharpening. She sort of looked up at me sideways with a 'go away' look in her eyes and went back to work. I left her alone.:)
 
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