sebenza 21 , sharpening enigma.. help!!

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panzeron

Joined
Jun 14, 2015
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Ok this is my first chris reeve knife . My sharpening tools are a edge pro and a sharpmaker. .. ok here's my dilemma. .. I can get a sweet even mirror polished edge on the knife . But the last 1/4 -1/8 in. Of the blade toward the tip . Will never get as sharp as the rest of the blade . No matter what I do . It is semi sharp but not super sharp as the rest of the blade .. I have several knives and this is the only knife I have this problem with . I'm a novice knife sharpener . And any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Is this common or intrinsic to this model ?. Or am I just fucking up?
 
The angle of the edge bevel often changes towards the tip, it's natural for people to tent to "twist' the knife as you go round the curve and this can throw you off too. You can try sharpening the tip first and then blend the rest of the bevel into that, it may be easier for you that way. :)
 
I'll start by saying that I am no expert. I do have great success with the Sharpmaker and a strop though. I have also been through what you describe. When I hear someone say that they can't get their knife sharp, I immediately think 'they are not getting the very edge of the secondary bevel'.

I am not too familiar with the Edge Pro, but use the Sharpmaker regularly. I would suggest taking a couple of VERY slow passes like you normally would. This time though, look directly down, or parallel to the rod. You may see that you have the entire edge contacting the rod until you get to the tip of the blade. You may only be getting the corner of the rod with the tip. With the SM, when you get to the tip, you need to angle the handle away from the rod slightly to get the tip flat on the rod like you would the rest of the blade. If this doesn't work, I would say to either increase the angle you are sharpening when you get towards the tip, or maybe reprofile (dangerous) the tip a bit to get the angle consistent.

One thing to remember is that CRK sharpens by hand and there can be minor variations in the angle of the bevel.

I can't stress enough to get the very edge of the bevel. While I do not focus on drawing a burr, I believe that this is why drawing a burr is stressed. It is a surefire way to ensure that you have made it to the very edge.

I sharpen at 20 degrees on the SM and I find that it provides a super sharp edge that holds. It also does not mess with the CRK convex edge as I only get the very edge of the bevel.


Once you get it figured out, it really only takes just a few swipes every so often to keep the edge sharp. I can get mine shaving again in just a minute or two.
 
Thanx y'all .. I have been paying more attention to the tip . Like I said the rest of the blade is hair splitting sharp .. but the damn tip just gets sharper than dull . I'm afraid to try changing the angle on the tip . Because I'm afraid of it turning out like other knives I've seen where the bevel is more pronounced at the tip .. that looks like shit ..
 
Yes it does look like crap. Screwing up on a $400 knife would suck. Maybe try a micro-bevel. That would leave your mirror edge alone and allow you to focus on just the very edge.
 
In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't hinder the performance of the knife .. it's still sharp as hell . The tip pretty much does what I ask of it .. but it just bugs the hell out of me .. and I haven't been carrying it because of that ..
 
To the naked eye it looks like a sweet edge all the way down ... damn this knife is the best slicer I have come across .. even better that the full flat ground spyderco knives .. but like a lot of us anal knife guys .. the littlest detail can fuck with out heads .. lol .. is cussing forbidden on the forum .. I use colorful language and have a few beers in me ... the things y'all are suggesting to me I've tried .. that's why I made this post I'm to the point of frustration. ..
 
I probably only know enough to be dangerous, but my money still says that you haven't actually made it to the very edge at the tip. It can seem like it takes forever to get there once you get close.

Edit to add: Yeah, there is a section where anything goes, but you could get an infraction in this forum using certain words.
 
The geometry of the blade changes towards the tip, this is almost always the case with a hollow grind. I agree that a higher bevel at the tip looks less than good, but you need to address the change in geometry in some way. :)
 
Haze ... true that .. I guess I'll have to address that with the Mico bevel .. So as to not make it look like shit ... I'll eventually figure it out ...
 
But then the question that pops in my mind is ... do I take that more pronounced micro bevel down the length of the blade or just the tip? If I just do the tip how do I make it blend with the rest of the edge ? Already this sebenza is making me think to much .. the lack of a sufficient flat had me getting an angle finger and doing math formulas and shit ... oh lord ... but it's it's fun
 
One of the problems is I paid $485.00 for this knife .. so I'm not so inclined to be as adventurous with trial and error .. as I would be with a $50.00 knife ..
 
So long as you don't ruin the handles, a replacement blade is something like $135. Much less expensive if you really screw up the blade.

That said, if it's a user you plan on having for years, you'll end up sharpening it many times over, and trying out different edge angles anyway. It's just nerve-wracking the first time.
 
Thank you , dangerously. .. that really helps ease my nerves .. I knew a replacement blade was an option . But I thought it would be a bit more pricey . Yes this is a user . And I'm just gonna have to get to know it and how to work it .. it's frustrating but fun at the same time ..
 
Update. .. I got that sum bitch ... didn't do anything any different . Just took a deep breath and said this isn't rocket science. This knife isn't gonna beat me. Had to muster up some patients, and patience is not my forte. . Just went the fuck off on that tip. With the edge pro 15° per side 220, 400, 1000 grit ... then micro bevel at 19° per side. Then hit the sharpmaker a few strokes at 15° , for good measure . Then hit it at 20° per side ... the edge was still a little sketchy . Would catch slightly when cutting recept paper . So back to the sharpmaker for another round of 20° per side . Then to the turn box circular rods at 25° very lightly. To remove any micro burr .. then a few stroke on a piece of leather I cut from an old boot . I wouldn't exactly call it a strop lmao ... with some dremel metal polish ... result .... this mother is F N sharp ... and the tip is sharp yeah!!!... downside the bevel is just slightly more pronounced the last 1/2" or so .. oh well it won't win no beauty contests .. but it cuts and that's what counts .. it us a user .. I can't afford a $485.00 knife .. but I damn sure can't afford a $485.00 knife , just to look pretty and not be used ... thanx y'all for your comments and tips , no pun intended. ..
 
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