Sharpening a convex on the field?

[FortyTwoBlades]

I like a stronger edge (with the thicker angle on the apex) on chopping tools.

That's okay, but it has nothing to do with the edge being convex or not.

 

[tiguy7]

That's okay, but it has nothing to do with the edge being convex or not.

Do you think that the extra “meat” behind the edge can reduce the possibility of chipping?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Do you think that the extra “meat” behind the edge can reduce the possibility of chipping?

That's just it--there ISN'T "extra meat" behind the edge. For equal edge angle a convex is thinner behind the edge, meaning that a V edge of equal edge angle will actually have more material supporting that edge. The advantage of a convex is not that the edge is thicker, but that when using a thicker angle at the apex to make that edge sufficiently robust, the lessened material behind the edge has less of a negative impact on cutting performance than the V edge at that angle would.

Incidentally, this is partly why Moras and "scandi grinds" tend to get so much love. The zero saber grind is literally the thickest geometry you can put on those blades for their given edge angle and stock thickness, but they do it at a very low angle of 11.5° per side--very nearly HALF what the industry standard angle for factory edges is. Because of the support afforded by the thick style of grind, it gives that low edge angle enough resiliency to hold up well even when being torqued laterally in wood carving tasks.

 

[lonestar1979]

Convex is mostly hype....any freehand sharpening produces some convex...more or less,the key is thickness of stock,behind edge and transitions...you can sharpen it on regular stone or whatewer or cersnics,touch it up etc etc...late at home you can blend it in or whatever.

 

[garry3]

I just lay the knife at a little more of an angle than my intended finished edge on a coarser grit stone and then raise it up to my intended angle usually at a grit progression to approximate a convex edge. I can then touch the knife up a few times before I go back to a coarser stone when it starts getting to thick behind the edge for my liking.

I can't tell the difference between it and a convex edge in use.

 

[kobold]

I would load my leather belt with 6 micron diamond paste (DMT diapaste), it should be enough for at least a dozen touch-ups. I love multi-functional gear in the field.

Nowadays though I just carry a steel with good edge retention that I know should last me a few days and don't worry about sharpening in the field. Eg a 3V fixed blade and a Maxamet folder.

 

[old4570]

For many decades I carried a Ceramic Rod .. I also sharpened my knives with that ceramic rod .
ANother option , Diamond plate ..
Or maybe a Lansky kit ?