Sharpening After Heat Treat

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groundpounder51

Joined
Oct 24, 2013
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New member here! I looked for a new members are so I could introduce myself, but without success. Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

Anyway,
I'm pretty new to knifemaking (6 months) and was hoping for some input on how you guys sharpen your blades once back from heat treat. I mostly use 1084 and file down my primary bevel to 1/32" prior to heat treat. Then I've been using the Lansky system to begin my final edge at 25 degrees. This takes forever! I'm thinking about purchasing the Tormek T-3 to grind my edges quickly. Any experience with this system or any better ideas? Tell me what you guys do! Thanks everyone!
 
You could get a Craftsman 2x42 for less than half of the price of the Tormek. For a little bit more than the Tormek you could get a 2x72 grinder. Or you could get a DMT diamond plate sharpener for roughing in the edge, and water stones for sharpening.

BTW Welcome to the forums!:D
 
I actually have a 2x42, but prefer to make my knives by filing my bevels by hand. The 2x42 is just too fast for my liking.
 
After HT you still have to sand down the bevels to remove the decarb and get the surface smooth. Start at 220 grit Wet-or-Dry sandpaper and sand to at least 400 grit. Use water with a few drops of dish soap to keep it wet. You will take off about .010" each side. This should leave the edge around .010" when the bevels are smooth and flat. After that is done, and the knife is assembled, is when you sharpen. While the Lansky is a nice system, a set of DMT plates and some hand sharpening will be much faster and easier. I personally don't like the Tormek for sharpening knives.
 
Work Sharp has a new variable speed "Ken Onion" belt sharpener. Also, paper wheels get good reviews.

You can also use spray adhesive to put a section of 2" belt on a piece of flat steel. I used that method with some wd-40 and it worked quite well.

Info and extensive reviews on the paper wheels and WS can be found in the Maintenance forum.

Welcome to BF! :)
 
Thank you all for your responses! I think I might pick up one of those Ken Onions! Hope to hear more responses as well though! Thanks again!
 
Does anyone have experience with the Ken Onion and sharpening their custom knives (from no edge at all after heat treat)? Is the Ken Onion powerful enough to grind down and sharpen a profiled-only blade?
 
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groundpounder51 said:
Does anyone have experience with the Ken Onion and sharpening their custom knives (from no edge at all after heat treat)? Is the Ken Onion powerful enough to grind down and sharpen a profiled-only blade?
Click to expand...

I used my 1x30 to put the edge on a knife in d2. It was no problem. The WS will easily be able to do the work. Did you read the reviews in the maintenance forum?

This is how it came out of HT

IMAG1500_zps53d01574.jpg


After

IMAG1587_zps67d36610.jpg


Not very good pics but it's pretty easy to do. ;)

Btw, aside from the suggested DMTs I followed Stacy's advice, the same advice he posted in this thread.
 
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