Sharpening angle... Please

T

timfish

Joined
Jun 4, 2022
Messages
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Hey yall,,,,Im getting a new WEN wet wheel sharpener and I know it comes with a knife tool holder thingy,,, how do yall find the right angle?
I have a 2*42 belt sander and I've made a bunch of knives but I need to bring em home a bit with a keener edge,,, please help
 
Define "the right angle".

Are you trying to duplicate your existing bevel, or re-profile for your specific cutting needs?

Typically, a Sharpie marker is your friend. Color the entire secondary bevel, then gently start sharpening. If the marker is removed across the entire bevel, then you are duplicating the existing grind. If you are only touching the very edge, you need to lower the angle. If you are only removing marker up towards the primary grind, raise the sharpening angle.
 
Somewhere in the 15-20 dps range normally. If you are making them you set the factory angle. So that'd be up to you? If you want to measure it with a cube not sure with that system but if it's possible you can probably look and find a video.
 
If freehanding on a wheel just remember that your angle is always measured relative to the tangent to the curve at the contact point. That is to say, imagine you're tilting the blade relative to a flat plane that's square to the radius of the wheel at the given contact position.
 
shane45-1911 said:
Define "the right angle".

Are you trying to duplicate your existing bevel, or re-profile for your specific cutting needs?

Typically, a Sharpie marker is your friend. Color the entire secondary bevel, then gently start sharpening. If the marker is removed across the entire bevel, then you are duplicating the existing grind. If you are only touching the very edge, you need to lower the angle. If you are only removing marker up towards the primary grind, raise the sharpening angle.
Click to expand...
 
I made the knives and had some folks question the edge,,, I feel as if the heat treatment and temp went well but feel the high carbon,,,, (1095 and spring steel) could be a tad sharper,,, I felt as if it coulda been my original edgd
 
The Wen machine is basically a knockoff of the Tormek, so many Tormek resources will apply to the Wen.

The best way to obtain an exact angle on these machines is to make use of calculators that use geometry to determine the edge angle based upon the diameter of the stone, the diameter of the jig, and the distance between the jig's stop and the edge apex (projection distance). You enter those values into the calculator and it will spit out a value that tells you how high the jig support bar has to be to give you the angle you want. The height can either be measured from the support bar to the stone, or it can be from the support bar to the chassis of the machine. I think the former is what you'll have to use, because the latter is dependent on the Tormek's dimensions.

Here's a list of available calculators: https://www.sharpeninghandbook.info/indexCalc.html
 
Ourorboros said:
Is a keen edge about the angle? Or is it about being apexed and burr free?
Click to expand...
this.

you can make any angle keen. sharpness is dependent on the angle and too low of an angle wont hold up to abuse well but too wide an angle and you lose your keen edge faster because your not as ”thin”
 
Oh dear ... U opened a can of worms ..
A lot of factory knives are 22 degrees ..
Other factory knives might be 18 degrees .

I had one factory knife that was insane and maybe 10 degrees .. ( cheap knife )

The best angle is one that the knife will support ( not roll the edge ) . ANd this will depend on the work the knife has to do !
For hard work , twenty something degrees .
For lighter work , maybe 18 degrees ..
Now your hard core knife people , with super steel knives , are pushing 14 degrees or even less .. They are seeking the limit of edge roll ! ( where the edge rolls )

For general sharpening , I have standardised at 22 degrees .. If the edge does not roll , I might tighten it to 20 or 18 degrees . ( that's per side )
It just depends on what the steel can do . Some knives have soft steel and will roll @ 22 degrees .. (?)
You have to start some where .. An easy option is to match the bevel on the knife !
Get out your magic marker , colour the bevel and match the bevel . Or standardise ?
 
Blade Lab said:
The Wen machine is basically a knockoff of the Tormek, so many Tormek resources will apply to the Wen.

The best way to obtain an exact angle on these machines is to make use of calculators that use geometry to determine the edge angle based upon the diameter of the stone, the diameter of the jig, and the distance between the jig's stop and the edge apex (projection distance). You enter those values into the calculator and it will spit out a value that tells you how high the jig support bar has to be to give you the angle you want. The height can either be measured from the support bar to the stone, or it can be from the support bar to the chassis of the machine. I think the former is what you'll have to use, because the latter is dependent on the Tormek's dimensions.

Here's a list of available calculators: https://www.sharpeninghandbook.info/indexCalc.html
Click to expand...
Thanks!!!
 
311climber said:
this.

you can make any angle keen. sharpness is dependent on the angle and too low of an angle wont hold up to abuse well but too wide an angle and you lose your keen edge faster because your not as ”thin”
Click to expand...
Thanks,, I looked at m edge geometry and I was too steep... Yes the my had a keen deburred edge but more like 30 deg not 20 or less (chefs knives)
Thanks
 
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