Sharpening book?

[Aelius]

I've invested over $300 in DMT stones, strops, and equipment of the like. Now I'd be interested in reading about sharpening, and how to do it effectively. Is there any particular book that's widely recommended here on the forums?

 

[65535]

http://users.ameritech.net/knives/

A lot of good info can be found there, I get excellent results just simply using basic knowledge, set the angle you want to, keep it consistent. A lot of people like to add a microbevel, the edge itself is called the bevel, a micro bevel is a very small slightly steeper grind on the very edge itself, it is supposed to aid in resharpening, easier to resharpen the micro bevel rather than the main bevel. I personally use DMT stones (10" duosharps) and a chromium oxide strop, I've whittled hair.

Any sharpening book will tell you the key to a keen edge is angle maintenance.

 

[Aelius]

Is there any particularly effective way to maintain an angle? I constructed myself a wooden wedge at 15 degrees that I set my stone on. But I still have to maintain an angle precisely parallel to the ground, but our hands are naturally not that precise.

 

[smitty0331]

"The razors edge book of sharpening" By John Jurantich.

 

[65535]

Try making a 75 degree block it's easier to maintain a vertical blade imho, I personally do it by feel, and a human can be that accurate. It's a matter of patience practice.

 

[siguy]

i personally don't focus on the angle at all, in the grand scheme it really isn't that important. my mantra is

raise a burr
polish the edge
remove the burr

i mostly taught myself through trial and error, but a search of youtube videos pulls up some pretty good information.

ray mears has some good info that works well for all grinds, not just scandi:
Mears sharpening 1
Mears sharpening 2