Sharpening ESEE-6 (or other) with DMT Aligner...??

[beestokk]

Hey all - I've read most ppl on here seem to really like using the Sharpmaker to sharpen their ESEE blades. However, I recently bought a DMT aligner over Sharpmaker so I could sharpen up some old, quite dull knives, and rebevel/reprofile if necessary, both of which I've read are difficult with the Sharpmaker. Long story short, that's all I've got right now, and don't have room in the budget for a Sharpmaker right now...sooooo...anyone out there using a DMT aligner to sharpen their ESEE-6 or other ESEE blades? If so, what settings are you using? On my ESEE-6 I've used the 6th notch on the guide rods (2nd one down from the open handle end) as it appears to be most inline with the factory edge. It's done a fair job, definitely sharp enough for use, but I'm looking to maintain a shaving sharp edge. Any input greatly appreciated!

 

[Mighty1]

Can't speak on the ESEE brand as I just got the OD/Orange g-10 and it's hair poppin sharp from the factory, I have yet to beat it up enough to warrant a good once over with my DMT.

I have used the DMT to keep my Beckers sharp (BeckerHead) while still hair shaving sharp I have had to make much more passes (less pressure) to do so.

I recently ordered the SharpMaker to see the difference so I will report backhand let you know. Many suggest it here so I'm giving it a go.

Until your budget/needs change I would say, more passes, less pressure and you should have a good shaving edge.

 

[beestokk]

Thanks Mighty - did you just go with the setting on the guide rods that was most similar to the factory edge, or were you reprofiling to your own specs?

Any others with input?

 

[Mighty1]

did you just go with the setting on the guide rods that was most similar to the factory edge, or were you reprofiling to your own specs?

My pleasure.

First I went with the guide that was most familiar. I found that on some of the blades the angle was off some according to the guide(My BK2, only factory sharpened) had two totally different angles and just had to go with my own specs. Basically finding one side that fit the guides most comfortably then reprofile the other side to match. Took time but worked out in the end.

 

[tarditi]

The DMT guide does a decent job, but it's too small to set up the guide on the RC5.

I just freehand the 5, and it stays sharp enough.
My Izzy and HEST stay hair-popping sharp, though... I clean them up on a stone, but do any real work with the DMT.

 

[beestokk]

My Izzy and HEST stay hair-popping sharp, though... I clean them up on a stone, but do any real work with the DMT.

Thanks Tarditi - you mind me asking what setting you have the guides set at for your izzy and hest? The notch at the tip end of the guide being 1 and the notch closest to the open handle end being 7, per the instructions.

As I said I just did my ESEE-6 using the 6th notch (2nd from open handle end) and it sharpened it but maybe reprofiled it a bit too. That setting seemed closest to the the 20 degree grind (per side) I've read the ESEEs come shipped with. I probably jumped the gun sharpening it anyways as it was still quite sharp but i had a few very small nicks on the edge toward the tip after some batoning (think I caught a rock, or perhaps it was a wire edge, not sure) which were removed very easily and are nonexistent now.

 

[tarditi]

Thanks Tarditi - you mind me asking what setting you have the guides set at for your izzy and hest? The notch at the tip end of the guide being 1 and the notch closest to the open handle end being 7, per the instructions.

As I said I just did my ESEE-6 using the 6th notch (2nd from open handle end) and it sharpened it but maybe reprofiled it a bit too. That setting seemed closest to the the 20 degree grind (per side) I've read the ESEEs come shipped with. I probably jumped the gun sharpening it anyways as it was still quite sharp but i had a few very small nicks on the edge toward the tip after some batoning (think I caught a rock, or perhaps it was a wire edge, not sure) which were removed very easily and are nonexistent now.

I used the table in the instructions to determine the slot - I used #6, but think I reprofiled it a little - it was just a touchup after using it by hand for a while.

I'm not a die-hard DMT magna-guide convert, mind you - it's just a tool to help, but prefer the tactile feel of working the blade over a stone, personally.

I was mostly concerned with my 5, and the guide is just not the right tool for that - I've been able to keep my HEST and Izula quite sharp without too much use of the DMT, really.

 

[landserpunk]

I have the DMT aligner, and use it quite regularly for my ESEE and Becker BK2. However, I found that by using a REALLY old ceramic sharpener much like the Sharpmaker, tends to make the blades on both MUCH sharper. Well from hair shaving to hair splitting anyways. It seems to me that there is a little to much play in the way the DMT forces the alignment.

 

[beestokk]

thanks for all the input folks...the #6 setting on the guide seems most appropriate to me too, as it's ~ 20 degrees. now when the budget allows the question is do i go pick up a sharpmaker or an izula II (leaning that way over the original izula)!!

 

[jcwagers]

If you're interested in the Sharpmaker, I ordered one tonight on Amazon for 45.95 plus tax and shipping. It's gonna be part of my Dad's Christmas. That's the cheapest that I've seen it since I've been looking at the Sharpmaker. Good luck!