Sharpening ? Factory vs Sharpmaker

C

Colorado Fatboy

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
87
I've been using the Sharpmaker to sharpen my knives and have had good results, I can get the "hair shaving edge" without too much effort.

My question is how do you get an edge like the factory puts on? For example I was just looking at my new Spyderco Native and noticed the edge was what I will call "ground" more of a "rough" looking edge. However this edge will shave hair as well as my Sharpmaker edges. Yet my Sharpmaker edges are more of the "polished" variety.

I was allways under the impression that a rougher or ground edge is better for regular cutting but doesn't shave well or work as good for push cuts. I tried just using the med. stones and got an edge that will cut just about anything with ease yet it won't shave. So what do they do at the factory that the edges look like they're done with a rougher stone yet they are shaving sharp?

Thanks in advance!
 
Don't know how the factory does it. I would use a coarser stone to set the first bevel, and then increase the angle and use a fine stone for the final edge.
 
I've noticed the same thing since getting my Sharpmaker. That factory edge is the sh'ite!! It would be great to be able reproduce that same edge with the kit.
 
I asked the same question on the Spyderco forum. I was told that the way Spydies are sharpened at the factory is a closely guarded trade secret and any question concerning the how is ignored....which I can totally understand, there are few knives that come as sharp from the factory as Spydies do.
 
I sharpen my general use knives with 220 grit sandpaper and then finish them on a strop. This gives them enough toothiness to slice well but they will still shave hair too.
 
Hawaiian said:
Don't know how the factory does it. I would use a coarser stone to set the first bevel, and then increase the angle and use a fine stone for the final edge.
Click to expand...

I will give that a try and see what happends.

A strop is on my list of things to get.

If you send the knife to Spyderco to be sharpened does it come back with the original type edge?
 
An edge finished on the medium stones should still shave well, if it doesn't you are seenig a burr. Try using the flats and less force.

Most factories use various belts and then hit it with a buffer. This gives a semi-rough / polished edge.

If you use the belts well you don't need the buffer. I have left edges with the finish from an 100 grit AO belt which is hell for rough and it still shaves.

-Cliff
 
I just ordered a Sharpmaker 204MF and noted that it can be set for a 30 or 40 degree edge. How do you know what angle to use? What about other angles or do you end up creating a new angle when sharpening your own blades?

I'd like to know what the factory angle is on the Benchmade 9100SBT auto. Since I've only had it four days, I don't expect it to require sharpening for awhile but want to do it right when the time comes. I'd also like to know the correct sharpening angle to use on a SpyderCard and Cold Steel Grande Vaquero.

I imagine that most do their learning on blades of lesser value so the ones that really count are done after successful experience.
 
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