Sharpening is hard

[THG]

The "ramps" are called bevels. The shape you describe "()" is known as a covex bevel (2 covex curves). Your bevels are not flat like a "V" because you are not holding the blade at a constant angle to the stone as you sharpen. It takes practice, practice, practice to achieve a flat bevel sharpening freehand. Convex bevels are preferred by some. Sharp is what counts.

I guess it's alright for my Gerber, then. Thanks.

Working one side until you feel a burr begin to form on the other side will give you a flat bevel that has reached from the main grind to the edge. Then turn the blade over and do the same on the other side. Once you have flat bevels on both sides, alternate sides being very careful to get your angle consistent and using very light strokes. The goal here is to grind the burr away rather than bending it back and forth until it breaks off. Once the burr is gone, you have two flat bevels meeting in a clean line, which should be a sharp edge. As others have said, that edge may not feel as sharp to your fingers as what you get from the coarse steel because it will be a lot smoother than the edge the steel produces, but it should shave arm hair easily if you've done it right.

Well, it was my Gerber Paraframe II that I was testing this out with. I decided to practice on this before doing a "final run" on my Delica. I've done well with my S&Ws, but those were Tantos, and their edges are flat (as in no curves like a drop point). I practiced with my Gerber because it is a drop point.

How do you recommend doing drop points? I've noticed that since my Gerber is 1/2 serrated, the edge close to the serration isn't getting sharpened very much (I used a marker).

I think I've done well with my Delica, though. I can shave with it now, although the bevels seem a LITTLE round.

Thanks for your help, guys; I appreciate it.