Sharpening Ka-Bar (am I doing this right?)

[raising_arizona]

I'm a noob when I comes to sharpening. I searched through some posts and saw that people are asking the same question, but I just want to make sure I'm doing this right.

I'm using a Spyderco Sharpmaker (40°) to sharpen my short Ka-Bar straight edge:

My question is: is 40° the right angle to use? It seems to be taking awhile, but this is expected from what I've read.

Second question: is it worth sharpening the swedge to a false edge? I kind of like the idea.

Last question: if I was interested in removing the black coating, what is the best way to do this? (not sure if I'm that interested in doing it.

Thanks!

 

[Roger999]

20degrees is the factory angle I believe, if you have the tools then sharpen the swedge and you think it will suit your purposes then go for it(it's going to take forever to sharpen a swedge on a sharpmaker).

 

[gary jp4]

Just to clarify, I think you guys are saying the same thing when it comes to the angle. When set to its more acute angle he Sharpmaker is about 20 degrees per side which is 40 degrees included.

As far as that being the correct angle why don't you mark the edge with a sharpie and see how your Sharpmaker compares with the existing angle. If it is different it will take a very long time just to do the main edge to say nothing of the swedge. If the angle doesn't match you could hold the knife at an angle other then straight up and down using the 20 degree slots. Or, you could put the sticks in the bottom and sharpen free hand matching the angle of the existing blade.

If the angles don't match and you want to change them, I would try a system other then the Sharpmaker with courser stones.

 

[raising_arizona]

Thanks for the inputs guys. Gary, you're right, I meant 20° per side.

I'll try the marker trick and see how it matches up. If I have to go with a courser stone, which system would you guys recommend? Does Spyderco make a courser one? I didn't see one on their site.

 

[gary jp4]

Since you already have a Sharpmaker. If you want to use the 15 or 20 degree angles on your sharpmaker you could go with their diamond triangle stones.

http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Diamond-SharpMaker-Stones/dp/B000WUKFBM/ref=pd_sim_hi_1

Or from spyderco's own site.

Quote from Sypderco's site:

These are steel triangles blanketed in a bonding agent then covered in diamond particles. Diamond hard abrasives are recommended when you wish to remove stock, for restoration purposes and to aggressively re-shape, re-bevel and re-profile a cutting edge.

Sold in a pair, 204D triangles fit into the 204 Sharpmaker sharpening system. To Clean: rinse in fresh water.

 

[raising_arizona]

Thanks!