Sharpening S30V RSK Mk1 blade

M

MarkT

Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
16
Hi Everyone,

I just purchased a Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 with the S30V smooth blade. I love it and want to keep it in good condition. However, I'm a total novice when it comes to knife maintenance.

What is the best way to keep the S30V blade sharp? I have a Chef's Choice diamond sharpener that I use in the kitchen. Would that work ok or should I be using some other tool to keep my new blade at its best?

Cheers,

MarkT
 
Don't use your current sharpener - it'll give a very obtuse angle that won't let the steel perform like it should.
 
The Edge Pro might be a bit out of my price range. I was considering the Lansky system. Would the Lansky be better than my existing sharpener?
 
In short, yes. Leave your electric sharpener for the kitchen knives, it would damage the effective cutting edge on the RSK. On sharpening: with practice the Lansky or Spyderco Sharpmaker are good systems and a lot less $$ than the Edge-Pro with good results...one warning though, for the learning curve I would practice with a cheapo knife before attacking the RSK with it!
 
Looking closely at the Gatco/Lansky sharpeners, the honing stones seem to be flat.

How do you sharpen a blade that has a concave shape to it with those flat stones? Will the corners of the stone grind grooves into the concave blade?

Cheers,

MarkT
 
I've come to the opinion that diamond sharpeners are preferred for metals like S30V. As such, look to DMT and such for sharpeners.

As a stop-gap sharpener, 400 and higher grit 3M metal sanding paper (crocus clothe)placed on a flat surface can be used.

I'd also recommend learning free hand sharpening (practice on a cheap knife).

Use the google search of the forum (sharpening site:http://www.bladeforums.com) to find various discussions on sharpening and also look at various tutorials on the web.

Nice knife, BTW. I keep a full-size in my bag and carry a mini at work.
 
I think I've narrowed my choice down to a Gatco system. However, what is the best hone to use on the S30V blade, regular or diamond? What's the easiest to use?

As well, the RSK website states that the blade grind is "High Flat grind with 30º inclusive edge, 6.9º bevel". What does that mean? What angle should the sharpening system be set?

Cheers,

MarkT
 
The RSK blade has an edge bevel that is 15 degrees per side (or close to it). That's the "30 degree inclusive" they mention. The 6.9 degree bevel must refer to a microbevel, but my RSKs get sharpened at 30 degrees inclusive with no microbevel added and they all work just fine.

I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker. They run about $45-55, they come with an instructional DVD, and they are preset for either 30 degrees inclusive or 40 degrees inclusive. That's all I've ever used to maintain my RSKs.
 
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I ended up ordering a DMT Diafold Magna-Guide system. It seems to be the best blend of what I was looking for in a sharpening system. The nice thing will be that I can learn to hand sharpen on the Diafold hone later if I'm feeling adventurous.

Cheers,

MarkT
 
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