Sharpening the sebenza

J

johndseymour

Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
16
Hi everyone, i recently bought a large sebenza 21, and i have a few questions about whether or not my sharpening method is safe to use. The knife had just come back from the spa when i got it, so it still has the factory edge. It isn't in need of sharpening right now, but i want to ask this question now so that i dont do
anything i regret in the future. I have always used the "razor edge making" buffer wheel system on my knives, and it has always made them razor sharp, but after
reading some posts on the forums (that whole situation with spyderbusse) i am a bit worried about whether or not my sharpening system changes the angle of
the edge on a knife. Just to clarify, i never use the gritted buffer wheel when i sharpen, i only use the cardboard one with the slots in it, and I HAVE NEVER
SHARPENED MY SEBENZA. I guess what i'm asking is....what is a convex edge? what should i do not to mess it up? is there a correct way to use my buffing wheel to sharpen my sebenza? what precautionary measures should i go to in order to make sure i dont mess up the angle on my knife? Having said that, I also want to
say that I am pretty new to the Chris Reeve knives, but the sebenza is truly amazing, and it is only logical for CRK to win the quality award every year.
 
First. Congrats on the knife, secondly, changing the angle on a knives edge won't void the warranty. Normal wear and tear, this includes sharpening, is not covered by any company to my knowledge so it is just part of the tools life.

You can use google and search for convex edge, there are numerous videos on it as well as sharpening the sebenza. So-loknifereviews comes to mind now, but there are numerous tips and tricks. The key is getting what works for you.
 
I know little about buffer wheel systems, but sandpaper and a strop is not an uncommon way to keep a convex edge. If you want my guess, I would say it could be done just use the finer wheels and dont let the knife get dull. Maintain instead of repair. But like I said, just a guess.
 
john, i can answer your questions but i hate to type if i can keep from it. send me an email with your number and i'll give you a call. as for the convex edge, you do not use the grit wheel on a convex edge but the slotted wheel is ok to use to maintain the edge. the slotted wheel is how i finish off all the knives i make which have a convex edge or on the chisel ground knives i make, a half convex edge. (btw, i'm the paper wheel sharpening guru on the forum :D) rje196021@gmail.com
 
My large Sebbie has a convex-ground, highly polished edge courtesy of my Kalamazoo belt grinder that works tremendously well. If I'd wanted to keep the existing edge bevels, I would have used the EdgePro and a sharpie to match the edge angle, then kept that angle as I worked the edge up.

It is performing very well for me with the convex edge, though, so I see no reason to change it. :)
 
If you look at the Chris Reeve FAQ on his website it says he recommends a Sharpmaker or Lansky set between 18-20 degrees (per side). I do all my touch-ups for my three Sebenzas on my Sharpmaker. I also have an Edge Pro but have never needed to use it on any Chris Reeve knife.
 
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