Sharpmaker help!

[freq18hz]

If you look on the base near the screw holes it will be written "30 degree Back Bevel". On the other side it will be marked "40 degree Edge".

This is confusing to me though...

If I have a blade that is hand sharpened between 17-20 degrees per side, do I want the 40 degree slot, or the 30?

can't you use the 30 degree on something like a benchmade, or a spyderco, since they are sharpened below 20 degrees per side?


-Freq

 

[zyhano]

17/20 translates to 34/40 total angle. On the sharpmaker the angles stated are the total angle value. so 40 means 20 per side. 30 means 15 per side. THe total value angle is called the inclusive angle.

You'd have to choose whether to use 30 or 40.
For beginning with sharpening and for general purpose use 40 degrees should work fine. Don't get bogged down by the details at first. Just sharpen at 40 (or 30) if you want until you get it down. You will get there. Use a magnifying glass to study the edge to get a better understanding.
Without someone to actually show you in person, you will just have to get the experience yourself, and knowledge comes by pratice and study.

 

[freq18hz]

whats interesting is, I took the sharpmaker stones and attached them to the back of the sharmaker, flat sides up.

I then took a knife and sharpened it in the same manner as I've seen people do on youtube with whetstones.

I was able to get the knife much sharper this way, than with the rods in the V.


-Freq