Sharpmaker - Sharpening ZT 0350

[Maniacal Pete]

I need to get going on this so I am asking here and in the sharpening area:

I'm working on a ZT 0350 (recurve folder s30v) and I am making progress;
near mirror finish on the bevel, but it still doesn't seem to be as sharp as
I would like it to be (tested by cutting cardboard, feathering paper).

Should I be working at 40 degrees or 30?

With the Sharpmaker should I be raise a burr each step of the way?

When I switch from the corners to the flats on the tri-stones,
the knife still doesn't seem to make much contact,
is this normal?

Any other thoughts?

I have diamond through ultra fine stones.

Also, how long does it take to wreck the diamond stones by using too much pressure
(for those who fail to RTFM)?

 

[bh49]

Should I be working at 40 degrees or 30?

I would work on 30

With the Sharpmaker should I be raise a burr each step of the way?

You have two options.
You do not have to raise burr, if you do not want to. Also this way you will not need to remove it. Color the edge with a magic marker and alternate strokes until you remove marker. Visual aid like 10x eye loupe will help to see results. With your coarsest stones you need to create the edge. Sal on DVD describe the tests, which you have to meet to pass before you go to the next step.
If you like to work with burr (like I), work with your diamonds on one side of the knife to create a burr along entire edge, than repeat with another side, than alternate strokes to reduce the bur and than remove it. After that just alternate strokes on all following steps.
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When I switch from the corners to the flats on the tri-stones,
the knife still doesn't seem to make much contact,
is this normal?

yes. The best for recurved blades are round or very narrow stones. Sharpmaker rods are fairly narrow

Also, how long does it take to wreck the diamond stones by using too much pressure
(for those who fail to RTFM)?

not long, very fast. It took less than one reprofiling of my S30V Native for me to ruin my first DMT coarse stone about five years ago. I didn't know any better back than. So do not apply a lot of pressure and be patient.
Good luck

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Thanks!

The thread got going in Maintenance so I'm going to lock this one.