Shrapening and Emerson 154CM on a Sharpmaker

[colubrid]

Okay I know you only sharpen one side and finish the burr by stropping on the other side.

But I have more specific questions:

What angle on the sharpmaker should you use for an Emerson? 30 or 40 degrees????

Also (and this is a question I have many times) . How many strokes should you do? Is there an estimated amount before you should stop and check sharpness ? The only estimates I see people saying they took 20 minutes sharpening a knife. Or 10 minutes.. But really what does that equal to in the amount of strokes? You all must have some idea and even though they may vary I am asking specifically on Emersons and the type of blade steel on a production Emerson- 154CM.

So for a dull knife (dull= won't shave hair but is close to it) what is a minimal and maximum strokes? Is 20 average? 40? 100?...?


Looking for a ballpark estimates on how many times.. AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU mUST KEEP COUNT! I am just trying to get a ballpark idea for a 154CM.

 

[Billy516]

I've had a few EKI's over the years and sharpened them all on my SM at the 40 degree setting. The only model I had to adjust angle on was the 7 since it had a significantly higher angle. But my 15, 8, Horseman etc all sharpened up very nicely on the 40 degree setting.

As far as number of strokes, I would do 10 on the bevel and then 1-3 light passes on the back side. Repeat 4-5 times to get to hair popping sharpness. Maybe a total of 40-50 strokes with the brown rods on the ground side if the knife was dull. Then move on to fine and UF rods (20-30 strokes) and finish on a leather strop. YMMV, but that always worked for me.

I always like the simplicity and ease of sharpening an Emerson.

 

[BK14]

Emerson’s are funny. They seem to response the best to the cheapest possible sharpening medium. I always sharpened mine on the 40 degree setting, with about 10 strokes on the bevel, then pop over to a few on the other side. Do this until it’s sharp. If that isn’t working for you, grab a coffee mug and use that. If that isn’t working for you, grab a brick