Steepest advisable angle on Hinderer XM-18 Gen 6 in 20CV

[Motega]

I'm planning on sharpening my Hinderer for the first time. The blade is a 3" XM-18 in 20CV.

I use a TSPROF and am careful about accurately measuring/calibrating using an angle cube. I have a very good variety of stones at my disposal starting on the low end with silicon carbide TSPROF kit stones at 120 and CBN 60 and maxing out on the upper end with 10 and 20K Suehiro and Sigma (I think the 20k is aluminum oxide and secret rocket sauce, but not sure.

This is my EDC, but I would like hair whittling as opposed to an edge that is more designed for impact work. The bast majority of EDC work I do is of the food prep or biology type tasks (thin cuts for bonsai, cell samples for mushrooms, etc.)

I'm calling to call sensei Wade on this one, but would appreciate any thoughts and opinions on angle, stones, and miscellaneous like doing a micro-bevel, etc. I can get pretty decent mirror edges if that's called for.

THANK YOU for any opinions
Below are 2 pics; a quick mirror polish I did (don't mind the scratches, it was a user knife and they were there already, plus look much worse under this magnification) and my 'usual' progression of stones except for the fact that I recently added a stone on the low end so I didn't have to jump so far and I haven't used the 20k yet. This mirror edge was NOT able to whittle hair although it didn't disappoint in the shaving sharp dept. I have yet to experience the whittle or be able to cut a hair in half without shaving.

 

[wade7575]

That's not right blade to try that Frank the blade is pretty thick and I'm not saying it can't be done because I haven't tried on a Hinderer.

I know Hinderer told me that they tell customer's to stay between 18 and 22 degree's,I sharpen mine at 18 degree's and they have Bowie blade's in S35VN.

A Spyderco knife would be a better option to try and make it hair whittling sharp IMHO

 

[REK Knives]

You should be able to get hair whittling at 20 dps or less. I would feel comfortable taking that down to 10-12 dps with a 15 dps microbevel for those required tasks. You can always adjust from there.

 

[Motega]

Thanks. By the way, huge fan of your work, I had my fingers on the patreon button a few times already, knowing you are active here definitely is going to push me over the edge and support you.

I don't get it, I can get mirror polish on the edge at 18 dps but doesn't whittle... that was 20CV.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Perhaps try a steel with a lower carbide content?