Suggestions on CPM - M4 Folder

B

BostonBull

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
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I have a Spryderco Gayle Bradley that I love. What angle would you all suggest for typical mundane uses? It isn't a EDC, but comes with me hiking, and when I travel in the woods. Opens boxes, etc. Pretty boring stuff. Currently I keep it at about 15*ps

My limit here may be the way I sharpen, I don't yet know how to freehand, so I use a Hapstone V7 with gritomatic Silica Carbide stones ranging from 120 - 1k grit.

If anyone in the Boston area who excels at freehands, wants to share some of that knowledge, I am open to learning.
 
samuraistuart said:
15 per side is what I like for CPM m4.
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I just keep the geometry the Gayle Bradley came with. It is rare for me to say that because I am reprofiling stuff all the time but the Bradley was a freekin' Gem out of the box and so I just sharpen what is there. I'm thinking the stock edge is about 15 per side.
 
I just yesterday afternoon clamped up my GB2 in my new Wicked Edge. I set it up at 20dps (checked with a digital angle gauge) and it was touching the apex right off. I had to put it away for the afternoon, so I didn't get any further, but this weekend I plan to find the factory bevel and I'll report in. I'm guessing it's in the 17-18 dps range. Could be as low as 15.
 
How do you like the GB2? It's been in my cart for awhile now and I am not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger. .
 
GiantMouse said:
How do you like the GB2? It's been in my cart for awhile now and I am not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger. .
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It is an all-time, top-three favorite! Great price, solidly built but not a brick, in a premium steel that is an outstanding performer. Both the original and the GB2 are fantastic. Every collection should have one.
 
TRfromMT said:
I just yesterday afternoon clamped up my GB2 in my new Wicked Edge. I set it up at 20dps (checked with a digital angle gauge) and it was touching the apex right off. I had to put it away for the afternoon, so I didn't get any further, but this weekend I plan to find the factory bevel and I'll report in. I'm guessing it's in the 17-18 dps range. Could be as low as 15.
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Sounds great! Ill keep an eye here for your findings.
 
I found M4 to be one of my favorite steels ... my sharpening angle depends alot on what I'll use the knife for ...

I don't have a GB ... but probably should try one at some point ... but my Manix 2 I use for tougher tasks so I went about 17 dps .. I say about because I free hand sharpen ...

my PM2 in M4 I went about 15 dps since it is more of a slicer fine work type knife for me so a bit finer esge works great.
 
BostonBull said:
Sounds great! Ill keep an eye here for your findings.
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I set the W.E. at 18° per side and after achieving a burr, there is just a small amount of the original shoulder left of the factory primary grind. It could be 15° per side, but I did not want to take my edge that acute.

I sharpened through 1000 grit diamond stones at 18° per side. Then I stropped with 5 and 3.5 micron stropping paste. I didn't bother to work at it until it was a mirror polish - I'm not bothered about that. Finally, I followed with a few passes at 20° per side to put a micro edge on my ultra fine ceramic rods on my sharpmaker to put just a little micro bevel on it.

I am not sure I have ever had a knife this sharp. It's very nice!

I have a set of 1200/1600 ceramic stones for the W.E. coming, and I am really excited to run this edge with those!
 
Thank you for detailing this! I had previously gone and put the edges at 15* per side, with my highest grit stone - Silica Carbide at 1,000 grit.

You're right, this knife and steel take an easy edge and hold it like its trying to be stolen from it. :)
 
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