Tenacious on Sharpmaker question

[hov]

i bought a Tenacious and a Sharpmaker and i'd like to sharpen it with it, but i don't want to ruin the edge (it's still factory sharpened). what angle should i run it through?

 

[big wes]

I'd use the 40* angle 20* per side

 

[hov]

thanks for your quick response. i heard that if you run it through the 30° and then the 40° it will have longer endurance?

 

[jeff_c]

Watch the video that came with your Sharpmaker. Sal discusses the use of the 30 degree angles.

GREAT video on how to use the Sharpmaker.

 

[dsmegst]

When you're starting out, don't try to imitate Sal's speed on the Sharpmaker. He has a lot of experience using it and while you can do the same, it takes time to learn the correct movement for consistency.

Generally, the narrower angle will be "sharper" but more fragile. I put "sharper" in quotes because it's a perceived feeling, not really a level of sharpness.

As for endurance, generally a thicker edge will last longer but cut poorer. I hope that makes sense. Picture a thin piece of wood being pushed through a pile of gravel. It goes through fairly easily but a big piece of rock will break it. A larger piece can go through at a slower pace, but lasts longer.

The very tip of the blade is being supported by the steel beneath it. And if the support is thicker, the more stable the edge is, and lasts longer. So the choice is yours. 30 degrees for a thinner, better slicer or 40 degrees for a thicker, longer lasting edge.

 

[dsmegst]

thanks for your quick response. i heard that if you run it through the 30° and then the 40° it will have longer endurance?

So now you're talking about a "micro-bevel." First, you have a relatively thin edge. Then you take down the very tip and make the leading edge a bit thicker (thus creating a micro-bevel). So your main bevel can still push through material efficiently but your leading edge, micro-bevel, is fairly strong and stable. Another advantage is that you can quickly reestablish a microbevel many times before you need to knock down the main bevel again (reprofiling).