Umnumzaan Sharpening

M

MatthewSB

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Feb 1, 2013
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My Sebenza 25 came razor sharp and I've been able to keep it that way with a strop loaded with black and green compound. I just got a new Umnumzaan to try out and it came dull, like it won't even slice copy paper dull.

I have flat ceramic stones, a Sharpmaker, a Wicked Edge, and several loaded strops to work with. I'm moderately good with the Wicked Edge, but to be honest I'm still getting used to the system. I do not want to mess up a $400 knife, but I also do not want to have to mail it in to be sharpened. I believe I will be using this knife for some time to come so I might as well "get to know" it by putting my own edge on it. I'm not sure if I should use the Sharpmaker to tune the edge, or the Wicked Edge for a perfect 40 degree edge.

What would you use to sharpen the Umnumzaan, and at what angle? Anything unique to keep in mind for this particular blade?
 
I just sharpen mine with a ceramic pocket stone (spyderco double stuff), and use balsa strops with green and red compounds. If I need to reprofile, I use paperwheels.
 
I had a new Sebenza show up dull like that. Only took a few strokes on the Sharpmaker and strop to get it up to snuff. I'd try that first before moving on to more aggressive metal removal.
 
My brand new Umnumzaan I got about 3 weeks ago came disappointingly dull. Scroll down the threads a page or so to see my recommendations for the Wicked Edge. I personally wouldn't put a CRK on the WEPS until a) I was confident in my technique and b) my stones were broken in. I've known some folks that put a CRK and Hinderer on the WEPS their first 2 or 3 knives ever using the system, so what do I know. A few swipes with a fine Sharpmaker rod is all it really needs, but in my experience reprofiling needs to be done before the rods will touch the apex. YMMV.
 
CRK recommends using the sharpmaker, so you should be good to go. I've got one but don't use it. I've been using the Lansky and KME system and that works for me.
 
MatthewSB said:
I have flat ceramic stones, a Sharpmaker, a Wicked Edge, and several loaded strops to work with. I'm moderately good with the Wicked Edge, but to be honest I'm still getting used to the system.
Click to expand...

Practice on some kitchen knives. Or go buy a $5 special kitchen knife to practice on. Watch some how to videos on youtube. (see below on a quick google search)

Just make sure you clamp it on the same spot each time you want to do a reprofile.


MatthewSB said:
What would you use to sharpen the Umnumzaan, and at what angle? Anything unique to keep in mind for this particular blade?
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Angle is job specific. If you want an all around purpose angle 12-15 degrees per side is sufficient. Nothing unique to keep in mind. It is a knife, it has belly, consistency in sharpening is all that is needed. Be it freehand or with a system.

[video=youtube;hM6pnge3dos]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM6pnge3dos[/video]
 
12 dps for S35VN?

Free to do as you choose, but when I eventually put mine on there, my choice will be 20 dps. YMMV
 
uofaengr said:
12 dps for S35VN?

Free to do as you choose, but when I eventually put mine on there, my choice will be 20 dps. YMMV
Click to expand...

Edges vary depending on users, steel and performance wants. There is no one size fits all.

If you are happy with 20 dps that is fine.

My experience:

I generally run low angles. More towards 10-12 dps for general EDC as I freehand. S30v,m390, S35vn,cpm-m4 have all been good to me at those angles even when cutting irrigation pipes and general neglect in use. I have even pushed my Insingo to 7.6 degrees per side, my Military to 7.2 degrees per side and my gayle bradley and my custom Lannys Clip in 14c28n to around 5 degrees per side but then one needs to be a bit more careful in use depending on how thin the knife is behind the edge and the limitations of the steel.
 
marthinus said:
Edges vary depending on users, steel and performance wants. There is no one size fits all.

If you are happy with 20 dps that is fine.

My experience:

I generally run low angles. More towards 10-12 dps for general EDC as I freehand. S30v,m390, S35vn,cpm-m4 have all been good to me at those angles even when cutting irrigation pipes and general neglect in use. I have even pushed my Insingo to 7.6 degrees per side, my Military to 7.2 degrees per side and my gayle bradley and my custom Lannys Clip in 14c28n to around 5 degrees per side but then one needs to be a bit more careful in use depending on how thin the knife is behind the edge and the limitations of the steel.
Click to expand...
I would love to see pics of that Insingo.
 
Here is a video I did a while back. Take into consideration that since I freehand the edge can be convex towards the apex providing enough strength to support the edge.

[video=youtube;8nUNdSiaimg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nUNdSiaimg&x-yt-cl=84838260&x-yt-ts=1422327029#t=21[/video]
 
Last night I used the Sharpmaker on the Umnumzaan, and the angles matched perfectly. I can't believe how well they lined up, after years of EDCing production knives with inconsistent angles. After a brief run on the Sharpmaker I stropped the edge and the Umnumzaan pops hairs.

Thanks all!
 
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