vain attempt at reprofiling with Sharpmaker (diamond rods)

[koolstof]

Hi there,

I have a Cold Steel Black Bear Classic, made of AUS-8A steel. It came dull out of the box, very disappointing...

I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker with the optional diamond honing rods.

I thought I'd reprofile the knife, using the diamond hones, on a 30 degree angle. I've used the Sharpmaker succesfully for smaller jobs but even with the diamond rods, I don't seem to get an adequate edge, I will barely shave. I have done at least 50 swipes on each side, using moderate pressure... I can see the metal particles falling from the knife... they accumulate, covering the plastic of the 204... not very thick but still...

I have done the magic-marker trick and the ink dissappears. However, the bevels were not the same width to start from and still are not. Is that normal/acceptable for a brandnew knife?

Am I not patient enough for a knife of that size? Should I just calmly keep swiping untill I have a decent edge? I thought AUS-8A was rather "sharpenable"...

I am scared ending up with a dull blade, no matter how long I try and that I will wear out my expensive diamond hones. I think I will have it done by a pro and abandon Cold Steel... *grmbl*

Thanks

 

[rlinger]

I do my hunting knives at 25 degrees, fillets at 20 and some kitchen at 20 but most at 25 degrees. I almost gave up trying to learn how to use a new sharpening gadget a few years ago because it just didn't seem like I was getting anywhere very quick. Persistance proved that once the new angle was achieved (lots of time involved) the blade could be kept sharp with ease using that same gadget. It may be that you are changing from the vendor's original 'out of the box' angle. I have a production AUS-8A and it was time consumming to originally sharpen it at my 25 degree preference.

Roger