What angle to sharpen at - new ZT0550 that is not sharp

[agile_1]

Just got a nib ZT0550 blem from Kershawguy. Super knife and super service. But - the knife is definitely not as sharp as it should/could be. There is a nice secondary bevel and I am thinking all I need to do is start with a fine hone to put an primary bevel/edge on it.

But I am not sure what angle to use.

All I have for sharpening is a Gatco. I have the regular (SiC?) hones. Diamond hones and alumina extra fine hone should be arriving via UPS today.

Like I said, it is a brand new ZT0550 blem with a nice secondary bevel - just seems like it wasn't fully sharpened. Does anyone know what angles Kershaw uses for this knife?

Thanks for any info & help.

BTW - I am calling the larger bevel the secondary bevel, and the actual cutting edge the primary bevel. This is what Juranitch uses on pg. 23 (fig. 1.2) of his book "The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening". I know there is some back and forth about what to call them but for the purposes of understanding what angle to use I am using his nomenclature and calling the cutting edge bevel the primary bevel.

 

[9blades]

My personal guess would be 20 degrees....also I think if you look on ZT's web site they have care instructions for there knives, it might show the angel there.

Hope it helps!

-niner

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Magic marker, along the primary bevel, will reveal a lot. I would start at 12 degrees, 24 inclusive and go from there. Wouldn't it be nice if this information came with the knife?

Fred

 

[Jason B.]

I have carried a 0551 for more than 2 years now, about 18-20 per side works fine for the semi-abusive tasks I tend to put it through. Both diamond and Silicon carbide stones will do well to sharpen that steel.

To not confuse things too much think of the bevel like a triangle and if you use the primary bevel, around here is called a microbevel. This microbevel from the factory is not a good starting point and it would be in your best interest to profile the bevel and set straight lines. Your current bevel is not even close to how straight it could be if you used your Gatco, straighten the bevel and get yourself a good starting point from which you can create a Sharp edge.

 

[agile_1]

I have carried a 0551 for more than 2 years now, about 18-20 per side works fine for the semi-abusive tasks I tend to put it through. Both diamond and Silicon carbide stones will do well to sharpen that steel.

To not confuse things too much think of the bevel like a triangle and if you use the primary bevel, around here is called a microbevel. This microbevel from the factory is not a good starting point and it would be in your best interest to profile the bevel and set straight lines. Your current bevel is not even close to how straight it could be if you used your Gatco, straighten the bevel and get yourself a good starting point from which you can create a Sharp edge.

Thanks knifenut. Will give that try. Thinking 18 to reprofile then 20 for the 'micro' bevel.

 

[agile_1]

My personal guess would be 20 degrees....also I think if you look on ZT's web site they have care instructions for there knives, it might show the angel there.

Hope it helps!

-niner

Basically the website leaves it pretty wide open - from the ZT product care page

You can also sharpen your knife with the Ultra-Tek sharpener:

Hold the blade against the Ultra-Tek at the original sharpened angle of 18° to 22°

Then there is this slightly contradictory (sort of) on the FAQ page

TO WHAT ANGLE SHOULD I SHARPEN MY ZT BLADE?
Zero Tolerance blades are sharpened to angles of between 20° and 22°.

I don't know about an ultra-tek. I am using my Gatco. But angles are angles so I am going with 20 for the micro bevel and 18 for the secondary bevel. Starting with marker, 20 degrees and a fine stone first to see where it gets me. Can't be any worse than it is. Dullest factory edge I have seen. Maybe they didn't bother to finish it because it was a blem.

 

[Luis G.]

The two ZT 561's I had both came well over 22 degrees.

one was closer to 27 degrees per side, and the other came at around 24 degrees per side.

 

[agile_1]

As it turns out, 22 degrees was just about right for the primary bevel. I got it pretty sharp at that angle then put a 25 degree micro bevel on it.