What angles for what EDC steels?

[knarfeng]

Howdy,
I've been freehand sharpening my EDCs for close to 40 years using natural stones and oil. I always "feel" for the existing edge angle and work to that angle. I've never really had a problem with my results. But all the experts say I ought to be using a guide. Maybe I don't know what I'm failing to achieve in my sharpening efforts. So I'm starting to look for what I'm going to try. I've also read comments about how a higher grade steel can be sharpened at a narrower anlge. But no one says what angles are good for what steels. Which brings me to my question.

My knives are VG-10, 440C, ATS34, and AUS 10. Think I've got some AUS 8, too. Most of the factory edges are at what I estimate is about a 20° angle. For an EDC pocket knife like a Native, what angles do you recommend?

And just for fun, what guides do you recommend to hold those angles? Not really interested in a Sharpmaker. I think I'd like something that would allow me more choices in angle settings.

 

[dennis75]

all depends on your usage-pattern ofcourse and how sharp you feel your knives are when they're 'sharp enough for you', but i probably won't have to tell that to someone who's been freehanding for 40+ years.....

VG-10, 440C, ATS34, and AUS 10. Think I've got some AUS 8, too. Most of the factory edges are at what I estimate is about a 20° angle. For an EDC pocket knife like a Native, what angles do you

let's assume "regular normal use, 'really-sharp'-sharp (angles per side):

VG10 ......15
440C.......19
ATS34......16
AUS10......19
AUS8......21
440V.......13
S30V......14
ZDP189...13
BG42......13

that's more or less how i'd do it. i don't use a guide or whatever. i just sharpen consistently very flat freehand by feel. but...you can use Lansky and Sharpmaker-setups and the likes to guesstimate the angles.....


hope it helped any at all,

denn

 

[Cliff Stamp]

But all the experts say I ought to be using a guide.

They are not experts, or at least not unbiased ones anyway. Mostly you are talking to salemen if you get that responce. A guide helps people early on because it reduces a large variable and it has some uses such as quick touchups, similar to steeling but using an abrasive to create a sharper/stronger edge.

For an EDC pocket knife like a Native, what angles do you recommend?

What do you cut and how? In regards to steels, not only the type of steel (ATS-34, 440C, AUS-10, VG-10 are all essentially the same in that regard as they are all ~58/60 HRC high carbide stainless), but the heat treatment. Benchmades 60 HRC AUS-8A for example would be expected to be more stable at a lower angle than AUS8A at < 58 HRC.

-Cliff

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks Dennis. It does help. As far as my experience goes, I think I get them sharp. I guess I want to see what I don't know.

Cliff, I cut all kinds of stuff with an EDC. Depends on what I'm doing that day. I might trim a rough spot on the end of a PVC pipe that I just cut with a saw if I'm doing yard work. Or I mignt cut open some packaging material if I just got back from the store. Or some cardboard if I need to break down some boxes. One day I was on a job site and needed to cut about 20 yards of heavy cotton duck material (don't ask). I didn't have scissors with me. My EDC did the job. I need a blade that is sharp, but stable.

 

[dalefuller]

I've no reason other than personal experience for suggesting this, but I use 15 degrees on my EDCs. That list includes Spyderco Delicas (VG-10), Natives (S30V), and a Manix (S30V), as well as several Benchmades in 154CM and S30V. I'm satisfied with the cutting performance of all of these knives for my uses, which cover a fairly wide range from warehouse slicing to wire cutting to campsite and woods walking chores.

I use an Edge Pro for reprofiling or serious sharpening and a Sharpmaker for touch ups.

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks Dale,
That's useful information.
Using a protractor and estimating the angle as I feel the knife sit on the stone, I think I've been at about 20°.

I'll find a way to try 15°.