What edge angle can the M390 PM2 be taken down to?

M

MJF

Joined
Jan 10, 2009
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Hey all, I just purchased an Edge Pro and I want to reprofile my M390 PM2 to something reasonable. I previously freehanded it to a ridiculously low angle on DMT Diasharps (I have no idea how low, but the bevel is way too wide and uneven, but it is pretty shiny, so I've got that going for me) and it chipped out when I decided to do some drunken stick sharpening during a camping trip. My question is this: Has anyone played around with their M390 PM2's enough to have a general idea of the lowest angle the edge will hold without completely falling apart. For reference, I don't work it that hard...Mostly light utility duty with the occasional drunken spear making.
 
I have my green (pretty much the same steel and same knife) at 30° main diamond guided rod setup and 40° micro from the SM. If you utilize a micro bevel, I bet you could go close to 20° on your main and 30° on your micro. I have the same setup on my Southard and apart from some hidden staples I hit hard on that one neither have chipped/rolled.
 
I have mine with a 20 degree bevel and a 30 degree microbevel--both are inclusive angles. It holds up fine and could probably be taken to a 15 degree bevel and a 25 degree microbevel.
 
I've used my military in that steel pretty hard at the same angles nccole mentioned with no problems. Very impressed with m390.
 
Thanks all, took it down to 20 inclusive with a 30 inclusive microbevel. The edge angle I had on it from freehanding on my DMTs was pretty close to 10 degrees on one side, but way less on the other, so it took some doing, but we'll see how it holds up. Right now, it cuts through cardboard like butter.
 
If it is cutting through cutboard like butter and not chipping/rolling, I say that is a winner. You may encounter some hidden staples in a box that do some damage, but if an edge can hold up to cardboard it will fare pretty good in other mediums. Try some heavy zip ties that will tell you something also.
 
I cut open a can of tuna with my southard (cts -204P) and it only received one minor chip. I thought it handled it pretty well. It was about 30 inclusive.

And before anyone yells at me, yes I know it was dumb but I was hungry and I didn't have a can opener.
 
That's why you should always have a decent cheap knife available as well...Those Southards are costly.
 
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