What kind of edges do you guys put on your BK16?

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Danketch

Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
583
Got one recently, stripped off the junk shit coating, and am putting desert ironwood scales on now. Mine is the flat ground model, and am thinking about doing it Derek's way of a nail file convex edge. Ths will be for camping/utility/hunting/daily carry use.

So what type of edge do you fellas like for those uses?

Thanks.
 
Generally, I prefer that my 16 is sharp...my favorite kind of edge.


Seriously, the a nice convex is hard to beat, whether you do it by hand or WorkSharp.
 
It's really a personal preference.

Convex has lots of advantages but does take good free-hand sharpening skills to create and maintain.
 
I just put a convex edge on my 16 the other day, with my worksharp. I basically "fisked" it. I LOVE it. It is so sharp now.

I have a small field sharpening kit if I need to do more than strop it with my belt, I glued a piece of a mousepad onto an altoids tin, with small pieces of sandpaper inside the tin.

I also have some thick rosewood scales from Tommythewho that make the knife feel amazing.

I haven't stripped it, though the fisking process ground off the coating around the perimeter of the blade.
 
I use a V edge on mine.

KME sharpener for a quick reprofile down to 40 degree inclusive, or 20 degree per side.

The last diamond I use is a coarse, then a few strops to knock off the burr.

I like a toothier edge on my working knives, cuts cloth and flesh like a chainsaw and peels wood like an orange.

Moose
 
I use a V from a guided sharpening system. Once I've got it down to 1000 grit stone, I strop it till the burr is gone.

Convex edges might be better, but I'm not patient enough to deal with the OCD issues of getting one. I like things to be repeatable and exact, which kind of makes convex edges hard for me to do.
 
So thats 4 for convex, and 2 for keeping a v-grind. Personally, it seems its easier for me to maintain a convex, so I think that's going to be the plan. Still shaping the handles now. That ironwood is a hoss to sand by hand in the detail spots!
 
Convex for me with the ken onion worksharp, well it will be as soon as I dull the factory edge. Done my BK2, insanely sharp.
 
The sharp kind...

I try to keep the V...but lots of hand sharpening and stropping usually makes a convex edge over time...because I don't flatten my stones enough.
 
I just ordered one that is going to be convexed before it even arrives to me. I've owned a bunch of Bark River Knives that had a convex grind and for me, it is just easier to maintain the edge with a strop; knife gets dull, strop and move on.
 
Gassy said:
Convex for me with the ken onion worksharp, well it will be as soon as I dull the factory edge. Done my BK2, insanely sharp.
Click to expand...

Hey bud, where'd you get your Ken Onion from? Fleabay? Bunnings? Shit. Bunnings wouldn't have them would they?
 
NikkiR said:
The sharp kind...

I try to keep the V...but lots of hand sharpening and stropping usually makes a convex edge over time...because I don't flatten my stones enough.
Click to expand...

This, only because my older than dirt stones are in horrible shape, and I'm just terrible at hand sharpening.
 
i sharpen all my knifes with stones freehand and allways strive for a v edge but freehand being what it is all my edges are slightly convex the only difference in my edges is the stone that i sharpen it on .from a quick and dirty carborundum 220 to a stupid sharp and refined 20,000 japanese level 5 stone.both cut like poison and will shave at least the hair off your arm
 
I use the worksharp Ken Onion edition ... Puts a nice convex edge on it and seems to stay sharp and workable for a long time
 
Sharp V-grind.

KME_zpsee3d5e66.jpg
 
For anyone learning to freehand, consistency is the name of the game so here's a tip that can help you out. A fine India stone is inexpensive and gives a great cutting edge. A lot of makers and knife men use them (Including Ethan and Jerry Fisk). A little WD40 and you're ready.

Now, here's the tip. A 1/4" binder clip gives you a 22 degree angle and that's not too shabby. It will let you maintain that consistent angle until your technique is good enough to go without it.

IMG_4997.jpg



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It will get you to about here:

IMG_5000.jpg



Then you will have to lift the blade a bit to maintain the angle.

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This will give you a razor edge the first time. Give it a try. :thumbup:
 
Very cool tip, tradewater! My sharpening skills are nowhere near where I want them. I will definitely try this.
 
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