Why is my big box $3.00 throw-a-way knife (made in China) WAY sharper than my online bought Spyderco

[Dangerously]

Very Wrong assumption; did you read the Benchmade is Very sharp now from the exact same two wheel sharpener shop
and stropping, but not even the Delica, - explain that !

A mark of low skill is inconsistency.

There are so many good vg-10 sypdercos in the world that, before people believe yours is bad, they will need some amount of evidence greater than zero. Which is really all you’ve provided.

 

[LG&M]

I don't have anything to add at this time. I am posting so I can more easily find this latter. I don't want to miss anything.
Carry on.

 

[Lapedog]

Very Wrong assumption; did you read the Benchmade is Very sharp now from the exact same two wheel sharpener shop
and stropping, but not even the Delica, - explain that !

Do you understand that if the edge angle on the Spyderco is a wider angle than the 40 degree sharpmaker setting or the angle of the two wheel sharpening system (which are garbage btw) then they won’t be able to hit the apex of the edge?

“Explain that?” It has been explained. Please read post #19 in this thread. It will fix your problem. The knife will come back from the professional bladeforum sharpener very sharp.

Once the edge angle is reset to 18degrees per side if you can’t keep it sharp with the 40degree setting on the sharpmaker then you are simply doing something wrong.

 

[EricV]

I've heard someone describe a two wheel sharpener before, local sporting goods store that sharpens on the side. They were referring to one of these monstrosities which spin a set of beveled wheels in each slot:

I've sent knives to three different local "sharpeners", they've all come back mediocre at best and butchered at least once. Most of the time the fanciest knife they've seen is a Shun kitchen knife, or an old hunting knife that they have to give to someone who is incapable of sharpening on their own, thus they usually only have to get something moderately sharp. Just send it out to one of the forum sharpeners who will take the time to sharpen it correctly.

 

[danbot]

I've heard someone describe a two wheel sharpener before, local sporting goods store that sharpens on the side. They were referring to one of these monstrosities which spin a set of beveled wheels in each slot:

I've sent knives to three different local "sharpeners", they've all come back mediocre at best and butchered at least once. Most of the time the fanciest knife they've seen is a Shun kitchen knife, or an old hunting knife that they have to give to someone who is incapable of sharpening on their own, thus they usually only have to get something moderately sharp. Just send it out to one of the forum sharpeners who will take the time to sharpen it correctly.

OOOOOooooooo! It's a diamond hone!!...Plus!!

 

[Mo2]

Very Wrong assumption; did you read the Benchmade is Very sharp now from the exact same two wheel sharpener shop
and stropping, but not even the Delica, - explain that !

They have completely different edge angles and blade stock. One may have been more damaged than the other. Seriously I don't think you understand how it all works.

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I've heard someone describe a two wheel sharpener before, local sporting goods store that sharpens on the side. They were referring to one of these monstrosities which spin a set of beveled wheels in each slot:

I've sent knives to three different local "sharpeners", they've all come back mediocre at best and butchered at least once. Most of the time the fanciest knife they've seen is a Shun kitchen knife, or an old hunting knife that they have to give to someone who is incapable of sharpening on their own, thus they usually only have to get something moderately sharp. Just send it out to one of the forum sharpeners who will take the time to sharpen it correctly.

Just saw that before lunch and now I wanna puke... Bad bad Chef

 

[19-3ben]

Thanks Knarfeng
That is a good and detailed answer, I appreciate that.... & will do

Q - What angle do you recommend for a Delica Flat Ground VG-10
Q - What official angle did this knife originally come with?

Knarfeng's advice is excellent, but any advice on sharpening, is assuming you actually have a good knife. You still don't know what you're working with since you bought what might be history's most cloned knife, from Amazon, during a time period which according to what you heard directly from Spyderco, is known for lots of knock-offs.

So you've really got a mystery knife on your hands. If it's a real Delica, knarfeng's advice will really be very helpful to you, and you have an excellent knife. But if I were you, I'd first want to do my homework to make sure it's the real deal.

I've heard someone describe a two wheel sharpener before, local sporting goods store that sharpens on the side. They were referring to one of these monstrosities which spin a set of beveled wheels in each slot:

I've sent knives to three different local "sharpeners", they've all come back mediocre at best and butchered at least once. Most of the time the fanciest knife they've seen is a Shun kitchen knife, or an old hunting knife that they have to give to someone who is incapable of sharpening on their own, thus they usually only have to get something moderately sharp. Just send it out to one of the forum sharpeners who will take the time to sharpen it correctly.

Ugh... My father used to use one of those to sharpen our Ikea* brand kitchen knives when I was growing up. I love my father but... i got nothin'.


*and OXO... those were the "good ones."

 

[Megawatt308]

This guy again hating on his problem VG-10 steel knife? I think he will never get ride of it, he has too much fun creating VG-10 hate topics. Even after free sharpening services has been given to him to prove the steel is very capable of being sharp.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Why doesn't someone here offer to sharpen it for him to prove that it's just him and that it can be sharpened ?

Seems like it would put an end to this real quick.

 

[SpySmasher]

Why doesn't someone here offer to sharpen it for him to prove that it's just him and that it can be sharpened ?

Seems like it would put an end to this real quick.

It's been offered multiple times. Did you read the threads?

 

[Hickory n steel]

It's been offered multiple times. Did you read the threads?

I read most of itiquickly but it was a bit hard to follow.
Based on his attitude I would not expect anyone to have offered.
Anyways, if he does take someone up on their offer it would certainly end this.

 

[Ruzster]

Anyways, if he does take someone up on their offer it would certainly end this.

. . . in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes . . . Oh, and OP's aversion to accepting the advice and assistance repeatedly and generously offerred herein.

 

[Hickory n steel]

. . . in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes . . . Oh, and OP's aversion to accepting the advice and assistance repeatedly and generously offerred herein.

You're absolutely right.

 

[mongomondo]

He won't even post pictures of the knife so i don't think he owns one at all

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

First off, it is not uncommon for a factory knife to have uneven bevels. To see if you are actually sharpening your knife, mark the edge with a sharpie. The sharpie should, throughout sharpening, be ground away.

Secondly, VG10 is an absolute dream to sharpen. It takes a very keen, hair popping edge and does so with minimal effort. It is actually one of my absolute favorite knife steels for this very reason. It's also very corrosion resistant, which is a big plus. Edge retention leaves a little to be desired but with the ease of sharpening, I couldn't care less.

A VG10 Spyderco Endura Wave was one of my first blades. I loved that thing.

 

[cabfrank]

You could sell the knife, cheap, as you say. Believe it or not, some of us (me) don't have a Delica, and would love a cheap dull one.
More seriously, if someone on this forum offered to sharpen a dull knife for me at no charge, I would be humbled, and jump at the offer.
Another excellent option would be to send it to Spyderco, with five dollars for return shipping. Cheap. I am sure their expert sharpeners are indeed that, and it will come back cutting paper. They would also be able to let you know if it is indeed a fake, although it is unlikely according to what they told you.
Not to be rude, but this is a "stop cursing the darkness and light a candle" scenario. There are options for you to solve this, instead of stressing about it. You'll have a great knife, and be happier.

 

[bearfacedkiller]

People have offered to sharpen it for you and they have the experience to tell you if something is not right with the knife. Spyderco also offers free sharpening and they can verify authenticity and they can tell you if something else is wrong with the knife. If you want them the answers are right in front of you.


I have many knives in VG10 including a Delica and I can get them all to whittle hairs. It is a good steel and not hard to sharpen. We see it all the time on the forums, somebody struggles to put an edge on and they blame the knife or the sharpener when in reality it is oporator error. In theory sharpening is quite simple but in practice it is a bit of an art. It takes time to figure out but once you do it seems quite simple and you wonder why it was ever so hard. If you are determined you will figure it out and you will be better for it. Lots of great info in the maintenance subforum.

 

[miso2]

C calldoug

I think you have a serious issue in communication.
I almost feel that I am played or teased by you.
You limit the amount of information provided, ignore some sincere helps, and repeat same things over and over.
I decided to put you on my ignore list.
Good luck with your quest.
Bye.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

First, if it is not a BF dealer member, then leave out the seller names.

Second, cheap knives normally have softer steel. Softer steel is much easier to put an edge on.

A multitude of experienced people have found that VG10 takes a good edge and holds it significantly better than the blade on a $3.00 knife. I suggest spending some time reading in the Maintenance Forum. To put it bluntly, I don't think you have sufficient experience to point at the heat treat. There are other factors to consider.

When using a Sharpmaker, it won't actually sharpen the edge until the edge angle on the blade matches the angle of the Sharpmaker. This is called, changing the bevel angle. That happens WAY quicker when sharpening a blade made of soft steel, than with properly heat treated steel. It also happens a lot faster with steel that does not contain carbides than with steel that does contain carbides.

VG10 contains carbides, and it is heat treated to ~59 HRC. Neither 8Cr14MoV nor the $3.00 big box knife steel have carbides. So it is going to be much harder to sharpen VG10 than either of the others. But once sharpened, the VG10 will hold an edge significantly longer. Being into traditional pocket knives, I am very familiar with the vagaries of soft steel. Cough Case Cough.

Check the Maintenance Forum for threads on Sharpmakers and on using a sharpie to determine if you have matched the edge angles.

This is why a $3.00 Knife is sharper. ^^^