Wicked Edge and Small Knives

[ThomT]

Hello all.
I have a WE100 on its way to me and am eager to start getting sharp knives.
Many thanks to all those who provided advice!
000Robert , K kane22 , cudgee , B Blade Lab , LimpCroissant , U UncleBoots , toker

Regarding small knives, I wanted to run this question by the Wicked Edge users.

How do you handle pen knives with very small blades that are 1/2" and sometimes even less in height and only 2-3 inches long?
I have a Gatco oil stone system which worked pretty well on one of them, but not on the smallest and I'd like to be able to use the WE system.
Wicked Edge suggests using their Low Angle Adapter (see this link) but I have trouble seeing how that will help with really small blades.
In that same link , they also mentioned that some users have had success with the Tormek Small Knife Holder which to me looks like a great solution.
How do you guys sharpen very small knives?
Thanks for reading.

 

[000Robert]

Hello all.
I have a WE100 on its way to me and am eager to start getting sharp knives.
Many thanks to all those who provided advice!
000Robert , K kane22 , cudgee , B Blade Lab , LimpCroissant , U UncleBoots , toker

Regarding small knives, I wanted to run this question by the Wicked Edge users.

How do you handle pen knives with very small blades that are 1/2" and sometimes even less in height and only 2-3 inches long?
I have a Gatco oil stone system which worked pretty well on one of them, but not on the smallest and I'd like to be able to use the WE system.
Wicked Edge suggests using their Low Angle Adapter (see this link) but I have trouble seeing how that will help with really small blades.
In that same link , they also mentioned that some users have had success with the Tormek Small Knife Holder which to me looks like a great solution.
How do you guys sharpen very small knives?
Thanks for reading.

I would try to use my WE60 first just because of the gripping ability of the vise jaws. A member of the WE Forum is making some 1" riser blocks for the WE60 & WE66. That will help get to more acute angles on the tiny knives. I'll dig around and try to find a knife blade that tiny and check it out and let you know later.
Sharpening the small knives is why I recommended the WE60. And it can handle blades thicker than 1/4" if you buy some different length screws. I really believe that the WE60 is a steal at the price it is being sold for. The best sharpening system for the price that is available.

If the WE60 doesn't work, then I would use my Tormek Small Knife Holder.

 

[ThomT]

I really believe that the WE60 is a steal at the price it is being sold for.

I don't disagree it is a great price. I created an "apples to apples" comparison (see below) for the WE60, WE100 and ProPack 1 showing what is included and what additional items I wanted.
I wanted the base because I'll be using it at different locations and didn't want to have to clamp it for stability.
The net difference between the WE60 and ProPack1 was only $74 and provided what I felt was the proper range of stones as well as strops. So, I figured that was the best way to go.

I would use my Tormek Small Knife Holder.

I thought as much and have already ordered one!

Thanks 000Robert !

 

[000Robert]

I don't disagree it is a great price. I created an "apples to apples" comparison (see below) for the WE60, WE100 and ProPack 1 showing what is included and what additional items I wanted.
I wanted the base because I'll be using it at different locations and didn't want to have to clamp it for stability.
The net difference between the WE60 and ProPack1 was only $74 and provided what I felt was the proper range of stones as well as strops. So, I figured that was the best way to go.
View attachment 2009290


I thought as much and have already ordered one!

Thanks 000Robert !

It's the vise jaws that separates the WE60 from the WE100. But the WE100 should do pretty good for you.

 

[ThomT]

It's the vise jaws that separates the WE60 from the WE100.

Very good point.

 

[000Robert]

Very good point.

I don't own a WE100 so I really can't speak about it much, I'm just going off of the photos on their website. You can ask the guys on the WE forum and maybe someone has a WE100 and a WE60.

The smallest blade that I have that is worth sharpening is the tiny drop point on my Steel Warrior slip joint knife. The cutting edge is 1.45", the spine thickness is .0515" at the heel and .0435" at the tip end of the clamp, and the width is .3745" at the heel and .3355" at the end of the clamp. 13.9dps was about as acute as I could get without rubbing the vise.

 

[ThomT]

The smallest blade that I have that is worth sharpening is the tiny drop point on my Steel Warrior slip joint knife.

Gotcha. Those are good pics. Thank you.
My smallest is a CaseXX 5220 Stag two blade folder, one with a clip point and the other with a drop point. The drop point has a cutting edge that is just over 1 1/4" and the height of the blade is 1/4".
I was able to sharpen the clip point in my Gatco but not the drop point. I'm hoping the Tormek holder I ordered will help get the job done.

 

[000Robert]

Gotcha. Those are good pics. Thank you.
My smallest is a CaseXX 5220 Stag two blade folder, one with a clip point and the other with a drop point. The drop point has a cutting edge that is just over 1 1/4" and the height of the blade is 1/4".
I was able to sharpen the clip point in my Gatco but not the drop point. I'm hoping the Tormek holder I ordered will help get the job done.

Yeah, the Tormek comes in handy.

 

[ThomT]

My smallest is a CaseXX 5220 Stag two blade folder, one with a clip point and the other with a drop point. The drop point has a cutting edge that is just over 1 1/4" and the height of the blade is 1/4".
I was able to sharpen the clip point in my Gatco but not the drop point.

Fun fact...I tried my WorkSharp Guided Field Sharpener on the drop point and got a very nice working edge on it.

 

[000Robert]

Fun fact...I tried my WorkSharp Guided Field Sharpener on the drop point and got a very nice working edge on it.

I have some WS sharpeners, but I don't have that one. You could also use the bottom of a coffee cup. But I fell in love with perfect bevels. It also seems to me that perfect bevels perform better and hold an edge longer. But it may just be my imagination...

 

[ThomT]

I have some WS sharpeners, but I don't have that one.

I got it a while back to take with me to hunting camp and it does a good job if you take your time with it.
It also gives a better edge now that it is broken in, something I didn't even know was a thing when I bought it but found out when learning about WE sharpeners. Honestly, my WE research has made me better at using that sharpener.
The diamond plates are about same size as WE stones. However, trying to hold the sharpener and a knife at the same time makes keeping the correct angle challenging. Easier with short blades 2-3". But longer blades will requiring developing a lot of muscle memory.
That said, the ceramic hones on it are themselves worth having in the field for quick touchups between skinning jobs.
All in all, a pretty good tool to have in your backpack when, as the name suggests, in the field.

But I fell in love with perfect bevels. It also seems to me that perfect bevels perform better and hold an edge longer. But it may just be my imagination...

I doubt it is your imagination. You've got skills and the power of observation!!

 

[000Robert]

I doubt it is your imagination. You've got skills and the power of observation!!

I think I'll test it in a couple of months when I can afford to buy another knife to test. I love my Kershaw Launch 1 so I might buy one more to test. Then I'll reprofile/ sharpen the new Launch 1 by hand and resharpen mine on my Wicked Edge and see how many slices that they can make on my 2" HD Poly straps before they get too dull to cut. Because a dull blade will not cut my HD Poly strap or my HD Nylon strap.

 

[toker]

The smallest knives that I routinely sharpen are some cheap Henckels paring knives. They're thin and have a short blade height. I usually mount them in the high position and use 20° angles for sharpening. The main thing you want to check with small knives is the clearance for the stones. You don't want the stone to scrape against the clamp while sharpening.

 

[ThomT]

I love my Kershaw Launch 1

That indeed is a sweet looking knife. Might have to put that on my wish list!!

 

[ThomT]

The main thing you want to check with small knives is the clearance for the stones. You don't want the stone to scrape against the clamp while sharpening.

So true!!

 

[ThomT]

If the WE60 doesn't work, then I would use my Tormek Small Knife Holder.

Got my Tormek holder. Still waiting on my WE (comes tomorrow!) but put my small two blade folder in the Tormek holder. I can see the blade will be a little off center so will have to adjust the rod position differently on each side.

 

[000Robert]

Got my Tormek holder. Still waiting on my WE (comes tomorrow!) but put my small two blade folder in the Tormek holder. I can see the blade will be a little off center so will have to adjust the rod position differently on each side.

Why can't you straighten it up?

 

[ThomT]

Because the holder self-centers the knife body and neither blade is exactly centered in the knife body.

 

[000Robert]

Because the holder self-centers the knife body and neither blade is exactly centered in the knife body.

If you have a digital angle cube, then as long as the blade is true vertical then it shouldn't matter much. Just set each side where you need them. I didn't notice any problems with my slip joints.