WSKT-KO Edition angles question

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wvdavidr

Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
370
Hello all,
Does anybody know if the angles on the Work Sharp Ken Onion are even when using the angle guides? I think I may have seen comments somewhere that said they were off by a few degrees or more, but am not sure of the source or accuracy.
Thanks,
Dave
 
If they are off by a FEW ( 3*) degrees, and it is consistent, and your knife is sharp when done, then what is the actual damage or problem you perceive? It is a knife you are using as a tool to cut something with, so a FEW degrees should not matter realistically should it? Sometimes we try to over-think what we need in our quest for a sharp cutting tool. (our pocket knives)

Blessings,

Omar
 
I can't speak to others comments, they are by definition the opinion of one individual. I will say that of the knives I have used the guides for, I got a very consistent angle as confirmed by an angle cube. As to Omar's post, I think he is right on BTW.
 
wvdavidr said:
Hello all,
Does anybody know if the angles on the Work Sharp Ken Onion are even when using the angle guides? I think I may have seen comments somewhere that said they were off by a few degrees or more, but am not sure of the source or accuracy.
Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...

Checked mine, they're within a degree of each other. :thumbup:
 
This got me thinking. It's been said that the WSKO results in convex bevels, but when you can measure the angels so precise, I guess they can't be that convex?
 
Haffner said:
This got me thinking. It's been said that the WSKO results in convex bevels, but when you can measure the angels so precise, I guess they can't be that convex?
Click to expand...

The angle guides present the edge of the blade at a certain angle in relation to the belt, but when the edge contacts the belt at whatever angle the resulting bevel won't be exactly that angle, as the belt is going to curve slightly upon contact, resulting in a slight convexity. I don't think the difference is going to be more than a couple degrees at most, given the light touch you use (or should be using) with these machines. You're right that you don't have an angle between two flat surfaces on a convex edge, but you can measure a flat angle between the belt and the guides. I think this is what people are referring to. :thumbup:
 
Certainly, the convexity depends on how much you press the bevel into the belt.
Measuring the angle with a goniometer will give a more precise indication of what is going on.
Has anyone done this?
 
Haffner said:
Certainly, the convexity depends on how much you press the bevel into the belt.
Measuring the angle with a goniometer will give a more precise indication of what is going on.
Has anyone done this?
Click to expand...

Say what?? What is a gonadometer? Not sure I really want to know!:eek::D

(By the way you are right about the amount of pressure used)

Blessings,
Omar
 
Haffner said:
This got me thinking. It's been said that the WSKO results in convex bevels, but when you can measure the angels so precise, I guess they can't be that convex?
Click to expand...

This is true. There is an "Edge Guide" in front of the angle guide that helps control the pressure into the belt.

The measurement I took was on a thin piece of metal sticking out above the clamp... just measuring the angle between that and the straight line of an "unloaded" belt (no convex). Unequal pressure could affect the actual angles, although with the guides in place, there's not much room for variation.
 
I think the edge guide is good reference to what the blade used to be before you sharpen it with the WorkSharp. Once you convex the blade, you have now created a totally different knife, than you had when it was a bevel edge.

Because of the Convex edge, you get a passing grade, on what might be a bad sharpening experience otherwise. In a convex, there is no one true angle. Not really. It goes from one to another, sweeping in a curve, tying them together.

In the WorkSharp, you get what must be the most basic angle jig on any sharpener. Almost dime store esk (dollar store these days) Not much money goes into the jig (ken onion edition is my experience)

However, because you are dealing with a convex edge, and multiple strokes, you end up with an edge that is good, because of the law of averages. That law would be a nightmare on a straight bevel edge.
 
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