Zero Tolerance 0770 CF blade issue

[kjca3]

I bought a ZT 0770CF a few weeks ago and have loved it so far, it has an elmax blade which is a first with this type of steel for me.

i know it says in the manual that comes with the knife that it is sharpened between 20 and 22 degrees i think, so once the factory edge got dull i decided to go with an 18 degree angle to see if it would be that much better.

i used an edge pro starting with the 120 stone working all the way to the 6K paper and it was ridiculously sharp and would cut better than pretty much any other knife i own UNTIL i decided to see about this HARD USE claim.

i really didnt abuse it but i ended up with tiny chips or possibly the blade rolled some im not sure havent had a change to get it under magnification. i cut up some ethernet patch cables and it cut with no problem but i noticed the issue afterwards. i only have pictures from my phone with no macro but i believe you can see the issue.

i am a newbie when it comes to sharpening and using different angles so this may be my fault i am sure there is a reason there is a recommended angle i just didnt think three degrees would make the edge that weak.

 

[powernoodle]

Welcome to Bladeforums, kjca3. I too use an Edge Pro. This may have nothing to do with it, but consider that the angle is relative to the center line of the blade. In other words, it is relative to the "flats", i.e., where your ZT logo is found on the blade. If you are laying the blade flat on the Edge Pro, and then measuring your 18 degrees or 22 degrees, you are not measuring it relative to the flats. So you end up with a thinner edge (lower angle) than you think you are getting, and a thinner edge is more prone to chipping and rolling. I hope that makes sense.

Maybe this has nothing to do with your issue, but its something to cogitate on. I think it is fair to say that your edge is too thin (angle is to narrow), if you are getting chips and rolls. So you have to increase your angle which gives more support to the edge. You know that part. But just consider if you are really getting the angle that you think you are getting, for the above reason. Good luck, and rock on.

 

[kjca3]

that makes sense i laid the blade flat on the edge pro and set the arm on the green mark the way i understand it the lowest mark is supposed to be 15 degrees and move up in 3 degree increments. I did not take what you said into account but i will start back over and see what happens here goes another hour on the edge pro!

as a side note i would love to find a good re-profiling stone to replace the 120 stone that comes with the kit i have only re-profiled a few knives but i have had to flatten that stone every time i use it and i am not using a lot of pressure.