ZT 0566 and Hinderer XM-18 Spanto: Best Sharpening angles

LGMartialArts

LGMartialArts

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Aug 4, 2013
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I have a ZT 0566 and wanted to know what the best sharpening angle would be using either a WSKTS Ken Onion sharpener or the old fashioned route - using a variety of sharpening stones. Thanks in advance.
BTW, I'm also getting a Hinderer XM-18 3.5" w/Spanto blade and wondered about the best angle to sharpen it as well.
 
Depends on what you plan to cut and in the case of the Hinderer also the steel
 
I've sharpened the ZT at 22.5 degrees on the WSKTS, but think I can get it sharper using water stones. The reason I asked was because I intend to use it as an EDC (same with the Hinderer) for medium duty use. I don't intend to be cutting through electrical wires, reinforced strapping, or other super hard materials, but do want them to handle an occasional hunting/hiking trip without any problems. I want them as sharp as possible, but don't want the edges too thin as to cause them to chip/roll, hence asking for advice from people who probably know a lot more than I do about sharpening. The ZT is made from ELMAX steel, and the Hinderer S35VN.
 
Honestly, a simple 17° per side would work. 20° is more obtuse generally recommended for edge retention, while 15° is low enough to get really sharp while not being a chip fest. I sharpen everything to around a 17° convex and all my knives get really sharp and hold their edges well enough.
 
My 566 sees occasional use as an everyday "whatever" cutter. I use the 15 dps setting on my Sharpmaker for it and it seems to work well for the limited use I've given it so far. House & yard cutting and warehouse work are the things it does for me. Nothing really "outdoors" about the use I give it. I do cut zip ties and light computer cabling with it. The Elmax at 15 dps has done fine so far.
 
Did this Hinderer XM-18 from a Dutch forum member a few years ago on my Wicked Edge.
The request was to find a good balance between usefulness & esthetics; if possible to create a new edge that would cut well (with an edge angle fitting a strong tactical folder like the XM) while at the same time keeping the bevel width within limits.

The edge was first reprofiled to an even 35 degrees inclusive with diamond stones 200, 400 & 600, and then refined with SiC wet & dry paper 800, 1000, 1500 and 2000 taped to the diamond stones.
The resulting edge was then somewhat polished with 6 micron diamond paste (a tiny dab of paste on the back of wet & dry paper which was then taped to the 600 grit stones)

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I stick with the factory angles mostly, taking an edge too low usually ends up with some sort of deformation or chipping.
 
dkb45 said:
Honestly, a simple 17° per side would work. 20° is more obtuse generally recommended for edge retention, while 15° is low enough to get really sharp while not being a chip fest. I sharpen everything to around a 17° convex and all my knives get really sharp and hold their edges well enough.
Click to expand...

Kwackster, you already have a good back angle edge on that knife but you could reduce it to 15 degrees per side. Great looking edge.

I sharpen a back bevel of 15 degrees per side, primary bevel of 17 degrees per side. That is two different bevels. Yours is about what my primary bevel is. My back bevel is about three degrees sharper per side, 30 degrees inclusive. The edge holds up nicely and cuts like a dream.
 
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Gatorflash1, i know what you mean, and 30 degrees inclusive (or a combination of 30 degrees backbevel and 35 degrees primary bevel) would have made for a better cutting knife.
Problem would have been that it would also have widened the bevel noticeably, something the owner absolutely did not want.
 
I have my Hinderer Slicer at 17* per side. I have taken it to a 600 grit with my W/E, and had very good luck with it. Recently, just for giggles I took it to the finest mirror I could do. For me this is done by: 1000 grit on the W/E, followed by the 1200, then 1600 ceramic stones. I follow that with stropping the edge with 1 micron paste then finish with .5 micron paste. My edge looks very much like Kwackster's. my Hinderers are 20CV though, not S35VN. I've had great luck with the 17dps on the Slicer.

On my Spanto, again 20CV steel, I have a 20dps edge. I think the Spanto is more of a "hard use" edge, so I left it a bit more obtuse. I know, 3* per side isn't a huge difference, but it is enough to be noticeable. Both my Hinderers will "push cut" 5/8" manilla rope with the mirrored edges. At 600 they cut very well and aggressive too.

Sorry for being long winded, just giving options. :)
 
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