zt0561 frustration, uneven bevel angle?

K

kershawTEX

Joined
Aug 8, 2012
Messages
84
Hello, I have had my zt0561 for almost 4 months now and use it quite alot at work and as my go to knife. I have been trying to sharpen it with a spyderco sharpmaker, and have had mixed results. I also use it with my PM2, and have had awesome results. I use the 40 degree setting on my ZT, and after much frustration finally tried the sharpie trick. I quickly realized that the right bevel was hitting the rod perfect, but the left side was hitting way above the bevel on the shoulder. I can put an edge on it by sort of copensating for the diffence, but it is a hassle and really slows things down. Should I just send this in for repair, I am becomming fed up, and do not have the tools currenty to reprofile the blade. Any suggestions? Thank you!
 
You can reprofile with the sharpmaker, albeit it will be time consuming. I don't think you can send for "repair" for this, I would just try to find a good sharpener to pay to do it for you.
 
Yes.

You can speed up this process by wrap high quality 60 or 80 grit AluminumOxide sand paper around the rod - use the flat part of the rod. Once close-to-burr or burred, use 120 > 220 > 400 grit.
 
I don't think I would recommend 60 or 80 grit for a beginner, I don't even find the need for grits that low. 220 grit sandpaper will do fine and not scratch the hell out of the edge.

Op, the factory does not use a sharpmaker or angle guides so no point in sending it back.
 
I attempted to reprofile my 0561 today.... Very difficult with diamond file on my leatherman, one benchstone and assorted strops. Took several hours and the right side of the edge is scratched bad. May be able to buff it out when I head home from school next.
 
Elmax is a tough steel, but it can be done. Does help to have the right tools though.
 
knifenut1013 said:
I don't think I would recommend 60 or 80 grit for a beginner, I don't even find the need for grits that low. 220 grit sandpaper will do fine and not scratch the hell out of the edge.

Op, the factory does not use a sharpmaker or angle guides so no point in sending it back.
Click to expand...

You're right Jason. Look like the knife has hollow grind, so there isn't much metal to grind. Also it's better to start with fine and only go more coarse if needed. I use 60 grit w/d sand paper very often for knives thinning and set initial bevel after ht. :o it's easy to forget others might not ready for deep bevel scratches and possibly scratches on shoulder & blade.
 
Yeah, its easy to forget that the methods some of us employ can be a little advanced for others.

The ZT is FFG BTW.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone, I may try wrapping the rod with some 260 grit that I have and see what I can do. I was also wondering how a 30 inclusive angle would perform on the zt 0560, might have someone on here reprofile it for me. What does the the ZT is FFG mean?
 
My 2c, get a pink eraser or similar and clean off the sandpaper often as you go. It will load up with swarf (removed steel dust) and clog the sandpaper, slowing it to a shadow of what clean sandpaper can do in the same amount of time. At the contact points it will turn dusty grey and then start to get shiny - stop and clean at that point. Don't stay with it if cleaning fails to restore good grinding, move to a new stretch of sandpaper.
 
Situations like this are where the Edge-Pro really shines.

Perfect bevels, (yes, truly perfect) side to side and heel to toe, and straight razor sharp.
 
The 0560(1) has a thick blade. I reprofiled mine to 30 degrees inclusive, and it took a long time, even with diamond stones. The bevel ended up being almost 1/8 of an inch wide at the belly (I used the Wicked Edge set up to give a more acute belly edge) and a little less than that on the flat.

You could have someone experienced profile your blade to 30 degrees, and then use the 40-degree setting on your Sharpmaker to easily maintain a sharp edge.
 
kershawTEX said:
Thanks for the advice everyone, I may try wrapping the rod with some 260 grit that I have and see what I can do. I was also wondering how a 30 inclusive angle would perform on the zt 0560, might have someone on here reprofile it for me. What does the the ZT is FFG mean?
Click to expand...

FFG= full flat ground
 
Twindog said:
The 0560(1) has a thick blade. I reprofiled mine to 30 degrees inclusive, and it took a long time, even with diamond stones. The bevel ended up being almost 1/8 of an inch wide at the belly (I used the Wicked Edge set up to give a more acute belly edge) and a little less than that on the flat.

You could have someone experienced profile your blade to 30 degrees, and then use the 40-degree setting on your Sharpmaker to easily maintain a sharp edge.
Click to expand...


I had no trouble at all re-bevelling my 0560 Elmax blade to 15 DPS with the 2X6 DMT plates on the Edge=Pro.
 
Did some polishing with 3M micron lapping cloth, got the edge hairsplitting sharp and polished up nicely. Blade has some scratches but they will clean up nice at home. All in all, a lot of work even with aggressive abrasives and diamonds. Worth it though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top