Sharpening a Street Bowie
- Tucson Tom
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Sharpening a Street Bowie
I just purchased one of these knives, and am charmed by it, but it didn't arrive all that sharp, so I just hauled out the sharpmaker.
I started with the brown stones at 30 and my sharpie to see what is going on. It is grinding away far from the edge.
So I put the stones in at the 40 degree position, and it is still grinding a tiny streak away from the edge.
So I intentionally tip the knife towards center as I make strokes and I have now found the original grind angle.
It is something like 50 degrees (25 or 30 on a side).
Well, this is a first for a Spyderco. On a knife from Golden (or Taipei) I can expect the stones at 30 to match the factory grind almost exactly.
The temptation now is to get out the diamond rods I spent good money on and get busy and reprofile this to
30 degrees. But I figured I would ask here first, just in case anybody had advice to offer. Stop me now, before I grind again!!
This is VG10 steel.
I started with the brown stones at 30 and my sharpie to see what is going on. It is grinding away far from the edge.
So I put the stones in at the 40 degree position, and it is still grinding a tiny streak away from the edge.
So I intentionally tip the knife towards center as I make strokes and I have now found the original grind angle.
It is something like 50 degrees (25 or 30 on a side).
Well, this is a first for a Spyderco. On a knife from Golden (or Taipei) I can expect the stones at 30 to match the factory grind almost exactly.
The temptation now is to get out the diamond rods I spent good money on and get busy and reprofile this to
30 degrees. But I figured I would ask here first, just in case anybody had advice to offer. Stop me now, before I grind again!!
This is VG10 steel.
Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
It's gonna take an eternity to reprofile. My Street Beat came pretty thick too. I reground it to 30 inclusive on my Edge Pro.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
My micarta Street Beat was fine when it came in years ago but my Street Bowie that I got about 1,5 year ago still hasn't gotten a really good edge and is a pain to reprofile because my wicked edge is crap at holding FFG blades so I'll probably keep at it with my Sharpmaker.
(was just thinking about it the other week that I really should finish getting a decent edge on that)
Nonetheless, these designs are still well worth the possible extra bit of work I think. :)
(was just thinking about it the other week that I really should finish getting a decent edge on that)
Nonetheless, these designs are still well worth the possible extra bit of work I think. :)
- Tucson Tom
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
I am grinding away using the diamond rods at 30 degrees. I can see the grind area creeping closer and closer to the edge. I drug out my DMT bench stone and have been using the 600 grit side free hand - then dab the edge with the sharpie and grind some on the sharpmaker to check the angle. This might be a good way to teach myself how to hold a blade freehand. Mostly though I just thought I would prefer to wear out the DMT rather than my sharpmaker rods. I may also play with some 320 grit silicon carbide "wet/dry" paper I glued onto some scrap MDF. Indeed this is taking a long time and I may be out of patience for today.
Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
30 degrees is fine. I took my bowie to about that edge angle on some DMT bench stones. No reason to have a 25 degree per edge on a knife this small IMO.
The lighting makes it look a lot more uneven than it was :p
Works a lot better for food prep with the thinner edge.
The lighting makes it look a lot more uneven than it was :p
Works a lot better for food prep with the thinner edge.
- Tucson Tom
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
Part of the reason I posted this, is because I half expected to tell me that there was a good reason for the knife being shipped with a 50+ degree inclusive grind. But nobody seems to be jumping up and saying that. Also it is odd that this is the first Spyderco that has not come frighteningly sharp out of the box. Maybe there are reasons. But we can fix all of that -- or it least adjust it to our liking.
- Doc Dan
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
Let me ask a slightly off to the side question. Does anyone know the overall length of the Street Beat inside the sheath...from the end of the handle to the end of the sheath?
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- Doc Dan
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
Thanks! I want to see if it will fit my pocket.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
If any forum members are stuck on reprofiling because it simply takes too long, drop me a note. I'll be happy to reprofile on a grinder for you at no charge except you pay postage both ways.
- Doc Dan
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
Thank you. That is what I was looking for, exactly.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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- Doc Dan
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
Is the edge that thick that it needs reprofiling? I last saw one a few years ago (Micarta) and I do not remember the edge needing to be reprofiled on it. Has there been a change on the LW?
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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Spydernation 0050
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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Re: Sharpening a Street Bowie
Based on what I've seen, the longer Street Bowie the OP mentioned comes ground a little thicker than the smaller Street Beat. Personally I reprofiled both but most people would be happy with how thin the Street Beats come.