Problems with the delica 4

Fr12nk · #1

i just got my delica yesterday, so i wanted to test the sharpness of it, got a piece of paper and did a cut test. It didnt cut until the very end near the tip, basically its not sharp, so i started to sharpen it on the sharpmaker. But about half way down the blade it wont sharpen for me. I got the top half razor sharp, but the lower end wont get sharp, i can run my finger across and it wont cut, what is wrong, Im kinda upset cause i heard so many good things about this knife. Is it cause its vg10? do i need to push down harder? Please help!!!

mattman · #2

look up the "sharpie trick". it sounds like the factory bevel is not exactly 30°, and you aren't getting all the way to the edge yet.

remember, these are hand-sharpened at the factory.

the operation you are performing is "reprofiling", and sharpening will be much easier next time.

Blerv · #3

Mark both sides with a permanent marker and do a few strokes to make sure it's sharpening properly. Sometimes the secondary bevel isn't perfect as the knives are sharpened on a power belt.

You should be able to get it sharp pretty easy. VG10 is user friendly in such a thin edge. Goodluck!

Edit: wow it's like Matt read my mind or visa versa. :)

araneae · #4

More than likely operator error on the Sharpmaker. Being new here, we don't know what your experience level is. Try the Sharpie trick and see what's going on. What was your process on the Sharpmaker- angle? stones?

Nothing wrong with VG-10, you don't need to push hard at all. Just medium pressure will produce very good results.

mattman wrote:look up the "sharpie trick". it sounds like the factory bevel is not exactly 30°, and you aren't getting all the way to the edge yet.

remember, these are hand-sharpened at the factory.

the operation you are performing is "reprofiling", and sharpening will be much easier next time.

maa14 · #5

Blerv wrote:Mark both sides with a permanent marker and do a few strokes to make sure it's sharpening properly. Sometimes the secondary bevel isn't perfect as the knives are sharpened on a power belt.

You should be able to get it sharp pretty easy. VG10 is user friendly in such a thin edge. Goodluck!

Edit: wow it's like Matt read my mind or visa versa. :)

+1 and VG-10 Is some GREAT stuff. Once you get it sharp I am sure you will like it

angusW · #6

Are you using the 30° or 40° on the Sharpmaker? Also do you have a loupe or some kind of magnifying glass as that will really help you to see what kind of progress you are making. When I first got the Sharpmaker I was in the same boat and with reading on this forum and Bladeforum I realized my mistakes and was able to correct it. Do lose faith. Once you get your technique down you will be able to sharpen that Delica and make it very sharp.

maa14 · #7

angusW wrote:Are you using the 30° or 40° on the Sharpmaker? Also do you have a loupe or some kind of magnifying glass as that will really help you to see what kind of progress you are making. When I first got the Sharpmaker I was in the same boat and with reading on this forum and Bladeforum I realized my mistakes and was able to correct it. Do lose faith. Once you get your technique down you will be able to sharpen that Delica and make it very sharp.

you mean, don't, right??

angusW · #8

maa14 wrote:you mean, don't, right??

Stop it. I'm trying to make him lose all hope and feel despair :D

maa14 · #9

angusW wrote:Stop it. I'm trying to make him lose all hope and feel despair :D

Hehe..whatever :rolleyes: :D

dbcad · #10

I have to add this advice to the OP in addition to some of the good tips above :)

Do not try to sharpen if you're frustrated!! :eek: It's a recipe for failure. Be calm, know what you're trying to do, have the right tools to know where you are and where you need to go. Take this from a very untalented edge nut that now has very sharp edges :)

Fr12nk · #11

Thanks you guys, i somewhat got it sharp, i did the sharpie trick and saw that it wasnt touching when i ran the knife straight up and down, on 30 degrees, so i tilted the knife so it would be at a sharper angle. Then it started to sharpen, but still i cant get the bottom portion of the blade razor sharp.

Mud Shrimp Moe · #12

I had a lot of trouble getting a decent bevel on a Delica 4 as well. I finally gave up and practice on the sharpmaker with "easier" steels. Sharpen some of your cheaper knives for a while. After I mastered that, I went back to my Delica 4 and got it shaving sharp. I was so pleased!

eloreno · #13

Fr12nk wrote:Thanks you guys, i somewhat got it sharp, i did the sharpie trick and saw that it wasnt touching when i ran the knife straight up and down, on 30 degrees, so i tilted the knife so it would be at a sharper angle. Then it started to sharpen, but still i cant get the bottom portion of the blade razor sharp.

If you were to use the 40° setting, I bet you would have better results....

araneae · #14

Fr12nk wrote:Thanks you guys, i somewhat got it sharp, i did the sharpie trick and saw that it wasnt touching when i ran the knife straight up and down, on 30 degrees, so i tilted the knife so it would be at a sharper angle. Then it started to sharpen, but still i cant get the bottom portion of the blade razor sharp.

I think you need to watch the video again. Go through the process as it shows and you should have good results.