Interesting sharpening pic

[Nonprophet]

I was playing with macro on my camera and wanted to see if I had a real polish on my edge. I don't have magnifying glasses so I had to try something different. Now this is the first knife I sharpened, as you can tell by the scratches on the blade, and I went back as I got better and tried to put a fully polished super sharp edge on it. I got a decent polish with a good sharp edge but it is an old buck knife and not really good steel so I got a decent sharp blade. Anyway, I took this pic and noticed when I opened it and zoomed in that you can actually see the flash illuminating the micro bevel! Other than that's pretty cool, I didn't really have any other point.... :D


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[ChrisM]

Scratches? Pshhhh, that's stonewashed :D
what did you use to sharpen with?

[Nonprophet]

I think the process on this blade was DMT course stone to get some nicks out of the blade then Spyderco Medium, Fine and Ultra fine bench stones at 20 degrees per side with a 22 degree micro bevel. I had some trouble at first banging the blade on the stone with the course DMT and you can see how that worked out, fortunately I didn't do it too many times. I haven't worked up the nerve to try and sharpen my Aqua Salt yet cause I think I may need a little more practice!

[merthyrmafia]

Here's my Paramilitary on my Lansky sharpening system, after I finish with it, I will have it sharper than the day it left the factory gauranteed.

[wongKI]

The clamp on the Lansky is different from mine...odd.

[Donut]

I would be pretty surprised if a Lansky alone will get it sharper than factory sharp.

[merthyrmafia]

I would be pretty surprised if a Lansky alone will get it sharper than factory sharp.

I fully understand why you would think that, but I will assure you that it's true even the smoothness of the edge is better, I keep my knives fairly sharp, so when I touch them up it's basically the Lansky 600 grit stone and a little strop and it will dry shave my arm like it was cutting through butter, all the same thanks for your imput. :) also I fprgot to mention it's really important to get your blade centred that's why I have a small piece of paper wedged in the one corner of the blade both sides because the Spyderco blade is beveled towards the tip, get the balance equal both sides of the Lansky clamp and you wont go wrong

Jamie

[Evil D]

I would be pretty surprised if a Lansky alone will get it sharper than factory sharp.

I beg to differ

But i will say, not all factory edges come as sharp as others.

Oh and as for the pic, looks like you have some micro chipping going on. You should run your finger nail down the edge and see if you can feel those, and if you can keep that in mind as you're sharpening and try to work them out.

[Nonprophet]

Good eye D! The knife you are seeing is an old pocket folder I've been carrying for 18 years or better. Since I'm not quite that old, it means I was a teenager when I got it and it has been used to cut some pretty heinous things in its life. GIven that and the fact that I'm sure it's not made of the best steel in the world and I'm surprised the knife is still useable. Since I use it for that type of stuff still, I don't worry so much about taking the time to remove such chips. Once I get better with the stones I'll probably make that a goal to see if I can use the course or extra course DMT to take all the nicks out and put a good even edge on it again!

[merthyrmafia]

Good eye D! The knife you are seeing is an old pocket folder I've been carrying for 18 years or better. Since I'm not quite that old, it means I was a teenager when I got it and it has been used to cut some pretty heinous things in its life. GIven that and the fact that I'm sure it's not made of the best steel in the world and I'm surprised the knife is still useable. Since I use it for that type of stuff still, I don't worry so much about taking the time to remove such chips. Once I get better with the stones I'll probably make that a goal to see if I can use the course or extra course DMT to take all the nicks out and put a good even edge on it again!

Well Evil D, I own several Spyderco knives and I will say my own Paramilitary is by far the sharpest knife I own, also I will in the next few days post a picture of my paramilitary blade macro shot compared to a brand new spyderco blade, you can be the judge? i'm very confident which one is the sharpest and smoothest are you.

[Evil D]

Awesome can't wait to see pics. I'm dying to get a jeweler's loupe.

[merthyrmafia]

As promised for Evil D, I own both these knives and many other Spyderco knives, all new in the box, the only difference being the Delica G10 with VG10 blade is new out of the box, and my Paramilitary is my EDC carried everyday and sharpened regular, I have to say the Paramilitary is without doubt the sharpest of the two. but here's two photo's to let you decide. But I gaurantee that if you put them both through a cutting test my own sharpness would come out on top and if i'm honest I could have worked that edge a little more with the 1000 grit stone and took it to another level, but there was no need, also I would like to add this is nothing against the factory sharpness of Spyderco knives, because as far as i'm concerned they are hair popping sharp, what I am trying to get across is mine are sharper.

[Evil D]

Yeah i'd say it looks pretty **** sharp. I know what you mean about no need to go a certain distance with sharpening...once it's sharp enough to push cut phone book paper, anything beyond that is for bragging unless you're shaving your face with it. The first time you cut something substantial with an edge that sharp you're gonna lose that insane level of sharpness anyways.

[merthyrmafia]

Yeah i'd say it looks pretty **** sharp. I know what you mean about no need to go a certain distance with sharpening...once it's sharp enough to push cut phone book paper, anything beyond that is for bragging unless you're shaving your face with it. The first time you cut something substantial with an edge that sharp you're gonna lose that insane level of sharpness anyways.

You are absolutely right there's only a certain level of sharpness that's needed for a pocket knife, and once you cut a few things that really fine edge you put on you lose it so it's not possible to have a useable knife hair popping sharp, because it wont last. anyway thanks for the interest shown.

Jamie.

[Evil D]

Honestly the only reason i even bother to get them that sharp is for the satisfaction of knowing that when i go to use that knife it's going to perform at its very best for whatever i'm doing....that and i sometimes get bored sitting here and like to whittle paper

[marknett]

scary sharp bragging rights ... just knowing you can ... just for the fun of sharpening...
cause it looks cool .. All perfectly justified reasons to me :D

[Donut]

Lansky 600 grit stone and a little strop

That explains a lot, but you directly from 600 to strop? The Spyderco medium stones are 600 grit and no one would ever suggest going from it to the strop. Now, I understand that different types of stones make the grits very different.

Also, are you saying that Spyderco's from the factory do not cut hair?

Evil D, you are completely right about the difference in sharpness. :)

[Donut]

I'm not saying that it is easy to take a macro picture of an edge, but:

Why does your Stock Spyderco picture have the microbevel in shadow?

[merthyrmafia]

That explains a lot, but you directly from 600 to strop? The Spyderco medium stones are 600 grit and no one would ever suggest going from it to the strop. Now, I understand that different types of stones make the grits very different.

Also, are you saying that Spyderco's from the factory do not cut hair?

Evil D, you are completely right about the difference in sharpness. :)

If you read all of my post I say that the Spyderco out of the box is hair popping sharp, and more than good enough for a useable everyday knife, but what i'm also saying is my level of sharpness is of a higher level, also I do not go from a 600 grit stone to a strop I go to a 1000 grit stone, not a strop.

Jamie