Sharpening A Head Knife?

[Tkleather1]

Hey all, I am curious what the best angle is to sharpen at for my head knives? I have been struggling with this in the past and now I have a new toy that I will try out. but now that I have a jig I would like to know what angle seems to hold up the best and stay the longest.

Thanks

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[Tkleather1]

Did all of my knife sharpeners leave the board?

[Kevin]

Since nobody else has answered,I'll give my half assed answer. I think I've read 20 degrees somewhere.

My answer is every knife is different and you've got to find what you like best. I go for the thinnest edge I can get without it getting a wire edge, sometimes even that is ok once you remove it. Thickness of the metal and hardness is what dictate the angle.

Hopefully someone else will pitch in now with a correct answer,

Kevin

[Tkleather1]

Well Thanks Kevin, I am tryin out 22 right now but it seems to be awful shallow to hold an edge. but I will see.

[dirtclod]

Unless the knife all ready have a bevel ground in the blade i just hold the knife where it's comfortable for me. No ideal what the angle is but it's generally a fairly flat angle. I go in a circlular motion to when i sharpen a head / round knife because it works best for me. It may not for you.

After i sharpen i use a strop that i made from a piece of plywood with 2 pieces of gray cardboard glued on it just like a poster on here suggested here and it works better than the leather ones i have used for years. One side has green compound and the other has white compound.I made mine about 3 inches wide and about 25 inches long with handle. That size came about because it was size of the scrap. But i do think the longer strop you have the better off you are with in reason.

Edited October 3, 2010 by dirtclod

[TwinOaks]

Marlon posted a Tutorial on this a good while back: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1669

There's also a few other pinned topics in the "tools" heading that deal with sharpening.

[gtwister09]

Tim,

Somehow this made it past me. I shoot for 20 degrees on most of my leather knives.

Here's a general guideline for you concerning sharpening angles for various instruments. Some other guidelines that are sometimes followed is that as the material gets harder that the angle decreases with 15 degrees being used only for the hardest materials because of their delicateness. There are trade-offs of durability for sharpness. That's the reason for different blade types, shapes, grinds, sharpening methods and so forth. These aren't gospel below but they will give you some rough/general guidelines. Hope that helps.

Deg -- Description/General Guidelines

30 -- For cutting cardboard, wire and carpeting

25 -- Durable sharp edge for hunting and outdoor usage

20 -- For folders, fixed blades(various types), kitchen knifes, etc

17 -- Razor blades - sharp but delicate edges

15 -- Same as 17 degrees - harder edges

Regards,

Ben

Edited October 3, 2010 by gtwister09

[Tkleather1]

thanks guys I will attempt the 19 to 20 degree range

[rccolt45]

thanks guys I will attempt the 19 to 20 degree range

Did you find a jig that sets the angle for you? I would love to now where to get one as I find maintaing a consistent angle a bear!

[Tkleather1]

I am currently using a Gatco knife sharpening system. It seems to be working really nice. I did buy the extra fine diamond stone for it however.