Thread: Missing something...

So I have been sharpening blades for years, I can get an edge on a knife that shaves, no problem. Hell, I have even sharpened an axe to be able to shave, just to prove a point!
Now a little while ago I bought a Bengal extra hollow ground off ebay, it was old and blunt but the edge was straight. No matter how long I'm at the stone for, I just can't seem to get this thing to shave! Read lots, looked at YouTube, it's just not happening... Using a 4k/8k combination waterstone, which I seem to get a slightly better cutting edge off the 4k side, but I assume that's just more micro serrations...

Anyway, I'm not really sure what I'm asking here, except for some general advice I guess.

Cheers,
Macca

You probably need to drop to a 1K stone to reset the bevel and also use less pressure than on a knife especially on the 8K

I had just been putting in more time on the 4k to compensate for lack of 1k, for the bevel.
Last run I did on the 8k had pretty much zero pressure...

Would 1200 or 2000 grit wet'n'dry be a suitable replacement for a 1k stone? I'm weary of going to paper for such a fine edge

the 1200 should work, paper is more aggressive than a stone so less is more

Originally Posted by Macca81

Would 1200 or 2000 grit wet'n'dry be a suitable replacement for a 1k stone? I'm weary of going to paper for such a fine edge

Might give that a try later and see how things go then

When trying to set a bevel where no bevel exists it is pretty heavy restoration work for a 4K. You may fall asleep trying to get that apex perfect on a 4K. The paper will work, remember that the paper needs to be on a very solid surface like glass or polish rock tile, like granite. If you have a loupe it will help you see when the bevel is set. If not you can guess at it with an arm shave test, it however requires you to know your arm hair and a set bevel, but we have to start somewhere.

knife guy ,, youll have to learn the difference between a razor and knife,, like has been said many times before , honing is easy till it aint!,, its all in the bevel set ,after that your polishing . so go back and set it then go from there ,,, your knife edges are where we start razors , and ya I guess you could use the sandpaper,, also ,, there are a couple around here who can set bevels on 4k so you still can get there ,, once you figure out its a razor tc good luck

*! KNIFE GUY ALERT!! KNIFE GUY ALERT! *
(Just some friendly ribbing )

I'll bite the bullet and be captain obvious on this one. Because unless it's stated, we are all making assumptions. And like I tell the wife: assumptions will get you in trouble every time.

Captain Obvious says: The honing angle is different on a razor, than it is on a knife. Though it varies some, I believe the proper knife honing angle is around 20*. With a razor, the exact angle isn't measured because you lay it FLAT on the hone. Both the edge & the spine are in contact with the hone at all times. This seemingly benign detail could be easily overlooked when ya watch the vids.

Hope this helps!

I think the fact that the spine is on the hone, is the thing that is pointed out in pretty much every tutorial going
Yeah, I'm a knife guy. But, I'm not stupid