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Uneven edge while using a belt sharpener? (fedia.io)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hey, was wondering if anybody might have any tips for me! I've been using a Worksharp Knife & Tool Sharpener MK2, and have this weird issue where my knives are coming out sharper on one side than the other.

I know that shouldn't really make any sense, but I've got a knife right now that I have no problem shaving hairs off my arm with, but only with one side. If I flip it over, no matter what angle I approach with, I can't knock away a single hair. The bevel is also significantly wider on one side, which I also can't figure out how to correct but I'm sure is related.

I can't tell if this has anything to do with the fact that the belt rubs against the steel in different directions when sharpening each side (up and into the blade on the left side, down and away from the blade on the right), or if perhaps this might be an error in technique on my part. As far as I can tell, I'm keeping the blade in line with the guides properly and not deviating significantly.

For what it's worth, I'm working with a hawkbill blade. Meaning that I have to lower the knife as I draw it through the sharpener, to keep contact with the belt. I know this allows for a lot of room for error; I've been making an effort to ensure that I'm keeping the alignment correct the whole time, but it's wholly possible that this may be where I'm messing something up.

Any ideas if I might be doing something wrong or something I could try to get a more even edge on both sides?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The blade should always be oriented so the belt is moving in the spine-to-edge direction. Using it in the other direction (into the blade) will grind away the metal faster and less evenly, It sounds like that is what's happening.

It's also worth noting that any kind of inward curve is difficult to sharpen evenly on a belt (or any other wide sharpening surface). You may get better results if you try to work along the edges of the belt instead of the center. For hawkbills and recurves I generally use a narrow sharpener, like an edge of the triangular Spyderco Sharpmaker rods. It takes longer than using a belt, but it produces a very clean bevel and edge.

Best of luck!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

The blade should always be oriented so the belt is moving in the spine-to-edge direction. Using it in the other direction (into the blade) will grind away the metal faster and less evenly, It sounds like that is what's happening.

This was my thinking, as well! It always struck me as odd when the instructions and their YouTube videos have them pull both sides in the same direction, because I feel like there's no way that it should be producing an even edge. I would assume that grinding in from one side and out on the other would result in a naturally rolled edge somehow, but it otherwise seems to sharpen as I'd expect, so maybe there's some other physics at play that I'm not understanding.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to try reversing the direction I pull the blade through so that I get the same grind direction, as the motor blocks me from pulling the knife through the back side (though I could probably do that if I was working with a straighter edge shape).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Unfortunately, I’m not able to try reversing the direction I pull the blade through so that I get the same grind direction, as the motor blocks me from pulling the knife through the back side (though I could probably do that if I was working with a straighter edge shape).

If you were sharpening on a whet stone, you could sharpen by pushing or by pulling (or both!). I don't think the direction of the belt is the issue here. I think you probably have a bur and need to strop but I also think that this is just part of the learning curve. Make sure you're not rushing one side vs another because it might feel different. Keep the belt speed low, and make sure you're progressing through the different belts on both sides with the same amount of time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

I suggest you try some other kind of sharpener. One of the inexpensive pocket sharpeners with crossed abrasive rods would work. Just make sure you get one with diamond and ceramic, not carbide. This is my favorite of those: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AU6CM2I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1