Sharpening Angles (204)

[bmcmahon]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, but have been an avid Spyder user for years- from a Delica SS EDC to a little ladybug that has traveled up First Ascents in the Himalya's with me. My 204 has always done a great job of keeping these guys sharp.

Anyway, I recently bought a BM Auto-Stryker 9100 SBT. It's not a cheap knife, and I'm worried about screwing up the blade angle by sharpening it on the 204. Does anyone have any input? How' bout for other brand knives with a different blade angle that are used EDC and sharpened frequently?

[JD Spydo]

When I sharpen a really valuable or sentimentally cherished knife ( such as my Titanium Bob Lum tanto) I make provision to protect the blade. One way I do it is to take and put 3M clear scotch tape on the big part of the blade only exposing the last 3/16ths. of the edge. Then I clamp down the 204 to the table so I can use both hands and hold the blade more ridgid while I an honing the edge on the 204 stones. I highly recommend that you get the "ultra fine" and the diamond stones for the kit if you don't already have them. That 204 is the very best kit for travel, everyday use and it is an easy tool to control when you are sharpening knives of the quality that you described. Also watch the video if you haven't already. Good Luck :) :spyder: :cool:

[JD Spydo]

As far as what angle to use when putting the final edge on any knife ( with the exception of a Gurkha or a machete) do it on the 40 degree setting. I have not had anything but good luck using the 40 degree and using the ultra fine stone on the last step. Like I said in the last reply it is good to clamp down the 204 unit so you can use both hands in the sharpening process. Don't get in any hurry either. :) :spyder: :)

[bmcmahon]

Thanks for the responses. Good advice on the clamping. More specifically, though, I'm wondering whether the 40 degree edge on the 204 works well with knives that have a defferent edge angle. Maybe it's necessary to hold the blade slightly off perpendicular to the ground, or to retool the edge to match the spyderco angle?

[vampyrewolf]

My BM921s is ground to 30deg, but thats partly my doing... Freehand on the 500/800 stone and then cleaned up with the 204 mediums.

Any knife can have the edge sharpened to match the 204 settings, just makes future touchups quicker and easier.

If you have the control and time to hold your knife at an angle other than the preset 30 and 40 inclusive, it can be done. I sharpened my first calypso jr lt to about 20 inclusive and my ss 'fly is currently at around 12deg inclusive(or whatever the blade grind is).

I personally prefer to sharpen freehand, which allows infinite edge angles and pressure.

You should also look into buying a strop. I keep mine loaded with veritas green and suspended at head height(bottom of the strop is pulled out to mid chest to use it).