Recommendation? Best way to sharpen a karambit?

B

Bo-dacious

Joined
Aug 13, 2016
Messages
408
Hey guys. Im making this post because I'm having a hard time Sharpening a karambit on my Work Sharp Ken Onion. It's coming out semi-sharp. It can cut paper, but it tears it as it cuts.

Does anyone know a really good, preferably easy way to sharpen Karambits? Step-by-step If possible, please.

Other than that, does anyone know what I might be doing wrong on the Work Sharp? I'm dropping the handle as I pull the blade out so it is parallel with the belt. The problem may be due to the difference in pressure on the middle of the belt vs the edges due to the curvature of the blade. But I don't know how to fix this of it IS the problem. If not, what IS the problem?

Thanks guys,

Bo
 
Could the fact that the edge angle is 30 degrees cause it to not cut as well? The knives that have steep geometry like that seem to tear paper more for me.

Thanks,

Bo
 
Bo-dacious said:
Hey guys. Im making this post because I'm having a hard time Sharpening a karambit on my Work Sharp Ken Onion. It's coming out semi-sharp. It can cut paper, but it tears it as it cuts.

Does anyone know a really good, preferably easy way to sharpen Karambits? Step-by-step If possible, please.

Other than that, does anyone know what I might be doing wrong on the Work Sharp? I'm dropping the handle as I pull the blade out so it is parallel with the belt. The problem may be due to the difference in pressure on the middle of the belt vs the edges due to the curvature of the blade. But I don't know how to fix this of it IS the problem. If not, what IS the problem?

Thanks guys,

Bo
Click to expand...

I find that using spyderco sharpmaker rods is the best way to do concave edges like that. Or even cheaper you could get some wooden dowels and wrap them in sandpaper in progressively higher grits gluing it on. Then sand starting with the lowest grit you need.
 
Okay, I was thinking of getting a sharp maker already... so does the sharp maker come with the rods? Or just the triangular stones?

I'll try the sharp maker then if that doesnt work I'll try the "files". Do the files get fine enough to make it cut paper?

Thanks for the help guys,

Bo
 
Thin out the edge,most of these blades are thick behind edge,after that you can use sandpaper on wooden stick or sharpmaker,i sharpen my curved blades like that and they shave hair easily.Thin edge first on beltsander.
 
OK. Thanks guys.
Lonestar: are there any good videos you can point me to for Thinning the edge? I'm getting one of those vertical belt grinders for making handles so I'd like to learn its other uses.

Thanks again guys,

Bo
 
There is some videos on it online but dont have links and am not sure if theyre still there.Google belt sander sharpening on youtube.It is real simple but first practice on cheap knives when learning.When you thin out edge geometry sharpening will be easy and will be able to sharpen with almost anything.Most blades are too thick behind edge when new and have wrong geometries.
 
So when you say thin out the edge do you mean make the edge angle smaller or do you mean actually thin out the grind?

Thanks,

Bo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top