Sharpening Jig for KMG or similar grinder

I

iticam92

Joined
Jun 12, 2014
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So I'm pretty new to knife making. I have been making knives for maybe a year and one challenge I continue to face is putting a nice clean edge on my blades. I've used the Ken Onion Worksharp, and the Lansky 4 stone diamond grit sharpener but they don't give me the best results. I'm also putting edges on pretty thick metal so both of those take a lot of time. I've seen some really cool jigs that attach to belt grinders and I'm looking for a simple cheap way to make one of those. Ray Ennis from Entrek uses one that I like a lot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkkWz73Yro seen here. What he has looks like it takes a milling machine or welder, both of which I don't have. Any other ideas would be appreciated!
 
There is no tool on the market that will allow you to produce consistent controlled angle edges on any knife blade. Any sharpening angle can be used. There are many knife makers that purchase one of these just for sharpening.
Shoot me a PM or e-mail if you have questions.

Fred

[video]https://youtu.be/lCBUa4CAE4c[/video]

[video]https://youtu.be/iFzVjH8DXYo[/video]
 
Thanks for the response Fred! I've seen the bubble jigs and they're really cool for both beveling and sharpening, but I'm looking for something that I can fix to my grinder. If you look at the video that I posted it gives a good idea of what I'm looking for. I wouldn't call it a tool as much as a jig/mechanism for setting an angle. I'm hoping that someone has done this and can show me pictures of their jig so I can get a more exact idea of how to do it.
 
That's a pretty slick little jig. I would like some info on it too.

This might get more attention over in shop talk, maybe the admins will move it.
 
If you can weld a little and use a tap you can make the same thing. If not, send ray an email and he might be able to help you out. He is one of the nicest guys I know.
 
This isn't necessarily a fixture or something you fix to your grinder, but I think it looks like a great way to sharpen a knife, as long as if have a vfd so ya don't overheat the edge (I don't). All you have to do is tilt the platen to the angle you want your edge to be at, which is easily adjustable per blade geometry, you can even use and angle cube or the like to get the exact degrees per side that you want. Simple, cheap, effective... :thumbup: This is Jesse Jarosz' vid btw. Since most people sharpen their knives after their handles are attached, you can probably just clamp the spine of the blade to the peice of angle and have the handle overhang t the side, and use it as a handle to guide the blade. Just a thought. :)

[video=youtube;eDHxENG9AAQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDHxENG9AAQ[/video]

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been quite a while since I've posted any new vids)
 
coldsteelburns said:
This isn't necessarily a fixture or something you fix to your grinder, but I think it looks like a great way to sharpen a knife, as long as if have a vfd so ya don't overheat the edge (I don't). All you have to do is tilt the platen to the angle you want your edge to be at, which is easily adjustable per blade geometry, you can even use and angle cube or the like to get the exact degrees per side that you want. Simple, cheap, effective... :thumbup: This is Jesse Jarosz' vid btw. Since most people sharpen their knives after their handles are attached, you can probably just clamp the spine of the blade to the peice of angle and have the handle overhang t the side, and use it as a handle to guide the blade. Just a thought. :)

[video=youtube;eDHxENG9AAQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDHxENG9AAQ[/video]

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been quite a while since I've posted any new vids)
Click to expand...

This is the method I use, only I use two pieces of angle iron. I sandwich the blade in between and that way I can just turn it around and do the other side without removing it from the jig. I also have one of the pieces of angle iron welded to a flat piece of steel in the base. This makes for a solid/level base. I set the bevel angle with a angle finder and then go to it. It works great.

I would recommend not using worn out belts(like the guy in the video). I would also use the slowest speed possible and hardly any pressure. The very apex of the edge heats up super quick and it'll ruin the temper. You'll hear makers say "I've been doing it(using high speed) for years and never had a complaint." That's all good and fine, but doesn't mean the apex of the edge doesn't have a ruined temper. I'd just as soon not chance it after spending hours on a knife.
 
clivehamilton77 said:
Hey Paul,

You happen to know roundabout what angle the platen should or is set at for Jesse's method?
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm not sure what angle Jesse set his platen at in that vid, but just as with any knife sharpening, depending on the blade's geometry and it's inteded use you can go anywhere from 10 dps (degrees per side) or less for something like a thin kitchen knife, all the way up to 25 dps for a large, thick chopper etc. 15-20 dps (and everything inbetween) are the most commonly used angles, which would give an inclusive edge angle of either 30-40 degrees. Just make sure the work rest is square to the platen first and then use an angle finder to adjust it's angle to what you want it to be. Hope that helps :)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been quite a while since I've posted any new vids)
 
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I do something similar to Jesse Jarosz, in that I angle my flat platen and use a work rest and some kind of a block (123 block or angle iron, thick micarta, etc...) to hold the blade square while I make my passes.

If you wanted to make the Entrek knives jig, I suppose you could do it without a welder or mill. You'd just need some taps and dies to sandwich/screw some pieces of plate together, and then tap the back for the guide rod. Then it'd be a matter of making a guide rest to attach to your belt grinder somehow.
 
knife to a gunfight said:
I do something similar to Jesse Jarosz, in that I angle my flat platen and use a work rest and some kind of a block (123 block or angle iron, thick micarta, etc...) to hold the blade square while I make my passes.

If you wanted to make the Entrek knives jig, I suppose you could do it without a welder or mill. You'd just need some taps and dies to sandwich/screw some pieces of plate together, and then tap the back for the guide rod. Then it'd be a matter of making a guide rest to attach to your belt grinder somehow.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing with the 123 block. Then an angle cube to set the bevel. EDC knives are around 15-16 degrees, choppers 20 degrees, scandi's 10.

You might even be able to get it done without threading. You could use allthread and use washers and nuts on either side of the plate. Wouldn't be as cleen looking, but it would work I think. I made a whole adjustable workrest with allthread and it works well.
 
I have an angle cube as well. Some of the best money I've ever spent! Just zero it on the work rest, and mag it to back of the platen to set the angle. Much better than the plastic protractor/inclinometer I was using.

JG Custom Metal Works said:
I do the same thing with the 123 block. Then an angle cube to set the bevel. EDC knives are around 15-16 degrees, choppers 20 degrees, scandi's 10.

You might even be able to get it done without threading. You could use allthread and use washers and nuts on either side of the plate. Wouldn't be as cleen looking, but it would work I think. I made a whole adjustable workrest with allthread and it works well.
Click to expand...
 
clivehamilton77 said:
Sorry to hijack, But what exactly do y'all mean by angle cube?
Click to expand...

It's essentially a digital level, or angle finder, usually in the shape of a small square, with magnets on one or two sides for sticking to a steel work rest, platen, table, or what have you.

Do a google search for digital angle cube and you should get several results.
 
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