Messages

Scotty, I'm able to sharpen all of my knives on an SG-45 "as-is" and an SG-45 with 0.5mm removed from the static side of the clamp.  I got the info from KG's website, and it's the 2nd one in their jigs with milled static clamps.  I only sharpen my knives and some friend's knives, but I've never had nor been given a knife thicker than 3.3 mm at the spine to sharpen.  The 2 with the thickest spines are a Benchmade AFO II at 3.25 mm and a Global Cleaver at 3.18 mm.  I sharpen every knife from 2.3 mm to 3.3 mm using the one modified SG-45.  Perhaps you can get a price to have one jig milled.  I spent about $10-12 bucks for a spark plug gap tool that has 32 different gap sizes; the "shims" work great for maintaining identical bevels on both sides of the blade. I also use the shims on both sides of the jig from the jig towards the knife tip when sharpening filet knives that aren't wide enough to accommodate the large jig as the thicker shims work well for keeping thin knife blades from flexing due to the pressure against the stone. 

I had a machinist/casual friend modify the above SG-45 and also make me an FVB though, while he does excellent work, he's damned proud of it! I'll call him to get the price for the jig only, and I'm also getting some quotes from another (good) friend/machinist, and I'll get a jig quote from him as well.  If you email me, I will send you the prices I receive if you would like to compare prices from a different location (I'm in New Orleans, LA USA).     

Victor - vic@vcenvironmental.com

I know I'm being redundant with most posts though I owe a big Thank You to Tormek for offering such a fine video.  Although I'm supposed to be above a "beginner", I wrote 5 notes on items I either forgot or simply didn't know about.  Scotty, neither did I!  I didn't listen to questions regarding the CBN wheels though I can safely say they work exceptionally well when used correctly.  Hell, I have received a lot of advice and equipment from both Tormek and Knife Grinders, never been dissatisfied with either, and find it very rewarding working with such exceptional professionals at both companies. 

Thanks Ken.  I've contacted him a few times before though knowing how busy he is I try to use the experts here first.  I'm surprised that no one has responded by now, perhaps only a handful of members are using them.

Greetings from an amateur starting his 2nd topic.  I recently received KG's CBN 160 and 1000 grit wheels and have only 3.5 weeks of time sharpening on them. I fully and thoroughly understand the care they require to prevent loss of embedded grit.  The exception is the definition of excessive pressure.  I use significantly less pressure on CBN wheels as I did on the SG-250 however last night after sharpening a couple of knives, I removed the water trough, emptied the water into a sink and was surprised to see a significant amount of black particles with a density sufficient to rapidly and completely settle, leaving the water very clear.  I don't remember seeing this before.   I'm already paranoid about using excessive pressure and, frankly, using one's nail beds to gauge proper pressure is a very poor measure, at least for amateurs like me.  Depending on the picture of a fingernail you review, the nail bed is located anywhere from the middle of the nail back to the nail/finger interface.  And depending on the angle of the fingers when applying pressure on the jig, the pressure to produce a color change varies widely.  My questions are:  (1) am I simply obsessing over an insignificant issue, (2) Are the presence of these particles commonly seen using CBN wheels and most likely metal removed from the knife blade, and (3) can anyone provide a better measure for gauging pressure?  I apologize for the lack of photos for review and, if needed, will provide when I can collect a sample.  I appreciate in advance any knowledge provided. 

Update:  I collected solids after sharpening another knife.  Upon closer inspection, the solids are dark gray and the water is clear except a scattered, thin-film floating on the surface.  The solids also non-magnetic.  I have a pic that may or may not help that I'll send after I figure out how to compress to less than 256KB.

Thank you for the info Rich! I am humbled by the incredible support you experts share with weekend warriors like me.

Thank You Dutchman and Jan!!  I will review in detail the substantial information you both have sent.  After I finish a customer research project today.  Regards, Victor

Hello Gentlemen:

Apologies for the long-winded post.  The first post from an amateur knife sharpener obsessed with trying to sharpen knives that'll make my hunting/fishing buddies jealous.  I finally have the right equipment including a T-8, KG 180 & 1000 grit CBN wheels (just received), KG Large Kangaroo Tail Strop, Brubacher's PT-50B, Vadim's indispensable deburring book, and phase contrast and stereo microscopes, and KG's angle software.  The microscopes I already had for my consulting work. 

I had an FVB fabricated by a local machine shop using KG's design as a template.  The only difference is the thickness of my aluminum block is 1/4" less than KG's.  I didn't purchase to save money (mine cost more) as I'm using the same shop to grind the static clamp of a few jigs for varying spine thickness and I hate the waiting for shipments from Australia.  I thought I could purchase the FVB angle software from KG but found it only comes with the purchase of an FVB.  I emailed Vadim and asked If I could purchase it from him.  His response was that "The problem is that our FVB software works only with the FVB we fabricate. It cannot be used with home-made DIY FVBs as it will not be giving an accurate angle and you will not be getting sharp edges."

My question is this:  I adjusted my FVB to compensate for the 1/4" block thickness.  Regardless, the software allows for entering the "Ad hoc" FVB rod protrusion.  Am I missing something regarding his response because I cannot see why the software wouldn't with my FVB. 

I'm only posting this question because it took Vadim, for the first time, a long time to respond and, aware of how busy that fine man is, do not want to burden him further.  Finding his website, and the resources he provides, opened the doors for me.

I appreciate everyone's assistance in helping an amateur.