Recent posts

#11

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Ken S - June 04, 2026, 06:39:45 PM

I learned a new word, "hysteresis". I have known about the effect of "thread slop" on adjusting screws for many years. I first encountered this with the depth adjusting screw of bench planes. For accurate measurement, the final step should be a slight tightening of the screw to leave some load on the threads. This situation occurs even with the adjustment wheels of high quality machinery such as metal lathes. Experienced machinists make this adjustment automatically.

The Tormek online classes mention this in passing, although they have never explained why this happens. The compensation necessity is not caused by the KS-123. It is caused by the threads of the microadjust. It is not a design defect with the microadjust; it is just the nature of the beast with adjustment screws. And, on a practical basis, it is not really a problem with Tormek sharpening, especially with good technique. Use the microadjust by lowering only for rough adjusting. Make the final, more precise adjustment only by raising it.

Ken

#12

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by tgbto - June 04, 2026, 08:21:26 AM

the KS-123 has significant hysteresis

I have not noticed any.

Do you mean that says, one 8th of a turn on the MicroAdjust always results in the plastic needle moving on the KS-123 ? On mine, even after some lubrication, if I move the USB down, then up, I can change the angle by almost 3/4th of a degree before the needle starts moving up again. And I can move the needle up and down by hand, the flexibility and friction will let it stay wherever I put it within one degree.

#13

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by John Hancock Sr - June 04, 2026, 03:50:46 AM

the KS-123 has significant hysteresis

I have not noticed any.

#14

General Tormek Questions / Re: Leakey Tormek

Last post by John_B - June 03, 2026, 11:17:08 PM

In addition I found that the newer machines with an adjustable troth tend to overflow easily if you set it closer to the wheel than needed. Follow Ken's advice and after saturation just a little water is needed.

#15

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Dutchman - June 03, 2026, 11:29:01 AM

Wow, that's a tad judgmental. There are very good apps out there, and the KS-123 has significant hysteresis. Surely there is room for people who already own vernier calipers and are fine with using apps/spreadsheets ? Why the condescension ?

That is not condescension, but admiration for all the work that went into it. However, I thought I had developed a simple method, but it grew into a competition for the most sophisticated spreadsheet. An exception was the app by cbwx34, simple and accurate.

#16

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Rossy66 - June 02, 2026, 04:26:47 PM

Thanks everyone, I think I will start using 15° as my base going forward. The KS 123 does make it easy to set this angle and since I attend a farmers market every Saturday, I can get quite busy and looking up specific manufacturers recommended angle takes time, this will help.

#17

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by tgbto - June 02, 2026, 11:00:17 AM

[...] the KS-123, which has halted the growth of computer programs and all communication about it.

What a relief, more focus on the real work.

Wow, that's a tad judgmental. There are very good apps out there, and the KS-123 has significant hysteresis. Surely there is room for people who already own vernier calipers and are fine with using apps/spreadsheets ? Why the condescension ?

#18

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Dutchman - June 02, 2026, 10:44:14 AM

...
As an update, with the advent of the KS-123, I no longer use the kenjig. In my opinion, the kenjig was a sound idea. I feel the same way about the various apps. I just believe that the KS-123 is an improvement, whether we choose to vary angles or stick with our "go to" standards.
...

I completely agree with you, Ken. The "simple method" with the Cosine Formula has now been replaced by the KS-123, which has halted the growth of computer programs and all communication about it.

What a relief, more focus on the real work.

#19

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by tgbto - June 02, 2026, 10:37:09 AM

While I have occasionally experimented with 12°, based on Wootz' recommendation, 15° has remained my go to setting.

Same here. 12 dps is for a very specific subset of knives : suisin inox honyaki series knives whose steel is quite robust, or some of my high hardness knives. The problem with 12dps in my opinion is that although edge retention is usually better, the apex is prone to chipping. So it's only for knives that are going to be handled carefully.

As chipping is much less of an issue at 15dps, I feel this is the good compromise with good edge retention.

As a side note, when one is not concerned with initial efficiency, I find that a 10dps primary bevel with a 15dps secondary bevel works wonders as it allows for very quick touchups afterwards.

#20

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Ken S - June 02, 2026, 03:21:30 AM

When I was developing the kenjig, I wanted to standardize on a single bevel angle. The kenjig was designed primarily for sharpening everyday kitchen knives. I asked Stig to suggest an angle. He suggested 15° (degrees per side). While I have occasionally experimented with 12°, based on Wootz' recommendation, 15° has remained my go to setting.

As an update, with the advent of the KS-123, I no longer use the kenjig. In my opinion, the kenjig was a sound idea. I feel the same way about the various apps. I just believe that the KS-123 is an improvement, whether we choose to vary angles or stick with our "go to" standards.

Ken