Struggling to keep knife flat on the stone

[Rossy66]

I am having some issues keeping the knife flat on the stone as I pull it from left to right on the USB. I don't seem to be able to feel the stone through the knife so I wobble a bit and put facets on the edge. I am not pressing down hard and have watched a lot of videos on the technique but still I seem to wobble while pulling the knife across the USB. Is there any kind of technique that I should be developing as this is getting a little old.

[WimSpi]

I recognize that. What I do is spread my fingers across the entire length of the blade so that the same pressure is applied across the whole knife. This prevents too much pressure being applied to a specific part of the knife and ensures that it remains more evenly positioned on the stone.

[Rossy]

Thanks, I have seen others do that in videos so  will give it a try.

[John_B]

You may also want to try using less pressure when sharpening and honing. A more delicate touch is also a good skill if you ever move to the diamond wheels.

[RickKrung]

You may also want to try using less pressure when sharpening and honing. A more delicate touch is also a good skill if you ever move to the diamond wheels.

I agree strongly with this ^^^^ ... and watching closely the little hump of water pushed up as the blade contacts the stone (edge-leading), which should be as uniform as possible all the way across. 

[Rossy]

I have noticed the "water bump" when i feel I have the blade flat on the stone. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Sir Amwell]

Also check that you have the knife correctly aligned in the jig so that you are not fighting' against the jig stop on the USB. The tracking on the stop can throw off your even pressure along the length of the knife if not correctly aligned.

[Rossy]

Also check that you have the knife correctly aligned in the jig so that you are not fighting' against the jig stop on the USB. The tracking on the stop can throw off your even pressure along the length of the knife if not correctly aligned.

Thanks', I have watched many videos on clamping knives and still a little confused on the correct angle to clamp. Any guidelines I can use to guarantee an accurate clamp for various knives?