Bevel Angle Problems

Welcome to the Wicked Edge Forum Reid,  Using the Wicked Edge Systems isn’t too difficult, but it is not easy, either.  Half the battle is clamping a knife for the first time.  There are so many different kinds, styles, sizes and shaped knives that it can be a real challenge at times to clamp some of these knives.  It will become easier and more intuitive once you gain some sharpening experience.  Even for the most seasoned, experienced sharpener, there are always new knives we’ve never seen or had sharpening experience with, that can be very trying to get them clamped in a workable sharpening position.  So realize your not alone.

Adapters are sometimes absolutely necessary to be able to sharpen some knives.  The Low Angle Adapter, (LAA), is one choice.  This Tormek Small knife Adapter is another helpful device many of us use.  Sometimes both are used in conjunction.

Some creative and innovative Wicked Edge users make their own custom modifications like this one.

I have several different model Wicked Edge Systems.  One of these I have a riser block to elevate the vice by increasing the space between it and the base mount.  This allows me to set lower sharpening angles without my stones contacting the jaws.  I’m sure Josh has his own modifications and adapters he uses, along with many years of sharpening experience on a tremendous variety of knives.

There are many work-arounds, most come with experience and creativity.  One thing I’ll point out to you is that you don’t have to clamp your knife so it is resting down on or against the depth key pins.  Sometimes I clamp a knife just barely by the spine.  All that matters is to have a secure grasp of the steel so it stays immovable while sharpening.

No apologies are needed for asking questions.  Keep doing what your doing and read, read, read through the Forum.  There are years worth of experience to glean from old posts.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Reid

Reid, maybe the knife isn’t ground symmetrically from the maker.  It may not have been made the same from side to side.   Or possibly you didn’t apply the tape evenly from side to side to allow for it to clamp symmetrically.  It’s hard to say.

Sometimes you can swap the knife around and clamp it tip towards you for a better clamping outcome.

Sometimes you have to clamp the knife offset to the front or tip, or offset towards the heel or handle and sharpen it in stages.  Do only the part you can access then move the knife and do the other part later.  Then blend the two portions together at the end.

“when we’re given lemons… make lemonade”.  Not all work-arounds are easy.  It’s not really as big a pain as you think.  The portions blend nicely when you have you’re technique down.

You might also message Josh and see if he has any pointers. He’s a busy man, but I have seen him be very generous in sharing details on his sharpening jobs. I would be pretty surprised if he didn’t put symmetrical bevels on a blade unless you specifically asked for it to be that way.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Reid, Marc H