If you zero the cube on the WEPS base, lay the knife blade flat on the base, you can get the grind angle by sticking the angle cube on it. Yes, it’s not perfect, but it can get you really close. So far I’m within .5 degree compared to putting it in the vice and measuring the way we all do.There has to be a flaw in my logic though, it’s too easy.
Maybe the problem is the terms in use. Laying the knife on a glat surface and using the cube as you describe would give you the primary grind angle… maybe. It would work OK with a full flat frind, not too well with a conves grind or hollow frind. The thing I am having problems with understanding here is, in the context of the WEPS, we usually are not concerned with this angle. We want to measure the secondary grind, the bevel at the edge. As the bevel is typically not very wide, I would think that it sould be difficult to hold the knife with this bevel flat on a surface. If you could, then you could measure the angle as you describe doing it. BTW When I say “flat”, I am thinking of the situation where the spine and the shoulder of the secondary bevel are in contact with the flat surface. Now,this works in full flat grinds, or when using the beginning of the primary grind in a hollow grind blade. Not sure you can even do what you are talking about with a convex grind.
Most knives, especially those from factories, combine two or three planes on each side of the blade. There is usually a flat portion near the spine of the blade. The primary grind, that reduces the thickness of the blade to form the edge may be concave, flat, or convex. There is usually a secondary bevel which is less acute and forms the edge itself.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/grind.html
This one is good too!
http://backyardbushman.com/?page_id=13
So what do you think you are measuring when the knife is “flat” on a surface? Will it tell you the angle to set when sharpening?
Phil
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