Knife database question

[Andrew]

Hi,

I’ve been looking at the very comprehensive knife database.

I have a question. There’s loads of good info, but I was curious in understanding
the sections marked depth and alignment.

Depth seems to be predominately Top and Bottom. What is meant by that?

Also Alignment has terms like B0, D0, C0 B5 C. What is meant by this?

[Mark76]

Top and bottom refers to the holes in the vice you put the key in when you clamp a knife. So it’s the vertical position of the knife in the clamp.

A, B, etc. are the positions on the ruler you got with your WEPS. A0 is right on a, A5 is halfway between A and B, etc. So it’s the horizontal position of the knife in the clamp.

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Andrew]

Thanks Mark,

So I take it bottom means resting against the depth key? If so what is top?

Or is it that top is the top of the hole and bottom is the bottom of the hole, which
presumably means you need the depth key out to position it to the bottom

[Mark76]

Braveheart, which version of the WEPS do you have?

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Andrew]

Hi Mark

I have the Gen II without the new vise jaw. Just the standard 2 allen key jaw.

Cheers

[Mark76]

Doesn’t your vise have four holes in it? One pair of holes at the top and one pair of holes just below. You kan insert your key in either set of holes, in the top ones or in the bottom ones. That’s where “top” and “bottom” in the knife database refer to.

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Andrew]

Hi Mark

Yes it does. Apologies for my newbie question.

That clears everything up perfectly. Thanks very much.

In light of setting the angle correctly, would there be any benefit to choosing one over the other?
If you set 20 degrees on bottom, why would it be different to setting 20 degrees on top. Would in
not still sharpen the same?

[Mr.Wizard]

The height of the blade in the clamp will affect the angle. A very tall blade like a cleaver will get a much lower angle than a narrow blade like a filet knife, with the arms set the same.

[Mark76]

What Mr. Wizard says is correct. If you put the knife in “top”, the angle will be slightly lower than in “bottom”.

But the main consideration is that in the bottom position, the knife is usually clamped slightly more securely (hence I usually prefer the bottom position). However, if you put small knives in the bottom position, your stone may hit the clamp while sharpening (unless you increase the angle). So for those knives the top position is often better.

Just give it a try and you’ll see for yourself which position works better for each knife.

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Andrew]

Thanks for your help guys

[Author]

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