Dear Benchmade,

I completely understand "why" (from the business perspective) and I'm no *expert* on blade edge angles (sorry for any outright ignorance in this post)....but it sure would be a nice option if you were able to select the following when sending a blade into LifeSharp:

Desired Angle:
□ 15° per side (thin, fragile, will dull quickly with moderate EDC use) [MAYBE NOT EVEN OFFER THIS; only for BM steak and chefs knives]
☑ 18° per side (good for light to moderate EDC use)
□ 20° per side (excellent edge retention; moderate to heavier EDC use)
□ 25° per side (best edge retention; for heavier EDC use)

I *personally* (fwiw) feel that the factory edge (albeit very sharp these days) is too shallow. I'm quite sure that we're talking about the edge being 25° per side out of the factory; again, very sharp, and has a bunch of steel behind it to keep it "sharp" longer (good for knife newbs).....buuuuuut, I'd much rather see a sharp-ass 18° edge and hit it with a strop or steel more frequently.

Ending rant. Would be a nice option. Maybe even if it was an option for "people in the know" (or forumites) to ask of BM, so that the default LifeSharp service is what they currently do.

I know, I know...just sharpen it yourself T. Unfortunately I just not there yet. Not enough free time right now to "reprofile" the edge angle. Maybe once I get find the time to paper wheel it, but unfortunately I just don't have the time to EdgePro it down.

Anyways, I probably could have change the angle on two knives with the time it took to write this rant.

P.S. This is probably all for naught as BM most likely has their rigs configured to easily hit that one angle over and over again. Worth a mention tho.

TDOGG, I'm not sure about this, but I was under the impression that the folks at Lifesharp do their work free-hand. That's what Krein does too. That makes it hard to estimate the finished edge angle.

It sounds like you have an EdgePro. That should do a quick job of cutting you a steeper edge angle...especially if you aren't opposed to using the Coarse stone. That's what I use anyway for most of my Edgepro sharpening. Then I smooth up the edge with a Medium and call it good. I never bother polishing the edge to a mirror finish. I like leaving some grind marks on the side of the edge to work as mini serrations.

Remember to keep a log of what you do to sharpen each knife. It makes it simple to go back to the correct settings when a re-sharpen is required. I just keep a file on my desktop called "fastjan's sharpening log".

quote:

I'm not sure about this, but I was under the impression that the folks at Lifesharp do their work free-hand

I believe this to be correct, and I know I have no complaints re: sharpening-- particularly since it's free--

T, I am about to pick on you, since you hit the nail on the head in your own post.

quote:

Originally posted by TDOGG:
unfortunately I just don't have the time to EdgePro it down

quote:

Originally posted by TDOGG:
Anyways, I probably could have change the angle on two knives with the time it took to write this rant

When you say you don't have the time, I call BS and say you choose not to allocate the time. Think of the amount of time you spend on the forum each day/week. Take 10% of that and boom, you've just re-profiled some of your knives. This is assuming you have the 120 grit stone, if you do not, get one.

I don't mean to pick on you, but since you posted the topic I felt it was fair game

quote:

Originally posted by ryxlyx:

quote:

I'm not sure about this, but I was under the impression that the folks at Lifesharp do their work free-hand

I believe this to be correct

I will third this statement, last I heard they were hand sharpening.

Keep in mind that they're already tuning up and sharpening your knife for free. It's not for me to say that BM can't offer customization for free sharpening, but it seems highly unlikely that they would take on individual instructions when they aren't making money off the endeavor. 2c

quote:

Originally posted by canadianknifenut:
T, I am about to pick on you, since you hit the nail on the head in your own post.

quote:

Originally posted by TDOGG:
unfortunately I just don't have the time to EdgePro it down

quote:

Originally posted by TDOGG:
Anyways, I probably could have change the angle on two knives with the time it took to write this rant

When you say you don't have the time, I call BS and say you choose not to allocate the time. Think of the amount of time you spend on the forum each day/week. Take 10% of that and boom, you've just re-profiled some of your knives. This is assuming you have the 120 grit stone, if you do not, get one.

I don't mean to pick on you, but since you posted the topic I felt it was fair game

quote:

Originally posted by ryxlyx:

quote:

I'm not sure about this, but I was under the impression that the folks at Lifesharp do their work free-hand

I believe this to be correct

I will third this statement, last I heard they were hand sharpening.

I'm typically at work when I reply on the forum (right or wrong). I can't have an EdgePro sawing away at work. I don't have blocks of time outside of work unfortunately.

T

quote:

Originally posted by TDOGG:
I'm typically at work when I reply on the forum (right or wrong). I can't have an EdgePro sawing away at work. I don't have blocks of time outside of work unfortunately.

T

I respect that and I meant no disrespect with my comment towards you.

quote:

Originally posted by canadianknifenut:

quote:

Originally posted by TDOGG:
I'm typically at work when I reply on the forum (right or wrong). I can't have an EdgePro sawing away at work. I don't have blocks of time outside of work unfortunately.

T

I respect that and I meant no disrespect with my comment towards you.

I knew EXACTLY what you meant

I need to allocate some time to jump back on the EP and give it a run again.

...and FJ has a point. Don't worry so much about a fine finishing job.

quote:

I was under the impression that the folks at Lifesharp do their work free-hand.

Very well could be. I remember seeing this vid. Just want back to it. Maybe it's the initial grind on a new knife. Seems like some sort of combo (this is outside my wheelhouse)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTbHk3IzFcw&t=1m1s

After slowing it down, it looks like that rig was for grinding on the spine...

I dunno, but the extra coarse diamond stone on my Lansky can remove abut a 1/8 inch in an hour! That thing is screaming fast.