Help - what did I do wrong and how did I fix it?

[antlerman]

Hi guys,
Tried to sharpen at a steeper angle, I think I used uneven pressure. The edge is hair shaving sharp, but it doesn't look right. What did I do wrong, and how do I fix it. This is kind of my beater knife so I don't mind messing about with it so much learning new skills.
How can I fix this bevel?!

 

[Frosty]

Looks like there's a bit of a bend to the blade, edge side. Sight down the length of both the edge and spine to confirm. It's a common issue and pretty straight forward to correct if that's the case. No major damage done, but definitely correct a bend if present before sharpening any more.

 

[myguidingmoonlight]

Use a straight ruler or something flat to check for bends on the edge or of the spine. If your sharpening angle is consistent and this happens anyway I would consider the culprit to be either bends or low spots near the edge.

 

[antlerman]

Use a straight ruler or something flat to check for bends on the edge or of the spine. If your sharpening angle is consistent and this happens anyway I would consider the culprit to be either bends or low spots near the edge.

There's not the highest fit and finish on this knife line, wouldn't be surprised

 

[antlerman]

Use a straight ruler or something flat to check for bends on the edge or of the spine. If your sharpening angle is consistent and this happens anyway I would consider the culprit to be either bends or low spots near the edge.

I'm making crèpes Suzette rn, I'll respond with some photos of the knife with a ruler after

 

[antlerman]

Use a straight ruler or something flat to check for bends on the edge or of the spine. If your sharpening angle is consistent and this happens anyway I would consider the culprit to be either bends or low spots near the edge.

As per this post which I've attached, that seems to be the case. Would I need to thin the knife to fix this, how would I do that?

 

[antlerman]

Use a straight ruler or something flat to check for bends on the edge or of the spine. If your sharpening angle is consistent and this happens anyway I would consider the culprit to be either bends or low spots near the edge.

Can you tell from these photos which one it is?
Sorry I do not have a ruler, these are the best photos I have

 

[stringer]

As per this post which I've attached, that seems to be the case. Would I need to thin the knife to fix this, how would I do that?

Don't get too concerned with how the bevel looks. How the knife cuts is the most important thing. Most likely the knife isn't perfectly straight as mentioned above. Thinning will exaggerate the issue as you have already found. These knives are hand hammered, ground assymetric, very thin, with soft cladding. This makes them a bit irregular and bendy. The bevels won't be perfect. I would only start messing with it if you are trying to correct a functional issue like steering or lack of board contact. Otherwise you risk creating actual performance problems that currently don't exist. If your knife is sharp and functional that is what's important. I can't tell if your knife is straight or not because imgur won't load on my phone without downloading the app.

 

[antlerman]

Don't get too concerned with how the bevel looks. How the knife cuts is the most important thing. Most likely the knife isn't perfectly straight as mentioned above. Thinning will exaggerate the issue as you have already found. These knives are hand hammered, ground assymetric, very thin, with soft cladding. This makes them a bit irregular and bendy. The bevels won't be perfect. I would only start messing with it if you are trying to correct a functional issue like steering or lack of board contact. Otherwise you risk creating actual performance problems that currently don't exist. If your knife is sharp and functional that is what's important. I can't tell if your knife is straight or not because imgur won't load on my phone without downloading the app.

There is a lack of board contact on the front 1/3. I wish it was a bit flatter. I've also noticed the grind is asymmetrical (one side is more angular than another). This was my first knife I learned to sharpen on, I wonder if this caused me to grind away more steel from one side?

 

[stringer]

There is a lack of board contact on the front 1/3. I wish it was a bit flatter. I've also noticed the grind is asymmetrical (one side is more angular than another). This was my first knife I learned to sharpen on, I wonder if this caused me to grind away more steel from one side?

Traditional nakiri are designed to be highly asymmetric.



If you try to sharpen something that is highly asymmetric symmetrically then you will have issues. The key with a knife like this is trying to follow the initial grind. The front third of the nakiri is fine. The issue is if you get a spot somewhere in the middle or the rear third of the knife that doesn't touch the board while the knife touches the board in front and behind of that spot. This will create accordion cuts.

Changing the profile (making the edge flatter) or grind (making it more symmetrical) of a knife is a pretty major endeavor. I would encourage you to use the knife and only make major adjustments if you notice performance issues. Don't try it just because something looks a little off.

 

[antlerman]

Traditional nakiri are designed to be highly asymmetric.



If you try to sharpen something that is highly asymmetric symmetrically then you will have issues. The key with a knife like this is trying to follow the initial grind. The front third of the nakiri is fine. The issue is if you get a spot somewhere in the middle or the rear third of the knife that doesn't touch the board while the knife touches the board in front and behind of that spot. This will create accordion cuts.

View attachment 300480

Changing the profile (making the edge flatter) or grind (making it more symmetrical) of a knife is a pretty major endeavor. I would encourage you to use the knife and only make major adjustments if you notice performance issues. Don't try it just because something looks a little off.

Super helpful response, thanks.
It's pretty sharp at the moment, so I'll consider doing it if it begins to wedge.
Thanks
Toby