Sharpening a Gerber 600 series knife

[fdh54turkeyshooter]

A fellow brought me a 600 series Gerber Folder to sharpen. Not sure what kind of steel it is. Real light colored stainless of some kind with a dull finish. I got it to where it will shave using a used belt on the belt grinder, and then finishing up with a Smiths Diamond. The owner told me he can lay it down for one night & it looses its edge. Any suggestions on this knife besides file 13? I am going to lay it down for one day & see what happens to the edge I just put on it. Thanks in advance. Not familiar with this blade.

[jonet143]

unless rust steals the edge, it will wake up with the same edge it was layed down with. perhaps he layed it down dull.

[Hukk]

I'm not to sure of the steel, but if the edge got to hot on the belt grinder - especially with a used and maybe dull (grit) belt, then the steel will lose it's temper. I use my 2 x 72 to sharpen knives all the time, but I use newer belts at a slow speed and a bucket of water nearby. I have a 2HP 220v Bader III with the DC variable speed control, makes it easy to change speeds. I know some that have to change wheels to change the speed - no variable speed control.

I have a set of belts set aside for just sharpening. My neighbor says I'm lazy I say I'm efficient. He loves to come over and talk knives all the time.

EDIT: I make 1 pass and dunk in water, continue that way each pass until I'm on a 600 grit belt - then off to my fine stones. My leather strop is last.

[orvet]

I managed a cutlery store in the 1980s about 50 miles from the Gerber factory. The owner said he had purchased our sharpening system from Gerber and it was just like what they used at the Gerber factory.

The system consisted of a 1700 RPM Baldor buffer motor with a 150 grit composition stone on one end & a hard felt wheel on the other.

The knife was sharpened into the oncoming wheel.
The knife was de-burred on the hard felt wheel using a white rough.
NOTE: It was NOT de-burred into the oncoming wheel.

At that time Gerber seemed to prefer about a 30 degree angle on their blades. This meant that while they were rarely shaving sharp, they usually held the 30 degree edge pretty well.

We used to get lots of complaints from Gerber owners that they could not sharpen their knives. We would usually re-sharpen them with a 20-25 degree angle and they people were thrilled. Or, we would sell them a Kershaw or an Al Mar knife, as both brands cane shaving sharp from the factory.

I have not heard of a knife going dull while laying on a shelf.

Dale

[gmusic]

I have had some factory knives that if you cut open a couple of cardboard boxes with them, it renders them dull!
I currently carry a Benchmade 721 made from 154CM that isn't much better! I have much better blades, I don't know why I carry this one.................................

[fdh54turkeyshooter]

Thanks for all the help folks! I am sure he did lay it down dull. I will try the 20-25 degree angle with the stone & buffing wheel. Thanks Again!