Mastering the Art of Sharpening Your Benchmade Knife
Benchmade knives are renowned for their exceptional quality and performance. To maintain their edge and ensure longevity, it's crucial to know how to sharpen them correctly. This guide will walk you through the best way to sharpen your Benchmade knife, using both the factory-sharpener method and the popular edge-pro method.
Understanding Your Benchmade Knife's Edge
Before we dive into sharpening, it's essential to understand the grind and edge geometry of your Benchmade knife. Most Benchmade knives have a convex or hollow grind, which means the bevel is curved. This grind type provides excellent edge retention and cutting performance.
Preparation: Gather Your Tools
Before you start, make sure you have the following tools:
- Your Benchmade knife
- Benchmade factory sharpener (if applicable)
- Edge Pro Apex or other high-quality sharpening system
- Sharpening stones (if not using Edge Pro)
- Lightweight honing compound (optional)
- Strop or leather belt
Sharpening with the Benchmade Factory Sharpener
Benchmade offers a factory sharpener designed specifically for their knives. This method is quick and easy but may not produce the same results as using a professional sharpening system.
Steps to Sharpen with the Factory Sharpener
- Remove the knife from the sharpener's packaging and ensure it's clean and dry.
- Place the sharpener on a stable, flat surface.
- Insert the knife into the sharpener, aligning the blade with the sharpener's guides.
- Apply steady, even pressure as you pull the knife through the sharpener.
- Repeat the process on the other side of the blade.
- Check the edge for burrs and remove them using a honing compound or stropping.
Sharpening with the Edge Pro Apex System
The Edge Pro Apex is a popular choice among knife enthusiasts for its ability to create a consistent, sharp edge. This method requires more time and practice but produces exceptional results.
Setting Up the Edge Pro Apex
Before you begin, you'll need to set up the Edge Pro Apex according to your knife's grind and edge geometry. Consult the Edge Pro manual or online resources for detailed instructions.
Steps to Sharpen with the Edge Pro Apex
- Secure the knife in the Edge Pro vice, ensuring the blade is level and centered.
- Select the appropriate angle guide for your knife's grind (usually 15-17 degrees for Benchmade knives).
- Place the coarse stone (220/240 grit) in the stone holder and secure it in the Edge Pro.
- Apply a small amount of honing oil to the stone and blade.
- Sharpen the blade using steady, even pressure and the recommended number of strokes (usually 10-15).
- Flip the blade and repeat the process on the other side.
- Switch to a fine stone (4000/6000 grit) and repeat the sharpening process.
- Check the edge for burrs and remove them using a honing compound or stropping.
Stropping and Maintenance
Stropping your Benchmade knife after sharpening helps remove any remaining burrs and hones the edge. It also helps maintain the blade's geometry and prolongs the time between sharpening sessions.
Stropping Techniques
You can use a leather strop, leather belt, or even a piece of denim to strop your knife. Apply a small amount of stropping compound or honing oil to the strop, then hold the blade at a 15-17 degree angle and stroke it away from the cutting edge.
Maintaining your Benchmade knife's edge involves regular stropping and occasional sharpening. With proper care and technique, your Benchmade knife will remain sharp and perform exceptionally for years to come.
