Angle of knife edge, and hand sharpening tips

[chudykGT]

I am fairly incompetent with regards to sharpening knives of any variety. I currently use a Lansky sharpening kit (diamond hones, and a guide rails) It only has 17, 20, 25, and 30 degree guides. Some of my knives have a steeper edge than this.
First queston: What is the range of edge expected for a heavy work/camping/bush knife?
Second: What is the range of edge for an everyday/defense folding knife?
Third question: What is the range of edge for a combo camping/defense knife?

I have a KABAR non serrated edge fixed blade for camping (under 6 inch length) a CRKT double edge boot knife (under 4" blade) and a Kershaw vapor 2 thumb stud opening folding knife (under 5" blade) everyday knife.
As well I have a Buck Pilot folder non serrated, a Gerber 4.5" blade serrated folder, and a Peak non serrated 3.5" folder.
30 degrees seems to do ok for the gerber, wich is my oldest knife and the one that needed sharpening the most (though it had something closer to 35 degrees) but the other knives, especialy the fixed blades, have something steeper than 30 degrees.
What is the best way to learn to sharpen them freehand without wrecking the edges over and over again?

 

[xm21]

Color the edge with a Sharpie.It lets you see exactly where you are removing metal.

 

[bikerdoc]

What is the best way to learn to sharpen them freehand without wrecking the edges over and over again?
__________________

Get some cheap offshore knives, garage sales, fleamarkets, where ever.

read, the sharpening sticky, use search, get some good stones, and just practice .

Skill and feel will come, and you will get it. Then go make your good knive scary sharp.

 

[MelaniePalmero]

Knife Sharpening

Hi chudykGT! This helpful guide from Chef Phil only suggests 22 and 45 degree angles. It's pretty easy, you'll see!

 

[hso]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=8341