Sharpening a Gerber LMF

[HoosierQ]

I have a Gerber LMF tactical knife. It is very strong and sturdy with a rubber handle and all. The serrations are sharp but the fine part of the blade is not near as sharp as I usually expect Gerber products to be. I have the Lansky sharpening system and I have tried but still hair shaving sharpness eluded me. Any advice...anbody had to sharpen one of these? Any advice would help.

 

[Mongrel]

Don't have one so I can't tell what the blade\edge profile is.

It may be too thick for the angle you are trying on the Lansky. In other words, you are sharpening the metal above the actual edge because the angle you are using is too slight. Try putting the rods up a hole or two and see how it is hitting the very edge of the blade. Think of the difference between a Swiss Army Knife and a hatchet-that's a very exagerated example of what I'm referring to.

Many times a larger knife will be setup with a more aggressive bevel for chopping.

You *can* do a back-bevel on it if this is the case. A back bevel will slim down the blade above the edge and allow you to get a finer edge. I wouldn't do this on a larger knife though.

Now, I'm an amateur so wait for The Tourist to stop by. He can give you the straight dope on it.

 

[The Tourist]

Oh thanks, Mongrel, now I have to be a genius...

First off, the ability to 'slice' often comes from a blade with a thinner profile, sharpened at a finer degree.

People buy tactical knives for strength, I guess.

On top of this, a Lansky sharpens at a pre-selected angle, like 15, 20, 25 annd 30, which is fairly worthless if your knife is 17.8 degrees.

Before you grind off all of that good metal, ask yourself honestly what you are trying to accomplish. If you want the dangerous cut of a folding razor, then purchase a folding razor or slick up an Opinel. If you want a knife for your work as a soldier, take your knife, polish it to the finest mode you can at 20 degrees and live with your decsion.

Now, I cannot give out names due to client confidentiality, but there is a retired soldier here who is one of my clients. He might see your thread and share with you his motivation.

 

[HoosierQ]

Thanks guys. I think I know what you mean. I have tended to thing of all knives the same in terms of sharpness...objectively or subjectively. As is, I could certainly hack a piece of 3" green oak in two with the blade. I think the point about the diffference between a Swiss Army Knife and a heavy duty military knife is well taken. Perhaps a better contrast would be a heavy duty tool like the LMF and a roughly similar sized hunting knife.

I am feeling better. FWIW the bevel on the thing is about 20 degrees so no exactly a straight razor.