How to sharpen Maxamet on the KME, no voodoo or special effects needed to get this done.

Maxamet Manix 2 sharpened on the KME. This shows there us nothing difficult about this and I used the 300 and 600 grit stones and a 16 um cbn on bass wood and 3 um on horse hide. If you have any questions or comments drop them below. If it's too detailed for here contact me and I'll help you out as best I can.
Edge retention testing data sheets
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Contact me at [e-mail]
Follow me on Instagram at Outpost76
As always I appreciate your time and thanks for watching.

[@mmikee407]

Great video and great educational material. Thank you. Appreciate the contribution. So kind.

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome and thank you

[@patrickvanovermeeren4513]

Excellent video !! Thank you for sharing sir !

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome brother

[@CliffStamp]

The reason why people are likely complaining is not that they are sharpening at all, but rather they are regrinding. The majority of factory, and even a lot of custom knives, are hand sharpened and that means the bevels will be asymmetric along the bevel and from side to side. The first time someone goes to sharpen it on any kind of jig system they will have to not only regrind it to match one angle, they will have to plane down the asymmetry, on something like Maxamet, that could take a LONG time unless they : -have a very coarse stone AND -the stone doesn't wear/load/dish during the grinding IF you use diamond/CBD, AND, you know to use light pressure as you approach the apex, AND your abrasives are very even, AND ideally you use a lubricant, then you should be able to achieve a consistent bevel in a short amount of time with a properly chosen abrasive (on the order of minutes). But if any of those are off, OR, the blade is really asymmetic, OR, you don't understand you are not sharpening, you are regrinding, then you could end up with a very frustrating experience due to the very low grindability of Maxamet. If someone for example uses an AO stone with a tight bond, and they do everything right, BUT the grind was really asymmetric, the very high carbide volume of Maxamet could actually wear the abrasive during the sharpening and it will stop cutting and start burnishing, and IF you are not experienced with high carbide steels and what they can do to strongly bonded stones, this could be a maddening experience because most people don't understand that you have to recondition strongly bonded stones.

[@glockgaston2922]

G thanks for all the great information and thanks for sharing brother!!!👊👊👊

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome brother

[@johnscarborough4746]

After watching you and other folks I respect cut testing I've pretty much stopped at 1000 grit on my pocket knives and 800 on my kitchen knives.

[@paul_schuette]

Wow, that was quick!

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Great work !!

[@mikelikesknives428]

Great video. Maxamet seems to do best when you just keep it simple. Dont get crazy and take your time. Thank you for filming this sharpening.

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome brother, I've found simple works best for what I cut and for the results I get in sharpening.

[@tomhudson1]

Thank you G. More sharpening videos would be appreciated!

[@Outpost_76]

I've been thinking about doing one on K390 and ZDP-189. Maybe some more common steels as well so everyone can see it's easy enough for anyone to learn.

[@joshuabriggs7114]

Nice setup! Seems much simpler to setup than my Wicked Edge. Usually I just free hand though. Finally found a Maxamet PM2 which I should receive in a few days. Can't wait to experiment with it!

[@Outpost_76]

I got in to fixed systems when my arthritis started getting bad in my hands. I do on occasion freehand but those days a few and far between. You'll enjoy the Maxamet, its just a great performer.

[@rodneypearson6986]

Good video & info Thanks G

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome brother

[@paddyspotatopeelers2154]

Great job pal. I've just been doing video on sharpening m390 on venev stones freehand. Getting them sharp is the fun part for me. Atb paddy 👍☘️😃

[@Outpost_76]

Thanks Paddy, I enjoy your freehand videos.

[@Hungrybird474]

I understand why people have loved these same designs for years and decades after using them .

[@timbo4374]

Thanks for sharing this with us G. I don't have any Maxamet yet, but I do plan on getting some to try out. When I saw the Para 3 released again, I was hoping the PM2 would follow, but so far no show. I already have 2 Para 3's, and I really don't carry either one much. I only have 1 PM 2, and I DO carry that frequently, but if they don't release one in Max soon, I may just grab the Manix 2 instead. I do love my Manix's. Maybe I'll settle for a K390 PM 2 instead. Either way, it's good to see that sharpening it isn't as scary as we may have thought. Thanks again.

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome, look at the Native in Maxamet as well. That is one I want, I enjoy the Manix and Native over the PM2 and Para 3.

[@stevenlachance8576]

The PM 2, and 3 in maxamet are regular production knives now. That doesn’t mean always available but they are available in pulses.

[@JohnVentarino-ey5ln]

Are they KME STONES MY FRIEND THAT CAME WITH YOUR SHARPENER MY FRIEND. YOUR A GREAT SHARPENER.

[@edkubinski]

Thanks.

[@jaystrongbow9435]

Gerald, watching your video, one thing was pretty clear. ..... I need more practice on my KME. You mentioned you have a good feel for it. I do not have the feel down 100%, and still struggle with tips and burrs on occasion. So ya, more practice for me. Thank you for an excellent tutorial Gerald, you make it look easy !!

[@Outpost_76]

You're welcome, I just started out slow and repeated the same process over and over. I did a video about tips on the KME a while back too.

[@jaystrongbow9435]

@@Outpost_76 The tutorial on blade tips on the KME was excellent as well and showed me what I was doing wrong rounding out my knife tip. But on occasion I still get a tip that won't sharpen as if its been ground oddly at the factory. I do try to get the edge bevels to match on an new knife, going slow and working both sides equally with the 140 grit. When they match up, I deburr and move on. Is it me, or are some factory edges really out of wack?

[@Outpost_76]

@@jaystrongbow9435 some are really bad. I'll send you some more tips for fixing a rounded tip on a knife.

[@briand563]

Same here. I have cane a long way. expecialy with gearlds help. But i still struggle with tips sometimes too

[@bryanb4308]

Awesome video. I’m far from a pro but one thing I have learned is in regards to what you said when you started the video, “I just got done checking my angles”. One thing that makes what you just did so easy is that the KME is infinitely adjustable so you can always match the factory angle of the blade by some test runs with a sharpie. If you tried to do that with a Lansky it would take an eternity because you would almost certainly be reprofiling the blade unless you got really lucky with the factory angles. The Lansky also has an enormous eye hole for the rod so the rod is constantly bouncing around and the angle is changing even as you sharpen. I guess my point is sharpening tough steel seems to be a lot easier if you match the factory angle and don’t reprofile assuming you have the ability to do that with a good guided system, or are just a badass and can do it freehand. I feel like a lot of the stories about it being impossible to sharpen come from people that want to put a 15 degree angle on maxamet without Diamond stones 😄

[@andrewsteinberg7728]

keep index finger pressed on rod to keep from going up on large hole

[@profesorEDC]

😱🤯😲 life made easier, great vid as always G, thanks. Wish I had a KME, perhaps some diamond plates with same grip for these type of steels, cause on japanese stones takes ages🤣

[@Outpost_76]

Even a Lansky with their diamond stones could get this done just as easy. I've never asked, how do you sharpen now, freehand?

[@profesorEDC]

@@Outpost_76 yup freehand on a couple of Choseras, a German stone and a local low.grit stone and a WorkSharp field sharpener 😁

[@mickkeim4142]

I guess I missed it...what did you change? I was surprised you started with the 300 diamond. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@Outpost_76]

Only thing I changed in the video was the stone. I kept the same secondary bevel. First sharpening on Maxamet I've always started at 140 grit then 300 and 600.

[@shawnsisson8190]

Do you use the convex rod for the KME! Thank you for sharing this video!

[@Outpost_76]

I don't have one for the KME. On the rare occasion I have a recurve I can't do on the KME I do still have my old Lansky with the serrated and convex stones. The DMT diamond plateau for the KME are a lot thinner than the KME stones so for mild recurve blades like the BM 710, ZT 0350 or Kershaw Blur can be done using them. I do want the extra rods for the KME to try some different things with. I also have an Edge Pro and figured out a way to do a convex edge with some manipulation.

[@andrewsteinberg7728]

What angle did you sharpen , spyderco folders use 17 deg i believe. Nervous about sharpening my max. para 3. Have kme system. Starting at 300 grit sound good, thanks > Apostle P. says to do micro bevel first. I rather have one secondary edge and no micro bevel. My para 3 came with sec. and micro bevel.

[@timseal4792]

think i am getting a kme soon

[@damensutherland7081]

Nice video i got a kme with manix and it moves i put bike intertube in it to stabilize it i got s30 v working on getting hair pooping sharp i got 8000 dmt going to get jende 15000 diamond next to der if it works

[@briand563]

watching this because its time to sharpen my maxamet pm2. Hopefully all goes well lol

[@Outpost_76]

Its much easier than what's talked about. I think you will be fine.

[@JJ-lu6mg]

I luv how little steel you’re removing to get a small burr I could care less about getting a high polished edge either. It would be great if you could do few more videos on sharpening and I actually prefer when there’s less talking because I learn better from example than I do too much explaining IMO. “Great video thanks” 👍🏼

[@Outpost_76]

I can add some videos like that for sure.

[@JJ-lu6mg]

@@Outpost_76 that would be awesome I just got the “KME” and it works great, but I did make the mistake of not breaking in the diamond stones and got a some light scratches on the blade.

[@thepolarbear5046]

I think you should go with 1200 grit it is going to be 100% better. Note:you are a sharpening beast.

[@Nohkral]

Why better?

[@JohnVentarino-ey5ln]

What's the factory angle on the Mannix 2 in Maxamet.

[@Gman1024]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, you said no voodoo or special effects.......how did you get rid of that horrible scraping noise from sharpening at the beginning? :) Amazing that you have 1,400 knives sharpened on that KME. Have you had to do anything to those stones besides wash them? Thanks for sharing, very informative, even though I don't have any of those knives.

[@Outpost_76]

I've had a few sets of the KME gold diamond stones and I have some DMT diamond plates. I just clean them and that's it. I have various other water stones for the KME as well. WD-40 was the magic voodoo, lol.

[@970diego]

So did you reprofile the factory edge? Or did you match it? Or did you leave the factory edge and instead add a micro bevel at a steeper angle?

[@Outpost_76]

The factory edge on this one was 16 dps. When I did the edge retention testing I took it down to 15 dps and that's where it is now. Maxamet is pretty easy to sharpen and reprofile. If you need any help you can contact me and I'll give you any information you need.

[@jorreymaynard658]

Thanks for this I've been wondering how I should put my knife blade into my sharpener clamp. So.... not flush.

[@Outpost_76]

I did a video about clamping different blades with examples to show how they look in the clamp. I believe that video will have a good variety of answers to help you out.

[@blairtaylor9552]

start by checking out the KME instructional videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZm2e5WvpLaArK8&ab_channel=KmeSharpeners

[@fakestreamedia5309]

Is maxamet a steel that isn’t good to go beyond 600 grit? Thx for video very helpful

[@Outpost_76]

I've sharpened it up much higher than a 600 grit diamond plate. I just like a coarse edge on mine.

[@Nohkral]

Why did you use the stop on the kme?

[@overlandedc]

So your using the same angle as before correct? Not reprofiling?

[@Outpost_76]

Yes, I realized after I didn't say that in the video. I dropped the secondary on this back when it was new. Next time I have a Maxamet knife that I'm going to drop the bevel I'll record that. Juat as straight forward as this but I'd have used the 140 grit stone first. I checked my sharpening log after I realized and its at 15 dps.

[@overlandedc]

Outpost 76 ok cool. I’m sure reprofiling takes more time . I keep a sharpening log myself, super helpful

[@delta9jms]

Thanks. Ordered a KME today and I had to find this video again to see the specifics on that base. How many stones have you gone through sharpening 1400 knives ?

[@Outpost_76]

With the KME gold diamond plates I get about 600 sharpenings. The price for the wood base went up at Home Depot since I made this one but it's still under 20$ to replicate.

[@delta9jms]

@@Outpost_76 I found a 15" round at Lowes which I think is about perfect your base looks a little larger than I need. That round is still only $8 and the dowel is $3. I like the way the wood dowel holds the rig better. And yes - I ordered the KME package with the 4 diamond plates. I also ordered the convexing rod

[@stevenlachance8576]

Been watching maxamet videos noticed the ApostleP thinks maxamet is bad at least 5 yrs ago he did but he has not published a retraction. He seems to think that it chips with zip ties or lateral stress. Not my experience, I take it yours was decent as well?

[@bele28]

Can you recommend a good budget something I can put on leather to strop maxamet? What are those 3 and 16 micron ones? I have the green compound and it just "doesent cut it" lol...

[@Outpost_76]

DMT dia-paste, you can buy it separate in 1, 3 or 6 micron or the 3 pack which is 30$ US and that will work on Maxamet. The 3 is DMT diamond paste and the 16 is Bark River cbn.

[@bele28]

@@Outpost_76 thanx!

[@brudyboy58]

What oil do you use on your diamond stones and how do you clean the diamond stones when your finished using them

[@Outpost_76]

I did for a time use a little water on the diamond plates but I've since gone back to using them dry. I just wipe them with a cloth that doesn't leave material behind. You can also wash and dry them to get them clean.

[@brudyboy58]

@@Outpost_76 how about spraying Some WD40 on the stones. It cleans and lubricants, then just pat dry with a cloth

[@bubbapeppers4354]

Angle finder on your phone??? I missed that day in school lol... please enlighten me. Great demo BTW!

[@Outpost_76]

I have an angle app on my phone, I did check it with an angle cube and its accurate. If I can't find my angle cube soon I'm going to have to get another.

[@bubbapeppers4354]

@@Outpost_76 Do you mind sharing the App's name? That's awesome!

[@Outpost_76]

@@bubbapeppers4354 bubble level, I'm PM you a pic6of the icon.

[@LeHeuZaHer]

Stupid question, so sorry in advance as I’ve never dealt with a steel like Maxamet before, will diamond plates from Amazon work for sharpening this steel? As I’ve seen people using quite high-end diamond plates, or adding diamond compound onto already high-end stones, but I haven’t seen anyone use basic diamond plates before. I do understand that basic diamond plates tend to be a lower grit than stated I.E 1000 instead of 3000, but would they still work well enough to actually sharpen a steel that’s as hard as Maxamet?

[@LeHeuZaHer]

The closest example I could find, if you’d like an example on Amazon, was: YJZ 4Pcs Diamond Sharpening Stones,Ultra-Thin Single Side Honeycomb Diamond Plate Honing Stone 400/600/1000/1200 Grit,2.48x5.94 Inch

[@Outpost_76]

I have tried a couple cheap diamond plates and they seem to work fine. Just make sure they are not the very thin ones as they may not be flat. An alternative would be the DMT dia-fold 300/600. This costs around 20 dollars and will sharpen Maxamet and other higher hardness steels just fine.

[@LeHeuZaHer]

@@Outpost_76 thanks mate, I appreciate the advice, and I’ll check out the DMT! 😁 gonna sub as well, hopefully we can chat more about it as I’m learning the nuances of this new knife!

[@Hungrybird474]

How did it hold up after 4 years ? Did it ever need another stone or just strop ?

[@Outpost_76]

How often a sharpening is needed will depend on each person's use. It varies even for me depending on what use I have. With stropping I can get 2 months or more sometimes on Maxamet, at times it's less.

[@wstar72]

Why didn’t you do the 1500 stone? And where do you get your stroping compounds?

[@Outpost_76]

I don't often use the 1500 grit stone on my own knives. For what I cut a 600 grit or sometimes a 400 grit work better. Maxamet I've found once you pass about 800-1000 grit you will notice shortened edge life. The Para 3 I've done all that cutting with so far was finished the same as this Manix.

[@Outpost_76]

You can get the Bark River cbn from a few places, mine came from DLT Trading. I bought the 3 pack it 1,3 and 6 um DMT dia-paste from Amazon and its lasted about 1.5 years now. Chef Knives to go has many different options as well and that's where my .5 um came from.

[@CSGraves]

I was about to ask about whether Maxamet would respond to higher grit finishes, & this answers that! Should I ever pull the trigger on the Max Native 5 or something, I'll skip the mirror polish.

[@alisadigout5617]

What did you put on the 320 stone to stop the noise . You didn’t say when you did it ....

[@Outpost_76]

The squeak is from the plastic ball guide socket and I usually pit some type of oil or pivot lube on it to make the noise stop. It lasts for a month or so before I have to do it again.

[@alisadigout5617]

Mineral oil works good and it helps the filings from laying down in the diamonds and sticking there.

[@shawnhuggett4839]

I literally can not get my maxamet manix 2 sharp. Been working on it for HOURS and not even a hint of a burr. Im using the same exact set up and technique as you.

[@Outpost_76]

Send me an email and I'll see if I can help you out.

[@kevinfitz3721]

Do you ever go lower than 300 and if so does it cause micro chipping?

[@Outpost_76]

I started with a 140 grit on both the Manix and Para 3 Maxamet the first time I took them to 15 dps. I didn't have any issues. Keep in mind on every Maxamet knife I've sharpened the first edge or 2 don't come up as well and can feel a little unrefined. Fatigue and overheating would be my guess since these are run hard.

[@kevinfitz3721]

@@Outpost_76 thanks I appreciate it I did my para 3 maxamet started with 300 but it does need more refinement and I want to finish bringing it down to 15 per side but I think I'm going to wait till my cbn metallic stones come in and re start with 240 grit

[@Outpost_76]

@@kevinfitz3721 let me know how that works out for you.

[@kevinfitz3721]

@@Outpost_76 will do

[@chrissabo923]

Where do you get your diamond emulsion from

[@Outpost_76]

The Bark River cbn I bought from DLT, the DMT dia-paste I got from Amazon and my .5 diamond spray came from Chef Knives to go. The Bark River 16 um cbn is some great stuff. I need to get some of the 8 um as well

[@chrissabo923]

Thanks

[@Outpost_76]

@@chrissabo923 you're welcome

[@hooliganAvail]

What is the edge crush weight on your cardboard and what is it rated at?

[@Outpost_76]

I'll look it up at work tomorrow and find out

[@hooliganAvail]

@@Outpost_76 thanks that would be much appreciated.

[@Outpost_76]

@@hooliganAvail I'm waiting on the specs now and I'll update when I get the info.

[@hooliganAvail]

@@Outpost_76 when ever you can . It would be appreciated. Thanks

[@hooliganAvail]

@@Outpost_76 I think when I get better at push cutting and film my test. I will show the stamp on the bottom of the box with that info.

[@MrDands]

What was the sharpening angle?

[@Outpost_76]

At the time this was 16 dps.

[@hilltopknivesandgear8103]

1st off!!! I need a base like that!! Next! 😱😱😱😱😱😱 their had to be some fuckin bridge troll magical voodoo going on in this video!! U said 4 minutes to raise a burr????? No fuckin way!! Maxamet is like 70 hrc!!!!!!! Itll take 6 weeks to raise a burr on that shit 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love it brother!! The bullshit needs to be squashed about harder steels being impossible to sharpen!!! Thanks for doing this and Sharing with us!!!

[@mariuscetateanu1028]

How does this system work compared to the WE system ....the results I mean

[@Outpost_76]

The results will depend on how your skill level is. Each different system has a different learning curve and as long as you practice the results will be great on either one. The down side to the WE is low stone selection at a higher price.

[@f1967cougar]

Anyone know what angle he sharpened this one at?

[@Outpost_76]

Back then I did this at 16 dps. I've since put it at 15 dps for when I tested it and I've left it that way since.

[@stevenlachance8576]

Original stones?

[@Outpost_76]

No, this is my 5th set. My first ones went about 700 individual sharpenings but were very worn. I used a couple second hand sets and had a DMT set. These particular stones have about 50 knives on them so far.

[@ncsEsper]

Please share a page of your log. I'm starting to keep a log.

[@Outpost_76]

I just saw this, I'll include it in a video soon.

[@hooliganAvail]

Lmao it took my brother 6 or so hours. He started with the beast and tried to work up. Kept noticing micro chipping on the bevel with a low powered microscope. It didn't stop till either the 140 or the 300. I. Think the latter. Good thing though he removed any possibility of a burnt edge with the amount of steel he removed. Lol

[@tonesetterfitness1261]

You're stupid

[@tonesetterfitness1261]

And yes it was the 300 that really smoothed out the edge

[@hooliganAvail]

@@tonesetterfitness1261 can you read and what does my brother have to do with me?