KME Sharpening the Benchmade Steep Country

An initial sharpening of a factory fresh steep country. Subsequent sessions usually take about 15-20 minutes once the factory bevel has been removed.
Progression:
140 diamond
300 diamond
600 diamond
1500 diamond
4um CBN on leather
Nonaffiliated link: www.kmesharp.com

[@davestelling]

Very good tutorial for any KME users. I lost my KME kit in a move, have replaced it with a TSPROF system that I haven't had a chance to even try out yet. After watching this, I'm missing my KME more than ever. It's such a great little rig. Enjoying your presentations, thanks...

[@EngineersPerspective701]

Bro that’s rough, but good replacement system though! The compact size and capability are awesome for the KME. I hadn’t used it for a long time but busted it out for 4 knives recently and am going back to it more and more lately.

[@alastaircurrie9097]

Thanks for the video. Sharpening is one area I am not good at and need to invest more time and effort in. I have a Spyderco triangle sharpmaker and have been thinking I should invest in something that does a better job. If you think it is a good topic, I would be interested in your opinion on what a good system is for someone that has no faith in their ability to master free hand sharpening? I like the look of the kme, but it seems expensive. Are there other similar systems that do the same job without the price tag? What are the features a sharpening system like that should I look out for?

[@EngineersPerspective701]

Appreciate the question! I definitely have no master plan for this channel, it’s mostly for fun! But I have tried to show off a few methods for sharpening because I’ve tried a lot just in the name of experimentation but many were a part of my ongoing journey. I do have recommendations but it depends on what knives you’re working with and what the desired results are. If you’d like, shoot me a message and we can cover what you’re looking for and I will make a video for it! I will say that I find a strop very important to follow up after the Sharpmaker. I recommend finding some quality diamond stropping compound and putting it on a paint stirrer or getting some balsa, bass wood and cutting a roughly 1.5"x5.5" piece for the strop.

[@kurtglo]

For some reason I thought BM was putting the blade angle @ 14 degrees on these hunting knives?

[@EngineersPerspective701]

Only some of the hunt knives get their “Select Edge” that is at 14dps. Not the steep country but I don’t think their S30V would hold up well with that low of an angle anyways. The new steep country has sweet geometry regardless and is a great hunting knife!

[@kurtglo]

@@EngineersPerspective701 I agree, but they're sold out everywhere you look!

[@EngineersPerspective701]

@@kurtglo didn’t know that! I wonder if Benchmade is having labor issues or something? Not like the supply chain should make a difference to them

[@kurtglo]

@@EngineersPerspective701 I did see from their website that they are hiring for various positions

[@swamp.stomper]

Jeff Jewel vibes on this one 😁

[@EngineersPerspective701]

Thank you! He’s a beast on the stones!