My Sharpening and knife related videos

[chino]

Hi Mark, thanks for the thorough reply. I’m going to replay the setup video and the referred video.

After that, I’ll see what happens. Thanks all!

Mr. chino - Brian's video shows using the Kallyrest very well.  It's not a super complicated rocket science kind of operation.  And, the Kallyrest is very forgiving as far as creating an even bevel is concerned. 

It is recommended the Kallyrest be mounted at the top of the platen.  Mounted in that position, sharpening happens 1" above the platen on the open belt.  Because the knife is not against a hard surface, the belt can flex just enough to be extremely forgiving and easily produces an even bevel.  At the same time, because it's only 1" above the platen the belt is still very stiff yet forgiving in easily producing an even bevel. 

A lot of research and testing went into finding the best sharpening position as far as distance from the platen is concerned.  Sharpen against the platen and it's real easy to screw up the bevel.  Too far from the platen the belt is more slack and produces a very convex bevel.  Testing reveled sharpening 1" above the platen easily produced even bevels with a  beautiful every so slightly convex bevel.  

The only part that requires a little understanding and explanation is that, as Brian shows, placing a finger (or thumb) on the spine of the blade and maintaining a gentle upward pressure against the finger or thumb.  This is because the belt wants to pull the knife downward and into the belt.  It doesn't require much upward pressure at all.  It's not a big deal and only takes a few passes of the blade before it's second nature.  Am I right Brian?

For me at least, the most important thing to learn about belt sharpening is to use very light pressure even if it requires another pass or two over the belt.  And, to stop at the first sign of a tiny burr.  Unless hogging off metal is the goal, super light knife to belt pressure is the way to go.