How to properly sharpen delimbing knives?

Sharpening delimbing knives is an essential process that guarantees effective and precise delimbing. In the blog below, we’ll discuss how to effectively sharpen knives using different tools and following key principles.

Sharpening steps:

1. Hammering: Use two hammers to smooth out any nicks. Start by lightly hammering to sharpen the knives. Try to keep your strokes even, avoiding too much pressure, which could distort the blade.
2. Grinding with a flap disc: The next step is to use a flap disc for sanding. Carefully guide the disc along the knife, ensuring even wear on the blade. Alternatively, you can use a hand file, especially to fine-tune the cutting edges. Make sure the file is of the appropriate thickness and quality.

Most of the work is done by the upper delimbing knives, which means they need more frequent sharpening. Make sure the sharpening angle is 36 degrees. For lower knives, sharpening is not usually required, but any nicks should be removed by grinding regularly. While doing this, try not to overheat the blade and keep the rake angle at 45 degrees.

Recommended flatness values:

• Delimbing side: Maintain the flatness of the knife surface between 0 and 2 mm.
• Back side: The flatness of this side should be between 0 and 3 mm.

TIPS:

• Avoid overheating: If you use a grinder, be careful not to overheat the edge of the knife. The maximum temperature should not exceed +200°C.
• Regularly check the blade: Check the condition of the blade regularly, identifying any nicks or deformations.

Sharpening delimbing knives is an art that requires patience and precision. By following the above tips, you will be able to keep your knives in excellent condition, which will translate into efficiency and safety during your work.