Yes it is. That is why I hated ATS-34 for so long. I understand that 154CM is pretty much the same steel. I first exerienced ATS-34 in a Buck Odessey. Hardest darned knife I had ever sharpened. The harder the steel, the harder the shapening medium needs to be. If I didn't have a belt sander, I would buy some diamond sharpeners in various grits. Years of using 1095 made me think I was good at sharpening anything on my bench stone. My old German chef stone will cut it, but it is slow. It works fine for keeping it sharp, though. The upside is, think of the awesome edge retention this steel has.

Sharp as always HD! I love that blade profile. It reminds me of the old sharpfingers, which are classic. I am sure this one is even better.

WOW! nice and sharp.

I got a great edge on my HCLE and am loving it. I also have a neat leather sheath for it my friend made me. It is not as slick as the OST sheaths but it feels kind of special and it works very well and is excellent leather.

My 91 year old grandfather was able to tell right away when he handled the HCLE that it was very hard steel. His dad was a blacksmith so he grew up with using knives.

I have had a Buck odyssey for years ,it was one of my first knives and it was 420HC and very easy to sharpen. I did break the tip off though but easily reground it back a little shorter.

Great looking edge once again, HD. I think the Bird Dog has a great shape for a slicer; I'm glad I was able to get one (a huge thank-you again, Dan and Patti).

you're very kind in your words, vic. that factory edge looked terrible.

in light of what you've said about ats-34, i wonder how well you get along with s30v.

i've never once sharpened my zdp-189 delica, and i'm scared to try. then there's my 154cm ZT0200. no clue what i'm gonna do about that recurved blade, but i've been tempted to try the belt sander.

Go for it, Magnum. The belt sander is the way to go on these hard steels. Just start with a 80 to 120 grit in the BDLE and MPLE. I have used the belt sander with very fine grit to polish and sharpen S30V and 154CM folders, but those knives came sharp. The HCLE was the first knife I ever reprofiled in such hard steel. It heats up fast so keep the water handy.

yeah. i'm not so in love with my zt0200 anymore, particularly because i want it as sharp as the knives i shrpen myself on the belt sander or flat stones, but that recurve will be trouble.

still haven't finished that golok. just keep avoiding it. also noticed some BRKT's still for sale on some sites. $200...i've blown more on less.

Magnum,

If your skill level is like mine I would start the difficult blade shapes with a light polishing or well used belt having coloured the edge and get the right hand movements down before beginning the task in earnest with the heavy grit belts. Making an error on these is costly in terms of the knife.

I made a few errors like this....then figured out a way to help myself get a bit better at it.

vic, that looks like it could be the best user i have ever seen. comfy handle, good stee, and a super sharp blade. nice work !

Mag,
A big 1" ceramic sharpening rod will do wonders for that recurve. It will take a little patience though.