Knife Sharpening

[ddenny5]

I use a smooth Arkansas stone with honing oil. I set the angle and make small circles. The end result depending on the quality of the steel will be a very sharp blade.

 

[ddenny5]

I use a smooth Arkansas stone with honing oil. I set the angle and make small circles. The end result depending on the quality of the steel will be a very sharp blade.

 

[RTDoug]

I used to use Arkansas stones and oil.

After reading about and buying convex edged knives I changed my mind.

Convex grinds and edges seem sharper, last longer and are easier to maintain, at leasts to me.

By geometry the edge is supported my more metal.

Now, with my freehand stone sharpening it is evident that a convex edge is formed anyway.

The convex ground knives I have were the sharpest out of the box I have ever seen....bar none.

That being what it is, MHO, I now use a mousepad and fine sandpaper.

Starting at 400 grit on a dull blade, working up thru the grades to 2000.

Then onto a leather strop I made, imbedded on one side with black polishing compound, then green on the other for final polish.

The hollow ground and flat ground blades I have all are now convex edged.

My .02

Regards

 

[danielocean03]

I've got a Lansky kit, and some blades I can get super, super sharp, and others I can't get an edge on no matter how hard I try. I know there must be a difference in blade steel and/or angle, but I've tried and tried on some that I just couldn't get as sharp as I like and I took them to the 1500 for Graham and Susie of Knife Sharpest to take care of.

 

[danielocean03]

* On another note about sharpening, do those long belt-sharpening systems alter the heat treat of some steels in any fashion? I don't want to ruin that on one of my new RAT knifes, or better if I pull the trigger on a Busse / Bussekin knife.

 

[tyler34]

* On another note about sharpening, do those long belt-sharpening systems alter the heat treat of some steels in any fashion? I don't want to ruin that on one of my new RAT knifes, or better if I pull the trigger on a Busse / Bussekin knife.

not if you use them right and don't allow the belts to heat them up by making quicker passes and have a bucket of cold water nearby to dunk the knife into.

 

[WhitleyStu]

These are the two machines I use most.
Tormek…

1”x30” leather power strop…

 

[Woodsman]

Has anyone used one of these? They are from a fellow Hoosier...

America Stone

Any feedback?

 

[HICKMAN]

I think I'm going to follow the methods shown here:

KnivesShipFree.com - Convex Sharpening Videos - Convex Sharpening Videos

Ordered the Bark River compounds and picked up some leather today to build my own strop.

Just need to pick up some 2000 grit sandpaper.

 

[tyler34]

Just need to pick up some 2000 grit sandpaper.

wal-mart in the automotive section

 

[RTDoug]

I think I'm going to follow the methods shown here:

KnivesShipFree.com - Convex Sharpening Videos - Convex Sharpening Videos

Ordered the Bark River compounds and picked up some leather today to build my own strop.

Just need to pick up some 2000 grit sandpaper.

Woodcraft in Castleton has a good selection too, along with compounds.

Regards

 

[tyler34]

Woodcraft in Castleton has a good selection too, along with compounds.

Regards

yeah they have micron paper there

 

[HICKMAN]

wal-mart in the automotive section

do you strop yours as well?

 

[tyler34]

do you strop yours as well?

I have a power strop on my sander but I don't convex a lot of my knives, just personal preference.

 

[PwrCruz]

Lansky and a strope.

 

[C.H.U.D.]

diamond stone and a carbonite razer stone and a strop

 

[RTDoug]

I think I'm going to follow the methods shown here:

KnivesShipFree.com - Convex Sharpening Videos - Convex Sharpening Videos

Ordered the Bark River compounds and picked up some leather today to build my own strop.

Just need to pick up some 2000 grit sandpaper.

This link may help also...

Sharpness and Steel Type? - Knifeforums.com - Intelligent Discussion for the Knife Enthusiast - Powered by FusionBB

 

[Sweet James]

A Shrade Old Timer Hone Steel does it for me. Best to get them second hand on Ebay or the like.

 

[Zoub]

These are the two machines I use most.
Tormek…

1”x30” leather power strop…

Pure goodness. I have said for 15 years or more I am going to get a Tormek, one of these days..............one of these days. But I could never give up all my stones and oil.

At the other end of the spectrum hard to beat a diamond steel hone for quick touches in the field on larger working knives. Sharp as hell and fast but not meant for every knife.