Am I Doing It Wrong?

C

c10darren

Joined
Nov 30, 2011
Messages
196
So, I just bought my Big Dummy (BK2) a nice new Norton stone. Now I just have to re-learn how to sharpen it. Haven't done any serious sharpening since I was a wee-little Boy Scout. But I digress...

I have noticed 2 things in particular:

1) I can't tell if its getting sharp or if I just have a big burr building up. It feels rough when I thumb it across the edge. I get the feeling that as soon as I take the knife to a piece of wood, the burr is gonna come off and I'll be left with a dull BK2 again.

2) When I look at the edge, I can see the raw steel vs the black coating (obviously, but hold on). The edge (raw steel) is much more narrow near the handle. From there, it gets wider as it moves down the blade. It probably reaches its widest near where the blade starts to curve and then either stays the same or maybe narrows just a bit on its way to the point.

Am I doing it wrong? I'm just not sure what these things mean. The Big Dummy is a great knife and deserves to be nice and sharp. I just have to learn!
 
If you want to make sure you're sharpening to the edge, color on the edge with sharpie. Then you'll be able to see if you're sharpening to the edge. Do that on each side until you get a burr going. Then strop off the burr, or use a finer stone, or whatever you use to finish it off. Make sure you're keeping the same angle throughout.
 
And patience, patiience, patience...
I find if I just take my time and do a thourough job (instead of checking the edge every two or three stokes) the result is a sharp blade.
I still don't have a strop.
I just give it a few light strokes on a ceramic rod after the stone.
 
Don't even try to test the edge without stroping. It's amazing what a difference it makes. You might be doin a lot better than you think!
All the best
Balding
 
And hold your mouth right! :p
The tip about the Sharpie is a good one. Angle is everything, and you need some feedback on where you're removing metal.
 
Angle is everything. Got it.

Now to some minor points that were brought up... I know nothing about strops. What should I get for a newbie? Is sharpie gonna be obvious on the black finish on my knife? or will it wash off? (obviously I'll try to just keep it on the steel. Lets be honest though, that may not work out.)
 
Being able to sharpen good isn't something that just happens over night, it takes time and lots of practice especially with a stone. The marker tip is a great one, also you can lay the blade flat on its side then slowly rock the blade upward until the edge just meets the stone. when you do this just the surface area of the edge/bevel should come in contact with the stone. Also take your time, speed is not an issue as much as pressure. Angle,pressure and and technique is key. Just keep trying you'll get it.
 
Pick up some Old Hickorys (or similar) at yardsales and practice. Best way to learn.
 
I know it takes practice, practice, practice... Got it.

But if I'm doing it wrong and practicing bad habits, I would like to know. Anyone have any thoughts on the edge thickness issue?
 
Sharpie will wipe right off of your coating, but if you put it on and run the knife over the stone, check to see what was ground away. It really is a good way to get visual feedback on if your angle is too high or too low.

Also, if you can get good pics of the bevel edge, that would help. I think I know what you are saying about the thickness, but I could be wrong. Typically, when people sharpen the curve, they don't lift the edge high enough, and it actually gives you a lower angle (i.e. - 30 inclusive, as opposed to 40 inclusive).
 
mrn8 said:
Sharpie will wipe right off of your coating, but if you put it on and run the knife over the stone, check to see what was ground away. It really is a good way to get visual feedback on if your angle is too high or too low.

Also, if you can get good pics of the bevel edge, that would help. I think I know what you are saying about the thickness, but I could be wrong. Typically, when people sharpen the curve, they don't lift the edge high enough, and it actually gives you a lower angle (i.e. - 30 inclusive, as opposed to 40 inclusive).
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I don't have a decent camera with me, but if I can get a good picture with my camera phone I'll post it. I'll certainly give the marker tip a try. I did it on a stainless folder I have and it seemed like a good trick.
 
Wo0T!!!!

Sharpening!!!!! So much to know, so much to learn, so much that has been learned and forgotten, the relearned again!!!!

So far, great info.

Here's is the best advice that anyone can get regarding sharpening anything, buy a book.

Sharpening Made Easy, by Steve Bottorff. Costs about $7.

Or, just go here, http://sharpeningmadeeasy.com/

You will learn more about sharpening in an hour, than most learn in a lifetime. I promise.

:D

Moose
 
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