Am I the only one?

draperfish

draperfish

Gold Member
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
596
When ever I get a new knife no matter how sharp it is, the first thing I do is sharpen it using whatever my current method is, right now it's Japanese water stones. I can't help myself, I find a lot of pleasure in sharpening the blade, and for some reason I always feel like a factory edge is inferior. Is this normal or am I an OCD knife nut? I get more pleasure working the water stones than I do from cutting things. :D
 
Not me. I catch and release too much. I only sharpen if needed especially if im not sure its a keeper. In the past i would put a hair popping mirror edge on everything. It actually made it hard to move a knife later on.
 
Good point, I've learned the hard way!

PURPLEDC said:
Not me. I catch and release too much. I only sharpen if needed especially if im not sure its a keeper. In the past i would put a hair popping mirror edge on everything. It actually made it hard to move a knife later on.
Click to expand...
 
I have enjoyed sharpening knives since I learned how to get them shaving sharp at about 13 years of age. It was shortly after WI I and my friends dad was a Marine during the war. He took us camping a good bit and liked Camillus knives of all types. He taught me and I have not been able to leave one alone since. As you say, the implements have changed many times in 50 years. But I still love a hard Arkansas stone with honing oil.
 
I use the knife for a few days to see how the edge angle performs. In virtually every case, I reprofile the knife.
 
I don't sharpen new knives either. They are usually very sharp as it is right out of the box or bag. I typically use a specific knife until it gets dull and doesn't cut, then I match the factory edge. The whole adding a 20 degree inclusive mirror polished up to 150K grit phase didn't last long with me, it was actually about 5 knives. If I don't know if I am going to keep something, turning a new or like new knife into a used knife within seconds doesn't bode well for recouping costs.
 
I sharpen, or at least strop, all my new knives if the factory edge isn't good enough.

When carrying a certain knife for a few days, I'll strop it as soon as the edge starts to lose a bit of sharpness.
 
Step by step
1)try knife with factory edge
2) try to convince myself factory edge is good enough
3) take it to the stone and set the edge the way I like it.
 
It depends on the knife and my mood. I might use it a bit. I usually sharpen it way before it needs it.

Sharpening a new knife is a way of expressing yourself! It makes it "yours" instead of just something you bought.
 
Yes I sharpen up / reprofile a new knife after it arrives.

here is my current set up
Gatco Tri Hone
extra small - hard arkansas, on black stone
Black arkansas stone
leather belt with white & green compound

Trying to get mirror edges but still working on my technique, Heel and tip mostly

dnzytg.jpg
 
Yeah, it depends on the knife. Most cheaper knives just don't have the right geometry at the edge, or even behind the edge. Most need major thinning. If it is a more expensive, better made production knife like Shun, the edge is usually done fairly well.

Here is the thing, unless it is a custom knife done by a custom maker, most knives are sharpened in the factory with powered systems. Read......over-tempering the edge!!!! So sometimes even expensive knives are a little soft at the factory edge apex and benefit greatly by hand honing.
 
It depends on the knife and steel for me. If I am unsure if the knife will stay I will leave the edge aside from a little stropping. If the knife is a keeper then it depends on the steel. If it is a super steel I will sharpen it because my kit is better than factory tools for carbides, but if it isn't a carbide steel I will leave a shaving sharp edge alone.
 
This is me. The only reason I even buy knives anymore is so I can sharpen them. :D


Student762 said:
Step by step
1)try knife with factory edge
2) try to convince myself factory edge is good enough
3) take it to the stone and set the edge the way I like it.
Click to expand...
 
Holy Cow, I thought I just had a problem. I find myself reworking the edge of just about everything I buy (except for higher end knives that actually have even and sharp bevels). I just cannot stand uneven bevels from one side to the other. Plus, I like my edges just a little less "toothy" than come from most manufacturers. There are only a few knives that I've done a full polish on, but I just like even, smooth, and razor sharp blades. Currently using the KME, but keep a couple Sharpmakers and Edge Pro's on hand for those that just fit better.

So I guess the only thing left to say is....."Hi, my name is Bflying, and I have a sharpening addiction."
 
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