Any "old school" sharpeners out there?

Freehand is the only way to go. It's elitist of me, but if you don't learn to sharpen freehand, you don't care enough about your knives for me to care about your opinion about knives. With the new abrasives and whatnot, there is no "hard to sharpen" knife.
 
warden41272 said:
Freehand is the only way to go. It's elitist of me, but if you don't learn to sharpen freehand, you don't care enough about your knives for me to care about your opinion about knives. With the new abrasives and whatnot, there is no "hard to sharpen" knife.
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Well, I don't know if I'd go that far. It's kind of like condemning someone for using a power saw to build a house rather than a hand saw. I think everyone, no matter what method of sharpening works for them have valid opinions. I also think they care for their knives just as much as anyone else.

I enjoy using my EdgePro, but in the past year I have really been working on my free hand sharpening. Most folks would have a great sense of satisfaction in learning how to sharpen free hand, I know I have. But I don't think any less of folks if they don't sharpen free hand.
 
You're probably right. I guess I just think you oughta be able to sharpen without an "aid". For me, it's more a matter of being able to maintain my knife anywhere, not just where I have my technical gewgaws with me. Badly stated on my part, though.
 
I use wet stones a razor hone and if out and about hunting or at work I roll my truck window down half way and use the rounded edge of the window.
 
I used to sharpen freehand, but once I got an Edgepro, there was no looking back. I don't care if it's traditional or not, the results are undeniable. As a side benefit, it has helped my freehand skills, as it is easy to see the results as they are happening. So for me it's about 70% Edgepro, and 30% freehand. I've been sharpening for over 30 years also, not that it matters.

I wish the Edgepro would have been invented 30 years ago, would have saved me a lot of aggravation and trial and error. All I want is a sharp knife, and I don't care how it gets there, as long as too much metal isn't removed.
 
I sharpen freehand when I'm doing slipjoints and carbon blades, but when it comes to D2,VG-10 and ATS 34 I go with the gizmos all the way. I just can't seem to get good results higher up on the Rockwell scale.
 
I always sharpen freehand.Being able to sharpen anywhere is important to me .It also cuts down on extra weight and bulk when in the bush or travelling light (by using only a compact sharpener)
 
I learned how to sharpen on stones from my dad many years ago. I tried all the new style sharpeners, including lansky and spyderco but was not happy with the results. I relearned a few years ago, when I got some lessons at the Blade show in Atlanta from JpN and the Boses. JpN took me around the show and fixed me up with the tools they use... EZLap diamond stones (precision metal plates with diamond coating) and Lansky ceramic dogbones. They taught me that you have to "feel and hear" the correct angle, alternate strokes, and keep the angle steady. Very few strokes are needed to keep a well made blade razor sharp.
 
When I'm out on a camping trip, hiking, or fishing, and I perchance want to touch up an edge, it's highly unlikely that I'll have access to any kind of 'sharpening kit.'

I sharpen freehand.

Peace.
 
Well, I'm an "old school" sharpener because stones are all that I have! I used to be pretty bad at sharpening freehand, but never had the money to get soething like the Sharpmaker, so I toughed it out, learned some tips, and now am actually okay at it.
 
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