Anyone sharpen rats with the sandpaper/mousepad method?

Thalestin

Thalestin

Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
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I don't have any rats yet and was just wondering if anyone uses this method on their rats. I really like convex edges and was thinking about using this method on my rats when they need a sharpen. Any thoughts?
 
I have done it with my rc-6, but I feel the rc6 is too big for that method.
 
lukacsmihaly said:
I sharpen my Izula that way and it works just fine. Give it a few strops after that and it will be razorsharp. I use this little thingy I got from KnivesShipFree on my small blades:
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Complete-Sharpening-Kit-for-Field-or-Home-w-Black-OtterBox
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That's a cool kit. What size knives have you sued this on? I was curious about the sandpaper and strop method too, glad this was asked. One could probably make a similar waterproof box setup like that too.
 
nc527 said:
I have done it with my rc-6, but I feel the rc6 is too big for that method.
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Why would it be to big? I use this method quite a bit on machetes and have zero issues with them being to big. It may take longer, but no real problems. I think the 6 would be a breeze to sharpen & touch up this way.
 
Odaon said:
That's a cool kit. What size knives have you sued this on? I was curious about the sandpaper and strop method too, glad this was asked. One could probably make a similar waterproof box setup like that too.
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Very cool, indeed. I use it to sharpen knives with a cutting edge from 2 3/4 or 3 3/4 inches, like the small Workhorse and the large Workhorse from BlindHorseKnives, and even a Bark River Aurora which has a larger blade. However for really large blades a would say this: http://www.jreindustries.com/strops.htm is the perfect tool. As for sandpaper I just cut stripes 'bout 2 inches wide a tighten them to a piece of wood with the same width. I start with black compound and work my way to some green compound. Took some nasty dents out of the cutting edge of my Aurora with this method. I use the same stuff for my Izula as well and it works just fine, cuts like a razor.
 
I sharpen my izula with sandpaper up to 600 and than switch to micromesh from 1500 to 12000, and after that i strop it on some chrome polish that we had laying around :D
 
I still have a lot to learn. I use a Lansky sharpener, what type of edge does that method provide? What other methods are there and do they have specific uses?
 
This will put a convex edge on your knives. I am also getting the same kit from KSF. I love using strops on my knives. Works great!

Thanks for all the responses. I was going to sharpen with this method anyways, but was just curious to see what others did:)

Have a good day guys, time fr work for me
 
Can you do a non-convex edge if you don't use anything soft under the sandpaper? Just lay it on a table or something?
 
I just started practicing this method with my RC-3. I still need a leather strop. It get's it really sharp, but for some reason I can't get it semi-hairpoping with 2000 grit....
 
Odaon said:
Can you do a non-convex edge if you don't use anything soft under the sandpaper? Just lay it on a table or something?
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Nah, man, it doesn't work that way. You need something under it, a piece of wood 1 inch thick is usually enough. Remember that you're supposed to keep a 20 degree angle when sharpening Rat knives.
 
I've convexed my RC-6 with a piece of blue foam mat and sandpaper. It took a while but the end result was worth it.
 
I have also used this method on blades much larger than then the RC6. It works just fine.
 
lukacsmihaly said:
Nah, man, it doesn't work that way. You need something under it, a piece of wood 1 inch thick is usually enough. Remember that you're supposed to keep a 20 degree angle when sharpening Rat knives.
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Right. So will sand paper and a strop sharpen a knife's 20 degree edge and keep it 20 degree? What I'm saying is I've only heard of using the sandpaper with something soft under it, so could you remove to soft things and replace it with something hard to get the same sharpening effects, just not convex? Or will this process convex a blade, which isn't a bad thing.
 
I don't worry about 20 deg edges. Who said they have to be 20? I use sandpaper over thin foam and find it will put a great edge on a RAT.

601244815_ZeN5M-L.jpg
 
Good shot Rotte. I convex all my knives that come supplied with V-grinds including all my Rats. Convexing helps particularly with coated bladed knives as you can see in Rotte's shot above. The process not only flattens the bevel to improve the gut, but it also smoothens and wears the coating at the convex bevel edge which helps decrease friction on the slice.

IMO convexing a coated blade like the RATs offers better slicing improvement than removing the coating and keeping the v-grind.
 
kgd said:
Good shot Rotte. I convex all my knives that come supplied with V-grinds including all my Rats. Convexing helps particularly with coated bladed knives as you can see in Rotte's shot above. The process not only flattens the bevel to improve the gut, but it also smoothens and wears the coating at the convex bevel edge which helps decrease friction on the slice.

IMO convexing a coated blade like the RATs offers better slicing improvement than removing the coating and keeping the v-grind.
Click to expand...

Do you just convex them with the sandpaper method?
 
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