Recommendation? Automatic Knife Sharpening

[Dr. Dingus]

Hello all! I'm new here, and I have been struggling with one thing recently: Where to send automatic knives to be sharpened. Every place that sharpens blades around me (Pittsburgh, PA) won't touch automatic knives, despite them being legal since 2023. The same goes for swords. Does anyone know of any service (near or far) that would accommodate my needs? Thanks in advance, everyone!

~ D.D.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

It's not hard to learn to do it yourself. People have been sharpening knives since the iron age.

 

[GreX]

I'm sure there's someone on here that would lend a hand, if they're local. I'd do it, but not local. I've put edges on UTX, UTX-85, and UTX-70 - the 70 has been the most difficult, due to small size and a dagger blade, but still was able to put a mirror on them.

Or as Bill said, learn the skill, it's fun and will be something you can do for all your knives.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

It's not hard to learn to do it yourself. People have been sharpening knives since the iron age.

I have tried at it, and I am abysmal at it. I'd really like to not ruin $400 knives. I once tried to spend a whole week learning to sharpen a Ka-Bar. By the time I was done with it, a butter knife would have been more impressive. It also comes down to a lack of time, not counting work/life, I have a giant collection of guns/blades that I am constantly cleaning.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

I'm sure there's someone on here that would lend a hand, if they're local. I'd do it, but not local. I've put edges on UTX, UTX-85, and UTX-70 - the 70 has been the most difficult, due to small size and a dagger blade, but still was able to put a mirror on them.

Or as Bill said, learn the skill, it's fun and will be something you can do for all your knives.

I've watched tutorials online, and had a friend who who was good try and show me (sadly he isn't around anymore), and he said I was a lost cause at it.

 

[DocJD]

he said I was a lost cause at it.

Maybe not the best teacher attitude there ?

Not everyone can freehand, but I think most can master a guided system .

Might try a Spyderco Sharpmaker to start with . Practice on some cheap knives with easier steel (softer) .

This is a very good place to learn .

 

[killgar]

Just curious, but what type of switchblade is it? Some types don't lend themselves to being sharpened, and/or were never intended to be sharpened (like some Italian stilettos with bayonet blades).

 

[jjg6319]

I second the suggestion to try a Sharpmaker. If you watch the video from Sal before you buy one you will get a sense of how easy it is.

You say you own some guns and I expect you have taken some to a gunsmith only to be disappointed with their skill level or lack thereof. You very well could end up in the same situation if you have your knives sharpened. If you have your knives sharpened make sure the guy knows what he is doing.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

Maybe not the best teacher attitude there ?

Not everyone can freehand, but I think most can master a guided system .

Might try a Spyderco Sharpmaker to start with . Practice on some cheap knives with easier steel (softer) .

This is a very good place to learn .

I know what you mean, and while I agree I should strive for self efficiency, I know my current limitations, and have no want to destroy more knives. I actually was just looking at that exact sharpener. I have a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 that I recently got that I absolutely love. It is probably my favorite manual knife. I like it better than my Benchmade 940.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

Just curious, but what type of switchblade is it? Some types don't lend themselves to being sharpened, and/or were never intended to be sharpened (like some Italian stilettos with bayonet blades).

I have a few Frank Beltrame models & a few Latama switchblades. I got the FB first, and after I saw his work, I was going for the gold. After hearing Latama was the Ferrari of Italian switchblades (Made by FB) I had to jump the gun and bite the bullet. They are all bolster swivel, by the way. Not picklocks.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

I second the suggestion to try a Sharpmaker. If you watch the video from Sal before you buy one you will get a sense of how easy it is.

You say you own some guns and I expect you have taken some to a gunsmith only to be disappointed with their skill level or lack thereof. You very well could end up in the same situation if you have your knives sharpened. If you have your knives sharpened make sure the guy knows what he is doing.

Actually, my gunsmith is excellent. He taught me a great deal! If I had the same skill with blades as I do with guns, I be 100% fine. I get what you are putting down, though!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

At least some, if not many reputable knife manufacturers offer sharpening service for the knives they make, usually for a small fee. If you haven't already looked into that, it might be worthwhile.

Otherwise, I'd 2nd the suggestion to look into using a guided system of some sort, if you're not comfortable sharpening freehand.

 

[killgar]

I have a few Frank Beltrame models & a few Latama switchblades. I got the FB first, and after I saw his work, I was going for the gold. After hearing Latama was the Ferrari of Italian switchblades (Made by FB) I had to jump the gun and bite the bullet. They are all bolster swivel, by the way. Not picklocks.

Those are perfect examples of switchblades that are not meant to be sharpened. Modern Latama stilettos have narrow 5mm thick blades with even narrower grinds ( dagger and bayonet blades). No one is going to be able to put any kind of actual cutting edge on them, not unless they regrind the blades a lot thinner.

Same goes with the current Frank Beltrame brand stilettos with bayonet and dagger blades. Although they have slightly thinner blades, 4mm, again, they are very narrow with even narrower grinds.

Those switchblades were never meant for cutting and are more novelties than knives. I call them "novelties" because I doubt that either Frank Beltrame (maker), or Walt Halucha (owner of Latama) actually intend the knives to ever be used as weapons.

If however you have a Frank Beltrame stiletto with a full flat ground blade, those can be sharpened and used to cut stuff to some degree.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

Those are perfect examples of switchblades that are not meant to be sharpened. Modern Latama stilettos have narrow 5mm thick blades with even narrower grinds ( dagger and bayonet blades). No one is going to be able to put any kind of actual cutting edge on them, not unless they regrind the blades a lot thinner.

Same goes with the current Frank Beltrame brand stilettos with bayonet and dagger blades. Although they have slightly thinner blades, 4mm, again, they are very narrow with even narrower grinds.

Those switchblades were never meant for cutting and are more novelties than knives. I call them "novelties" because I doubt that either Frank Beltrame (maker), or Walt Halucha (owner of Latama) actually intend the knives to ever be used as weapons.

If however you have a Frank Beltrame stiletto with a full flat ground blade, those can be sharpened and used to cut stuff to some degree.

I know they aren't meant to be sharpened, but Latama still offered service when I checked. I'm aware they aren't meant to cut, but all my models are butter knife level sharp, and missing the blade tips. That is unacceptable to me, considering I have friends with the same switchblades I have (same grind/type/etcetera) that are pretty damn sharp and pointy.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

These leave my other automatics (various OTF/OTS) that need some work done at some point. As I've stated, no one around here touches autos at all. Online, Microtech won't work on my Ultratech as I am not the original owner. Kershaw/Benchmade/Spyderco/Gerber won't work on any of their knives for the same reasons. Even though their websites say they offer repair services for any of their products, new and old. I find it funny. I'm not looking for free warranty repairs. I'd glady pay them for service. At this point, I'm left to "attempt" to service the blades, fail, and repurchase these expensive blades.

 

[killgar]

I know they aren't meant to be sharpened, but Latama still offered service when I checked. I'm aware they aren't meant to cut, but all my models are butter knife level sharp, and missing the blade tips. That is unacceptable to me, considering I have friends with the same switchblades I have (same grind/type/etcetera) that are pretty damn sharp and pointy.

Did someone at Latama tell you that they offer sharpening for their stilettos? I can't find anything on their website about sharpening services.

How did your friends stilettos get so sharp? Did they have someone do it for them, or did they come that way from the seller?

If a knife purchased new is missing the blade tip, it should have been sent back. Especially one costing hundreds of dollars. It's my understanding that Latama is very good at taking care of unsatisfied customers.

Where to send automatic knives to be sharpened.

Does anyone know of any service (near or far) that would accommodate my needs? Thanks in advance, everyone!

If Latama offers sharpening services like you said, then that should have been your first choice.




.

 

[Dr. Dingus]

Did someone at Latama tell you that they offer sharpening for their stilettos? I can't find anything on their website about sharpening services.

How did your friends stilettos get so sharp? Did they have someone do it for them, or did they come that way from the seller?

If a knife purchased new is missing the blade tip, it should have been sent back. Especially one costing hundreds of dollars. It's my understanding that Latama is very good at taking care of unsatisfied customers.






If Latama offers sharpening services like you said, then that should have been your first choice.




.

Someone named Mickey Beep messaged me after I sent a request to talk to Walt at Latama. He said he will help me out, although he did warn he wouldn't be able to do very much with my switchblades. Oh, and I was mistaken. Latama doesn't mention sharpening/repair services on their site, but someone from another site said they could still help. I was also informed by other people on other forums that even though Latama are the top end makers of switchblades that scuffs, dull blades, and round tip/chipped tips are extremely common, as all blades are handmade. I'm at little disappointed, as they cost so much. I guess I wasn't aware they are basically just items to put in a case to look at. I thought they could be at least used to open letters. As for my friends, they told me they just got lucky and relieved very good models/had some random guy on the internet work on the blades.

 

[Drop bear]

I have tried at it, and I am abysmal at it. I'd really like to not ruin $400 knives. I once tried to spend a whole week learning to sharpen a Ka-Bar. By the time I was done with it, a butter knife would have been more impressive. It also comes down to a lack of time, not counting work/life, I have a giant collection of guns/blades that I am constantly cleaning.

On a Stone?

Or on a machine like a work sharp?

Otherwise a strop is hard to mess up.

 

[killgar]

Someone named Mickey Beep messaged me after I sent a request to talk to Walt at Latama. He said he will help me out, although he did warn he wouldn't be able to do very much with my switchblades. Oh, and I was mistaken. Latama doesn't mention sharpening/repair services on their site, but someone from another site said they could still help. I was also informed by other people on other forums that even though Latama are the top end makers of switchblades that scuffs, dull blades, and round tip/chipped tips are extremely common, as all blades are handmade. I'm at little disappointed, as they cost so much. I guess I wasn't aware they are basically just items to put in a case to look at. I thought they could be at least used to open letters. As for my friends, they told me they just got lucky and relieved very good models/had some random guy on the internet work on the blades.

I know who Mickey Beep is, he's the best. You'll be in good hands.

He's a member here, under a different name.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I'm mickeybeep. I do Latama's repairs.