Best Approach for New Knife Edges- (for a knife dummy)

scorpnsnake

scorpnsnake

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Thank you in advance for your time and assistance/opinions.


Cliff Notes for those who prefer less babel-

Objective: Locate best type of service to correct edges and sharpen new knives for an ideal starting point

Equipment: BM/ CLA DP/ Magnacut 3.5", Protech Runt 5/ reverse tonto/ Magnacut 1.95"

Primary Concerns: Best methods and type of service provider (knife sharpening service, gun/knife shop, gun/knife show, etc.) for the task


I'm new to the scene. Been carrying and using pocket knives most of my life. Aside from researching here and there before buying knives as gifts, I have so much to learn. Please forgive me for any incorrect nomenclature, and/or any other annoying rookie mistakes. I really have tried to google-fu/site search some answers on this, but just can't seem to put the pieces together in a way that leaves me confident on the correct path forward.

I have a few new knives, and would like to have the edges refined and sharpened while they are fresh. Both are not very sharp and one is noticeably uneven, as they came. Both are magnacut, one 3.5" DP and one 1.95" reverse tonto. I love a sharp and slicey edge and will use them for reasonable daily tasks such as clam-shell packaging, boxes, zip ties, dried sausage, basic stuff. No prying, abusing or neglecting, I have tools for that.

Problem is that I'm not sure where to begin, I searched for sharpening pros in my area, San Antonio TX. I'm finding that the local guy that has the best google reviews (I know but have to start someplace), states that they us KO Worksharp belt set-ups. Which I'm a tad familiar with because I've given several as gifts, never used one, but get the concept. I have no doubt that he can get them plenty sharp, especially considering that he does this day in and day out. But is that the best approach/method for a new knife edge? Will it remove too much steel, or be less than optimal for any other reason?

Would a stone for correcting edge and stropping for finishing be better? Do people generally do that type of service?

Also, with relatively easy duty and a preference for as close to razor as possible, are there any other considerations that you feel would be helpful? Recommended angles, rules of thumb or anything at all that will help a dummy get it right?

Eventually, my goal is to be acceptably self sufficient at sharpening but don't want to learn on these. My thought is to get a pro to get the edges right, as sharp as possible and I can ease in with light maintenance thereafter to learn.

Thank you again for any feedback. Even constructive criticism is valued here.
 
You have to start somewhere....
I say get some cheap knives, and go to town.




I finish on bench stones., By hand. By eye.

My edges look like crap, they are slightly irregular, wavey, wonky.
But they are SHARP!

I make working knives, they get Used. Not showpieces.
Showpieces don't get sharpened, don't get used.


I asked a few of my trusted, big names (here) customers if I should get a guided system.
They said NO.


Looks are Looks.
Good Sharpness is different.


Look for flat, saber, and convex edges to sharpen. Easier.
 
If you are wanting to sharpen your knives I would recommend getting some cheaper knives and diamond plates since you will eventually be sharpening high carbide knives, Start practicing on the cheaper knives using a sharpie it mark your edges so you can see what you are grinding on your knives. Read the stickies above. And watch what you are doing. I do have a system for my larger kitchen knives as I just can’t keep a consistent angel on them. If I have not sharpened in a while or start having a problem I go back through the stickies above. I always learning something new or relearNing what I forgot.
 
Well the is a lot you could learn about sharpening from reading the stickied posts in this subforum. A couple quick points:

An actual razor edge dulls quickly in regular use. Some steels will hold it longer than others, also depending on their heat treat. If you want to keep razor edges on knives that get used, you will need to pay someone frequently or learn to sharpen. Some people learn quickly and do a great job, others (me) don't. Maybe I need steadier hands, but I have resorted to a WS guided system which is slow but gets good results on pocket knives (kitchen knives too big).

A worksharp powered system will work well in the hands of an experienced user. It will remove more steel than by hand, and the edge will be slightly convex. Do you care? Also you can call the guy to express your concerns and desires and see what he says.
 
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Lots of great points there and I appreciate it.

Damn good idea on some cheap practice knives, didn't even think of that.

Your creations look amazing and it sounds like you give the buyers just what they need.

Pretty falls way under does the work in the list of importance for me. :)
 
fishface5 said:
Well the is a lot you could learn about sharpening from reading the stickied posts in this subforum. A couple quick points:

An actual razor edge dulls quickly in regular use. Some steels will hold it longer than others, also depending on their heat treat. If you want to keep razor edges on knives that get used, you will need to pay someone frequently or learn to sharpen. Some people learn quickly and do a great job, others (me) don't. Maybe I need steadier hands, but I have resorted to a WS guided system which is slow but gets good results on pocket knives (kitchen knives too big).

A worksharp powered system will work well in the hands of an experienced user. It will remove more steel than by hand, and the edge will be slightly convex. Do you care? Also you can call the guy to express your concerns and desires and see what he says.
Click to expand...

Roger on all! After digesting all of the stickies, it's evident, I'll be paying for sharpening service for a long while lol. Grateful for the guidance Sir.

I will call him, but folks generally tend to sell their method. Suppose I really meant razor sharp within the reasonable limits of the blades, but that term is much more specific around here.
 
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I taught both my son and son in law how to sharpen knives using some cheap dollar store knives. I showed them how and explained some simple principles then let them have at it. I showed them how to dull it so they can practice some more. Didn't take them long to figure it out. BTW I taught them how to freehand sharpen on my Norton India stone.

Ric
 
Another Shepherd said:
Or you could ship the knives to Knife Grinders in Australia and get them genuinely sharper than razor sharp, that is, under BESS 50.
Click to expand...

Better yet, I could take them to Australia for that treatment :). Three of the best weeks of my life were over there many moons ago.

I certainly wouldn't mind the trouble or expense to get them to a world class pro. But both of these are auto ots. Surely there is something similar in Texas so I don't have to ship across state lines.
 
Phydeaux said:
I taught both my son and son in law how to sharpen knives using some cheap dollar store knives. I showed them how and explained some simple principles then let them have at it. I showed them how to dull it so they can practice some more. Didn't take them long to figure it out. BTW I taught them how to freehand sharpen on my Norton India stone.

Ric
Click to expand...

That's real Dad stuff right there. Those two are lucky to have you.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Do people generally do that type of service?
Click to expand...
To pay someone to sharpen their knives?
No, not arround here where I live.

scorpnsnake said:
Eventually, my goal is to be acceptably self sufficient at sharpening but don't want to learn on these.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, that's confusing.
You want to be independent if I understand correctly..... to take care of your knives by yourself but you don't want to learn how to sharpen?
My bad english I guess.
Or is it you want to learn how to sharpen but not on your expensive knives?
Buy a cheap knife and star learning.
 
TheOne45 said:
To pay someone to sharpen their knives?
No, not arround here where I live.


Hmmm, that's confusing.
You want to be independent if I understand correctly..... to take care of your knives by yourself but you don't want to learn how to sharpen?
My bad english I guess.
Or is it you want to learn how to sharpen but not on your expensive knives?
Buy a cheap knife and star learning.
Click to expand...

You summed it up well.

I'm going to take the suggestions here, get some gear and a few practice knives to learn on.

At the same time, I'd like to have these dialed in right awayish. Free time isn't abundant, so I imagine a service will be required while skills are acquired.

Researching good starter gear time.
 
Would something like this work for a beginner?



I'm planning to get a boot holster and a few fixed blades to practice with to start. No matter how ugly I make them, they'll be in my boot. lol
 
First off, don't use or let anybody use a dry belt on your Magnacut blades.

Second, I suggest to start with a single good medium whetstone (600-800dpi), my favorite is the Spyderco Medium Ceramic. Will give you a slightly coarse edge that will hold and perform for a long time.

After a few uses, clean the stone with Bartenders Helper.

Start on a cheap knife, use Sharpie.
 
ferider said:
First off, don't use or let anybody use a dry belt on your Magnacut blades.

Second, I suggest to start with a single good medium whetstone (600-800dpi), my favorite is the Spyderco Medium Ceramic. Will give you a slightly coarse edge that will hold and perform for a long time.

After a few uses, clean the stone with Bartenders Helper.

Start on a cheap knife, use Sharpie.
Click to expand...

Right on! Thank you for this.
 
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