best method

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DeLightsabor

Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Messages
81
What would be the best/easiest/least expencive way to sharpen a knife


I always take mine to a neigbors house and use their "pull through plastic" sharpeners and they get the blade sharp but it doesnt last long


step by step would be the best way of telling me (Im a picture person
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thank you for any help (in advance)


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A genius learns more and more about less and less until he/she learns absolutly everything about nothing
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~Daniel a.k.a. DeLightsabor~

[This message has been edited by DeLightsabor (edited 04-01-2001).]
 
1.You could go to your local retail store and pick up an Arkansas stone and learn to sharpen knives by hand. That'd be cheap, and well worth learning, but maybe not the best or easiest.

2.You could read the sharpening FAQs here on Bladeforums. Invaluable. Easy and inexpensive- free. http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqsharp.shtml

3.You could plunk down 45 bucks to the e-tailer of your choice and pick up a Spyderco Sharpmaker 204. As far as value goes- it rules. Easy to follow and well written instructions, very simple to use, fairly inexpensive and it just plain works. Even comes with a video.

4.You could buy a new knife every time you dull one.

There's lots of options, but finding out which one is "best" is going to be up to you.

My recommendation would be to read the sharpening FAQ and memorize it. Then get yourself a Sharpmaker. Then start buying knives with steels that will hold an edge...
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Firebat

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Name's Ash......Housewares.

[This message has been edited by Firebat (edited 04-01-2001).]
 
The Sharpening FAQ will be the biggest bang for the buck you'll get as far as learning to sharpen, not only because it's free (very low bucks), but because it's crammed with excellent information (very high bang).

The Sharpmaker gets a lot of good reviews, especially from folks who are just looking to touch-up an blade that's already nearly sharp. I don't have one, but my understanding is that it's not all that great for reprofiling, for a very dull blade, or for a blade chips.

I have a Gatco Edgemate system, also about $45, which is a bit more time-consuming to use than the Sharpmaker, but which has given my excellent results even on very dull or very damaged blades.

The tools you use, be it free-hand stones or an elaborate system, is only the begining. None of these systems completely removes the element of "touch" that comes from experience. Experience doesn't have to take a lifetime. With the Gatco Edgemate, for example, the learning curve is about eight or ten blades.

The question "What is the best sharpening system/method" seems to poke up here about every other week. It seems to me that there are many good candidates, the Sharpmaker, certainly, the Gatco Edgemate, Lansky, etc, are all quite capable of creating very respectible edge.

The important thing is to understand the process you're performing (read the aforementioned FAQ). The best and most important sharpening tool to get is actually a simple 8 or 10x magnifier loupe. With this, you can actually see what you're doing.

Knowledge is power.... start hording


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
I'm assuming you meant the most inexpensive method, rather than the least inexpensive. (Kind of like a double negative, sort of, almost.)

We're not talking quick, easy production of a truly scary sharp edge here, but Smokey Mountain Knife Works sells a little pocket sharpener, that has two "Vs" in it, one coarse and one fine. There are small ceramic rods in there. All one has to do is pull the knife blade thru them several times. Maybe many times if you're starting out from totally dull. I think it was a Gerber I got. Price was $2. I think Normark sells a single sided one for $2, and a double like the other for $3.

You're not going to be able to remove major quantities of steel in a hurry. If your blade(s) have a grind totally different than the "general" setup these sharpeners use, a lot of work may be necessary. I found a burr, or something on the point of one of my folders the other day. Was sure it would take a lot of work. Had just gotten the Gerber, so decided to check it out. It removed whatever was there in 5 passes thru the coarse side. I also touched up the blade on my old LST. Did about 6-7 passes thru coarse, then about as many thru fine. Definetly improved the edge noticeably.

I wear a beard, and am unduly fond of the hair on my arms, so don't use shaving checks on them, or my face. Besides, I have razors for trimming. Bics. But, the edge I put on the LST was at least as good as the original edge on it when I bought it 15 years ago or so.

Hope this helps -- particularly the tip about Bic disposables.
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Woops! Brain fart here. Am not sure that incurring a $5 or so shipping charge for a $2 purchase is all that wise. In some mall kitchen supply stores, they sell the Firestone sharpener, the smaller one, for about $10. This has 2 revolving wheels of ceramic. I found a Fiskars sharpener with the same setup as the pocket sharpener I mentioned. It has a good handle which makes it easier to use. It cost $6, I think.

Forgot one thing. Use soap and water to clean the ceramic rods/wheels periodically. Dry them well. If you can -- I simply haven't tried it -- rotate the rods once in awhile too, so wear is even.
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Asi es la vida

Bugs

[This message has been edited by Bugs3x (edited 04-01-2001).]
 
If you want to learn a true craft, and have the time and patience necesary, go to the FAQ and start learning free hand sharpening. If you have no time or patience, or already tried that without success, or if you care not about craft skills, just want sharp knives - get a Sharpmaker 204. It's so easy, you'll be sharpening everything in your house, taking the 204 with you on family visits to sharpen theirs, etc. (not that I've ever done that
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Your other problem seems to be edge holding. Unless you are using your knife to cut wire, your edges should last. You are probably starting with inferior steel.
 
Belly up to the Sharpening table, take the hit and fork out the bucks for an Edge Pro Apex with the Video. You'll never be sorry you did. You'll be able to get any blade scary sharp, regardless of it's present state of sharpness. The Spyderco 204 is good for keeping an edge. But if you have really dull knives, or want to change the edge angle, the Spyderco is worthless.
Lenny
 
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