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Best sharpening system?
- Thread starter swingshot
- Start date
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
The important thing to realize is that there is no "miracle system" that you just sort of wave over your blade and it becomes razor sharp. Every tool requires a learning curve. You have to learn the techniques to get the best results from whatever tool you have.
You have to find whatever way works best for you.
Those high tech systems may give you a more accurate and finer edge, but I taught myself by reading Joe Talmadge's Sharpening FAQ and using a $5 Wal-Mart EZE-LAP diamond stone. Free-hand sharpening is more versatile, and can be done anywhere. I don't have any experience sharpening long blades, such as Khukris, machetes, etc., but I can get most of my fixed blades razor sharp using just my Wal-Mart diamond stone.
IMHO, you should stay far away from those tungten carbide wheely things that you slide your blade through.
Those high tech systems may give you a more accurate and finer edge, but I taught myself by reading Joe Talmadge's Sharpening FAQ and using a $5 Wal-Mart EZE-LAP diamond stone. Free-hand sharpening is more versatile, and can be done anywhere. I don't have any experience sharpening long blades, such as Khukris, machetes, etc., but I can get most of my fixed blades razor sharp using just my Wal-Mart diamond stone.
IMHO, you should stay far away from those tungten carbide wheely things that you slide your blade through.
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2001
- Messages
- 423
It also depends on what you are looking to do.
If you have an existing edge you want to maintain at either 30 or 40 degrees then it's hard to beat the Spyderco Sharpmaker.
If however you want to reprofile blades to a different angle or want to sharpen some super hard steels like CPM-440v or BG-42, then I would recommend the Apex by Edge Pro. Pricey but can't be beat in the long run.
If you have an existing edge you want to maintain at either 30 or 40 degrees then it's hard to beat the Spyderco Sharpmaker.
If however you want to reprofile blades to a different angle or want to sharpen some super hard steels like CPM-440v or BG-42, then I would recommend the Apex by Edge Pro. Pricey but can't be beat in the long run.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
- Messages
- 32,359
Everythings a crutch, a jig or an aid, the only true way is freehand and practice. Develope an eye for what sharp is, define it, examine it, compare it, practice and achieve it.
Invest in a good 10X loupe or magnifier, with a strong light look at an edge you consider sharp than compare it to your blade and note the difference, come back with your observations and we'll help you overcome your problems,(with sharpening that is, anything else and your on your own
)
Invest in a good 10X loupe or magnifier, with a strong light look at an edge you consider sharp than compare it to your blade and note the difference, come back with your observations and we'll help you overcome your problems,(with sharpening that is, anything else and your on your own
)
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2001
- Messages
- 27,064
My advice would be to definitely learn how to sharpen (well) freehand first. Just use some junky knives first - you can buy plenty at the flea market for $2 a pop. The most important factor in freehand sharpening is holding the blade at the right angle consistently every time. Just go a few swipes on one side until you get a burr on the other side, then flip it over and do the same thing. Then work down to the next progressive grit. When you finish with the finest grit, strop the blade on leather or cardboard.
When you get really good at sharpening freehand, move on to other sharpening systems. The first one I'd recommend would be the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Since I started using the Sharpmaker (I used a lot of systems in between freehand sharpening and the Sharpmaker) I have not needed to use anything else unless the knife is seriously dull - then I go back and sharpen it freehand.
You need to learn to sharpen freehand so you will learn the basic mechanics of making a knife sharp. Once you get familiar with what it takes to get a screaming sharp edge freehand, you will have few problems getting a sharp edge using all the other systems.
Take it slow and learn. Sharp edges will come with practice and patience.
Good luck!
When you get really good at sharpening freehand, move on to other sharpening systems. The first one I'd recommend would be the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Since I started using the Sharpmaker (I used a lot of systems in between freehand sharpening and the Sharpmaker) I have not needed to use anything else unless the knife is seriously dull - then I go back and sharpen it freehand.
You need to learn to sharpen freehand so you will learn the basic mechanics of making a knife sharp. Once you get familiar with what it takes to get a screaming sharp edge freehand, you will have few problems getting a sharp edge using all the other systems.
Take it slow and learn. Sharp edges will come with practice and patience.
Good luck!
I have all kinds of sharpening utinsels. I don't much care for the $20 Smiths' cause the stones are too narrow, wore too quickly, and it isn't very adjustable. I like my DMT aligner, diamond stones go from ex-course to ex-fine, very fast, adjusts from 12* to 35* in 3.5* increments, about $50. I have a Henckles very fine steel, a DMT diamond ex-fine steel, a Forschner ceramic "steel", and a DMT serrated sharpener, all of which I reccomend. The Apex is the way I'd go if I had plenty of money right off the bat. If they don't come up with anything better in the next few years, that's what I'll end up with. If I were to get something for my Son's to start off with, it would be the DMT aligner kit. Alas, they just lay their knives next to the keyboard when they're good and ruint! That and stropping are all you need at first. Freehand is something you pick up along and along. If you want to go basic budget, look at the Lansky types, but with wider stones, say at least 3/4". Salude
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
- Messages
- 32,359
Click on the link below to get to Edmund Scientific:click here
Or try Radio Shack.
You should be able to find an affordable Loupe/magnifier in either place.
