Best Sharpner for buck knives?

[mschwoeb]

I have been looking around lately trying to decide which sharpner to buy to handle my knives, but cant seem to find one with a good set angle that works for them. All of the usual ones are 20 degrees or more. What so you guys use?

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Trying is just a noisy way of not doing something.

 

[WrayH]

I recently purchased the GATCO Diamond Sharpening System Set for $54.95 plus shipping from Knife Center (on line).

I have been quite pleased with it and it seems to have what you are looking for in a system.

The GATCO clamp/angle guide provides sharpening angle settings of 11, 15, 19, 22, 25 and 29 degrees on each side. When you finish the first side, just turn the knife and clamp/angle guide upside down and sharpen the other side.

The kit contains coarse, medium and fine diamond hones.

I found that after the fine hone I still needed to strop the edge a bit.



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Wray Harrison
Buck Collectors Club
Lifetime Member #1440
Palo Alto, CA

 

[Joe Houser]

I have tried several of the clamp on style sharpeners and i found one thing to be true of all of them. The angle markings on the holders to not necessarily give you that angle when you are done. Every time you use a diferent shape blade, you change the geometry. A wider blade will give you a smaller angle.
Someone told me this trick which is so simple it makes me laugh. Color the edge with a marker pen. Then run the stone over it a few times. If the ink is gone, you have the correct angle. If it isn't, try another slot on your sharpener until you get the one that matches the best. Always use the same slot and the same clamping spot on your blade and you should have an easy job of keeping your knives sharp.

Hope this helps,


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Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123

 

[WrayH]

Joe,

Thanks for the tip on using the marker.

When I started using the system it did occur to me that the width of the blade when clamped in the guide was going to change things and I have tried even a piece of string and a protractor to figure out what I needed to do to make the correct adjustment.

Your way is much simpler.

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Wray Harrison
Buck Collectors Club
Lifetime Member #1440