Best Way to Get a Super Sharp Knife???

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Ctex412

Joined
Oct 28, 2014
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Ive been wanting to find an affordable way to get my knives hair popping sharp. Anyone have any suggestions for quality high grit stones for cheap? I don't mean like Walmart cheap but around $50 or less. i already have some diamond sharpeners but they are lower grit. What kind of stone works best? Completely open to suggestions.

Thank yall :)
 
Not sure if you were inquiring about this type of system but I'm a relative newbie when it comes to sharpening and I picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker and it's working splendidly. After a few swipes on the ceramic rods paper pops off the my knives when I test sharpness. I use it on my folders and fixed blades.
 
I think the cheapest way to go to high sharpness is to add one or more strops to your current sharpening system. You don't have to buy expensive strops, you can make your own from an old leather belt.
 
Poromenos said:
Not sure if you were inquiring about this type of system but I'm a relative newbie when it comes to sharpening and I picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker and it's working splendidly. After a few swipes on the ceramic rods paper pops off the my knives when I test sharpness. I use it on my folders and fixed blades.
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I agree... You just have to make sure you are apexing your edge. The sharpmaker isn't good at reprofiling.
 
Ya I've heard of the spyderco sharpmakers, i wouldn't need all the different rods. looked it up on ebay and you can buy just the ultra fine ceramic rod for about $17.

Thank you Poromenos
 
The ultra fine won't get you anywhere without the others. :) You can polish a turd, but it's still a turd.
 
For higher grit sharpening on a budget, how about wet/dry sandpaper on glass or another flat and firm surface? You can get it in grits up to 2500 at most auto parts store. If you prefer stones, King water stones can be bought for pretty cheap and they work fine for most applications. As with most anything, you can spend a lot more on sharpening stuff but both of these will get you there for cheap.
 
jinmo said:
The ultra fine won't get you anywhere without the others. :) You can polish a turd, but it's still a turd.
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Exactly

Ernie1980 said:
For higher grit sharpening on a budget, how about wet/dry sandpaper on glass or another flat and firm surface? You can get it in grits up to 2500 at most auto parts store. If you prefer stones, King water stones can be bought for pretty cheap and they work fine for most applications. As with most anything, you can spend a lot more on sharpening stuff but both of these will get you there for cheap.
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This is a great solution!!

Ctex412 said:
Would 6000 grit on a waterstone be high enough to get it razor sharp?
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It depends on what you mean by "razor sharp" lol. A razor commonly used in a utility knife is only around the 600 grit range from what I've seen... a straight razor can go up to 30k grit or higher. The question you must answer is "what will you be using the knife for?" then we can help you more.
 
Ya im not trying to sharpen a straight razor just mostly edc knives and hunting/outdoor knives. I just hate reaching for a knife and finding its dull. I also want to learn how to sharpen my knives phonebook paper cutting sharp.
 
Something to keep in mind is that you don't necessarily need to have extra or ultra-fine grit just to cut phonebook paper. A 400 or 600 grit diamond stone will work just fine. Getting a good working edge at higher grits and then keeping that angle consistent every time you sharpen will deliver the best results. Prior to getting my guided diamond sharpening system, I used nothing but India oil stones at different hardnesses, it will give a very sharp edge, sharp enough to shave hair or slice paper. The refined edges, sometimes called a polished edge are not needed for slicing paper, but to smoothly cut over and over it will definitely help.

Hope this helps.
 
You can take a knife from dull to sharp enough to whittle curls on a free hanging hair with nothing but a few sheets of automotive sandpaper and a home made strop with cheap aluminum oxide compound from harbor freight, or home depot.
 
Me personally I went with the work sharp system. I am no good at getting the correct angel on my sharpening so I went with work sharp system. I use both the electric on and manual one and both work great. The manual one has a stroop built right in with the proper angel. Just my two cents.
 
Give the sandpaper a try. I have gotten some of my sharpest blades from sandpaper. Start in the 200-320 range if the blade needs reprofiled and work up to 2000 grit.

There are two popular ways to use sandpaper.

1) lay it on a mousepad. The extra cushion will give you a convexed edge similar to the Worksharp. I have used this method, but I don't care for it. It works, I just don't like convexed edges as much.
2) lay it on something hard and flat. Tile, glass, etc. If you can get enough substrate, you could even glue it down. This is the method I prefer.

You will have to use an edge trailing stroke with method #1, but with method #2 you can use either edge trailing or edge leading if you are careful.
 
Bigfattyt said:
You can take a knife from dull to sharp enough to whittle curls on a free hanging hair with nothing but a few sheets of automotive sandpaper and a home made strop with cheap aluminum oxide compound from harbor freight, or home depot.
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So if I have a leather belt how do I make it into an actual strop, and how do you apply the aluminum oxide or other compound to the belt?
 
I used rubber cement & attached part of a belt to a piece of wood. Then just rub the compound on the leather. Works like a charm for a first strop.
 
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