convex hypothetical

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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s'pose your living of the grid or ran to the woods to survive as the result of some disaster..eventually you'll run out of sandpaper and may not have access to more....How would you go about keeping your convex blade sharp?
 
At that point I'd probably resort to a flat bevel and use more redily available items to rework the edge. Of course this will depend on how thick the blade is neer the bevel to begin with.

Stones come to mind first but there are other items that I've seen folks use to dress the edge when a sharpening system wasn't available. The bottom of a ceramic coffee cup, or the edge of a car window are a couple that come to mind.
 
In some parts of Northern Europe, ceramic shingles are favored for sharpening.
 
A lot of people inadvertently convex the edges of their knives when using a flat sharpening stone. It's especially easy to do if you hold the blade still and move the stone. With a large bench stone or flat rock you can start with the blade at a higher angle and as you push it along the stone gradually roll it down to a lower angle (hope that's clear enough. . . Its kind of a difficult motion to describe). You may not be able to maintain it quite as nicely as if you had the sand paper or slack belt sander or whatever method you prefer, but it's very possible to create and maintain a convex edge with any sharpening stone or river rocks or whatever abrasive material you have available.
 
After a few weeks in the field my pants are usually dirty enough to be an effective strop:D

Convex edges can also be maintained with stones, but strops are easier to get right.

Sverre
 
You have to use elephant poo. But remember to drink the water first.
 
Hey RR
My personal opinion is that its more about the technique and not so much the abrasive you use if you can sharpen with sand paper you should be able to use a flat rock and some water to get a good working edge use belt for strop.
another idea is to use the method used for honing an axe read section below on using a stone for an axe same technique will work for a knife, been using this method for many years when in the field and it works

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/fspubs/99232823/page15.htm#sharp
 
I don't know. They say a sharp knife is safer then a dull knife, but a dull knife is better then no knife. :D

I would use my leather belt as a strop.
 
I actually just use a standard arkansas stone to maintain my convex blades. On a few of them, sandpaper will work. But on all of them the stone works (and never runs out). I just do sort of a 'rolling slice' off the stone.
 
I'd probably commit to wearing a good quality leather belt....maybe keep it loaded with some compound...not a bad idea.
 
Look for a stone with a flat surface, sandstone works good. Some river rocks work. With a little practice, and a good leather belt your good to go. I think the convex is the easiest to keep sharp in the field.
 
johnny reb said:
Look for a stone with a flat surface, sandstone works good. Some river rocks work. With a little practice, and a good leather belt your good to go. I think the convex is the easiest to keep sharp in the field.
Click to expand...

johnny's last sentence are my feelings. I can't understand why some people are afraid of this edge. It isn't any harder to sharpen then a V bevel. Actually easier. Sharpening is a skill you need to practice. Just like your other survival skills. No knife stays sharp forever. Depending on what you are cutting, will determine edge life. Learn to take care of your tools and they will take care of you.
Scott
 
as far as running out of sandpaper...my guess is that a single autobody store or a walmart or something would have enough stock to keep my happy for a very very long time...

but sticking to the proposed situation...
i sharpened convex blades on stones for a long time before i finally got some sandpaper and soft backing. just kinda roll the knife as you pass, or take a lot of passes each at different angles. it all works out into convex in the end.
 
I have used a piece of cardboard covered with very fine dust from my campsite, and it worked pretty well.
 
Why do some people are obsessed about convex edges?? I'm yet to find a task which a traditional V grind won't successfully fulfill.
 
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