Crazy idea. A *freehand* knife sharpening FAQ?

S

Squashfan

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It may be out of the scope of what is possible. And I don't want anyone to think that I am trying to get my name up in lights. This was an idea I had because I still remember my struggle to learn freehand sharpening.

This was a bit of a nutty idea I had today: Why not put a freehand Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) thread on here? I know we get lots and lots of "What stone for freehand?", "How do I Sharpen A Recurve?" and, of course, the ever present: "My knife dulled after two cuts of paper!" Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with these threads but it would be simpler on the experts here and easier for the newb if there was a thread to point people to that answered these basic questions. I am thinking a community effort, if possible. With several contributors giving about a half a paragraph or less each. The idea being this thread would be as basic and simple as possible.
Magnaminous_G's thread is great but some terms are above a total newbs head. I know this because these terms give me fits even still. And I am NOT trying to knock any of the experts here. But I still remember how little good info I saw for the total, total beginner. (It's been a while since I have seen Mag on here, BTW.)



Speaking of terms: Something else this thread could contain would be a "Total and Complete Moron's Guide to Sharpening Terms." That is to say a sharpening lexicon for someone who has never touched a knife before. I very much needed a guide like that when I started sharpening knives because I had NO CLUE what most of the terms meant.

Maybe I am off of my rocker or maybe I should have slept some more last night. IDK. But let me know what you guys think. :)
 
I agree! I think one sticky is needed to explain the most basic of terms. Another could be on freehand sharpening as you said (stones, techniques for recurves, etc.).
 
It would probably need two threads. I really don't have hardly any thought into this beyond seeing the need.
 
I believe the current stickies are enough to provide understanding what sharpening is all about. Freehand requires only one additional aspect: consistency.
 
I think the new comers will keep asking the same questions on sharpening. They need to read and use the search feature. Then they don't read some previous post on the first page. If the stickies don't cover this then we need new ones. I know we're a information site but We keep getting this same topic over and over. There must be a better way. DM
 
Not a bad idea. My own personal problem is that many sites create so many stickies and then the majority of the posts are responded to with 'Go read the sticky' or 'Go read our Wiki'. Becomes very impersonal.
 
A sticky would be good, people are bound to ask the same question or atleast have a problem that has the same solution as another person. I vote yea, a good broad spectrum of questions and answers in one thread.
 
David Martin said:
I think the new comers will keep asking the same questions on sharpening. They need to read and use the search feature. Then they don't read some previous post on the first page. If the stickies don't cover this then we need new ones. I know we're a information site but We keep getting this same topic over and over. There must be a better way. DM
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I have noticed the repeat threads. It is part of the reason that I haven't been hanging around as much. The other reason is I am busy sharpening.

I still think there is a need for the sharpening glossary. Terms aren't covered by any of the stickies I have looked in. It doesn't matter whether the glossary gets sticked or not. I think it would be good just to have around.

Kelbro, I can understand what you are saying. But, like David said, we are seeing a very large number of threads covering the same simple topics. We shall see.
 
kelbro said:
Not a bad idea. My own personal problem is that many sites create so many stickies and then the majority of the posts are responded to with 'Go read the sticky' or 'Go read our Wiki'. Becomes very impersonal.
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Yes, so many want that personal answer to their question but many have just recently answered the Same question. Yet, no reading just ask it anyway. We don't have to answer but there needs to be more reading done before asking sharpening questions. Still, I'm glad to see sooo many wanting to learn about sharpening. And there are some good teachers that traffic here who know. DM
 
David Martin said:
Yes, so many want that personal answer to their question but many have just recently answered the Same question. Yet, no reading just ask it anyway. We don't have to answer but there needs to be more reading done before asking sharpening questions. Still, I'm glad to see sooo many wanting to learn about sharpening. And there are some good teachers that traffic here who know. DM
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Were it not for the determination of those good teachers, I would not be able to sharpen a knife. Hats off to all of the good people who frequent this forum.
 
You could start a google doc with some of the people here and let them start building. Just make an outline containing quotations and weird you define. They can add links to relevant threads or videos. Then just link a non editable version in a stickied thread.
 
Eta: if you make the thread at the same time, people can add questions or topics to be address in the document. There would just need to be one person who ok's final versions and updates
 
There should be a sticky about hones, or, in particular, about leather hones and strops -- in depth information about hones, the point of honing, what type of leather to use for what, the point of stropping compounds, how to use them, etc.
 
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