Do you freehand sharpen your CRK?

BMCGear

BMCGear

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I'm working on expanding my free hand sharpening. I usually do it with my slipjoints/SAKS but I'm curious if anyone hand sharpens their CRK? What stones would you suggest?
 
I use 600 and 1000 grit sandpaper on wood and cardboard and the Sharpmaker every so often.
 
Freehand with DMT XC through F. Then microbevel on spyderco ceramics, M and F. Microbevel is either freehand with a doublestuff, or 40 degrees on the sharpmaker.
 
I freehand everything.

Too much fun to sharpen a knife any other way.

I use a 600 Grit Ceramic Whetstone, and love the edge.
I like my edges a little toothy.

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Yes. DMT fine and XF. I have always sharpened free hand. Years and years ago it was Arkansas stones. Then when I saw how much faster diamond stones are I never looked back. This is especially true of all the newer steels with vanadium and higher hardness.
 
If using a work sharp (no guide) counts then yes. I am not yet confident enough to take on my CRK with my diamond hones or waterstones, but am getting close:thumbup:
 
I too use a Work Sharp guided knife sharpener without the Guides. It works very well and is available almost anywhere that I've seen. The guides are magnetized so you can swap out for different ones or take them off completely. I like it and you can buy replacement parts at your local retailer.

Here's a picture of it.

Not the best way to sharpen but it's great for starting out. Just make sure to take off the guides completely.

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Yep..for years. Have all sorts of gadgets to sharpen, but they are typically a compromise in control at some level or another.
The microscope helped tremendously..Use one at work all the time, but didn't have one at home for several years.
 
I started over 30 years ago and still prefer honing by hand over guided systems. I have competed against cutters that swear by guided systems, but regardless of the method used, it all comes down to performance.

I prefer to use diamond abrasives for CRKs (typically DMT hones), but I have used soft backed media, synthetic water stones, and natural hones. It really depends on the preferred finish and the steel being sharpened.

As for what is BEST? It has everything to do with confidence that comes from knowing how to get results...and that typically comes from experience. I have seen knives nearly ruined with guided systems (and certainly there are plenty examples of botched free-hand jobs). A masterfully honed edge (guided or unguided) will work best...and the differences between the guided and unguided pale in comparison to the differences owing to the level of mastery of the person doing the honing.
 
When any of my knives really need a lot of work put into the edge I use a Freehand DMT Med Diamond stone. Then I finish it off with a Spyderco Sharpmaker.


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Over the years I've tried about ever new method introduced,it started with the lansky,dmt then a high dollar guided system but I always come back too the sharp maker by spiderco, for true freehand I prefer smith's diamond stones,great for a toothy edge then a hit on a strop,food for thought..eze lap makes a great little diamond stone,with a leather sheath..great for your go bag and puts a heck of a edge on your knife.
Dave
 
All of my knives are sharpened on water stones.
My heavy users get a 4000 grit finish and my finer knives get the 8000 grit polish.
 
I do, but I just started about 6 months ago and it's a work in progress. I use the DMT diamond stones (set of three in a wooden box).
 
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