I've been sharpening stuff for 30+ years. Everything from Cutting sicles on farm machinery to pocket knives. Most of it is done as a neccesity, but I truely enjoy sharpeining knives. There is something viseral and satisfying about getting that razor sharp edge, especially on someone elses knife. The astonisment on another's face can really feed a fella's pride.
It doesn't really matter how you go about it. There are a hundred different "systems" out there, and a hundered different "favorite" techniques for each (that's 10,000 different combinations, incase anyone is short of math). The point of the post has to do with that final edge.
I typically go thru about 9 different steps for a serious sharpening job. I use a tried and proven (and forum approved) system that get a knife predictable, and reliably sharp. But to get to that final shaving sharp can sometimes be elusive, and seems to involve more ritual than technique.
The stakes are directly proportional to the type of steel you're working on. 440A presents no challenge. You run it thru all the steps, and end up with a razor sharp knife. There is no guarantee how long the edge will last, but you get the satisfaction at a pretty cheap price. 154CM is a pleasure. It requires a slightly bigger investment in time and effort, but the results are predictalbe. It's also good for some "end of the chore" satisfaction.
But the REAL nirvana is achived with a realy reluctant steel like S30V, or 440V. These hard metals give up their molecules grudgingly wether your cutting carpet, or trying to sharpen the buggers. But oh the joy when once you find that elusive edge! The happy sound of crisp paper seperating, and the smooth patch of skin where your used to have a tuft of hair!
Sometimes, I can have the knife sharp, as in done with the "system" and it can then take just as long again to find the "edge" on the bugger. The slow, careful caress of the super-fine ceramics, or the soft warm woosh of the strop. Sometimes, it's like searching for a four leaf clover. You generally find more when your not looking. All of the sudden, it's just there.
It really is like a drug for me. I think there's a knife in the back of the kitchen knife drawer that hasn't seen a good sharpening in a couple weeks. I hope it's good and dull.
It doesn't really matter how you go about it. There are a hundred different "systems" out there, and a hundered different "favorite" techniques for each (that's 10,000 different combinations, incase anyone is short of math). The point of the post has to do with that final edge.
I typically go thru about 9 different steps for a serious sharpening job. I use a tried and proven (and forum approved) system that get a knife predictable, and reliably sharp. But to get to that final shaving sharp can sometimes be elusive, and seems to involve more ritual than technique.
The stakes are directly proportional to the type of steel you're working on. 440A presents no challenge. You run it thru all the steps, and end up with a razor sharp knife. There is no guarantee how long the edge will last, but you get the satisfaction at a pretty cheap price. 154CM is a pleasure. It requires a slightly bigger investment in time and effort, but the results are predictalbe. It's also good for some "end of the chore" satisfaction.
But the REAL nirvana is achived with a realy reluctant steel like S30V, or 440V. These hard metals give up their molecules grudgingly wether your cutting carpet, or trying to sharpen the buggers. But oh the joy when once you find that elusive edge! The happy sound of crisp paper seperating, and the smooth patch of skin where your used to have a tuft of hair!
Sometimes, I can have the knife sharp, as in done with the "system" and it can then take just as long again to find the "edge" on the bugger. The slow, careful caress of the super-fine ceramics, or the soft warm woosh of the strop. Sometimes, it's like searching for a four leaf clover. You generally find more when your not looking. All of the sudden, it's just there.
It really is like a drug for me. I think there's a knife in the back of the kitchen knife drawer that hasn't seen a good sharpening in a couple weeks. I hope it's good and dull.
