Flat sharpening surfaces and convex grinds

[vickmacky]

Ok. I just purchased my first truly convex grind, a BR Bravo-1. Now stropping on leather with compound is not new to me and will be my prefered method to bring the edge back but for anything more, are there any special tricks to sharpen the Bravo-1 on a ceramic stone? I know Fallkniven uses convex grinds and also have the DC3/DC4 stones to sharpen them on so it must be ok right? I watched a video on youtube where a guy sharpened a F1 on his DC4 just fine, it looked like he kept the spine almost flat on the stone and used very light strokes. I will be carrying a Spyderco Double Stuff in the field which is why I ask.

 

[richard j]

you cant do a convex properly on a flat stone. you need a slack belt sander or a piece of sandpaper on a phone book. get some 3m wetordry sandpaper and try that.

 

[Jason B.]

Convex on a stone is no easy task unless you don't care what it looks like. You can make it look good but would need a good set of water stones and knowledge of the different techniques used.

Sandpaper on a soft backing is the easiest way to create a uniform bevel. JRE sells a product called the EMS sharpening block, it was designed for convex sharpening and works very well. Runs about 35 dollar's and comes with everything you need.

Using a stone like the ones your looking at would work for field touch-ups. The need to sharpen the whole bevel is not always needed in the field and stones like that can be used for microbevels.

 

[vickmacky]

Convex on a stone is no easy task unless you don't care what it looks like. You can make it look good but would need a good set of water stones and knowledge of the different techniques used.

Sandpaper on a soft backing is the easiest way to create a uniform bevel. JRE sells a product called the EMS sharpening block, it was designed for convex sharpening and works very well. Runs about 35 dollar's and comes with everything you need.

Using a stone like the ones your looking at would work for field touch-ups. The need to sharpen the whole bevel is not always needed in the field and stones like that can be used for microbevels.

Yea I seen that system but its not very portable. I have no problem sharpening the edge at home, I just need something light, small and portable. I notice knivesshipfree has a kit that comes in a watertight storage box but its a little pricey at $50.

 

[theonew]

From what I have read, Fallknivens have a convex primary grind and a regular v-bevel secondary, thus the reason they sell the DC-3/4 to sharpen them. This to me is very sensible. There may be some theoretical advantage to a convex secondary bevel but I can't see how a tiny amount of curvature added to a very, very small portion of the blade width will be even noticeable and makes field sharpening and even home sharpening more difficult.

I have been using v-bevel sharpened Bark River Knives for about 3 years now and they work perfectly and sharpen up quickly. The whole mouse pad, sandpaper, strop set up is a huge waste of time IMO and very impractical for field sharpening.

This is all I need to carry to sharpen my knives in the field. Nearly indestructible, doesn't wear out, always is flat, cleans easily with water, sharpens quickly and weighs next to nothing,

 

[JCK]

...I have been using v-bevel sharpened Bark River Knives for about 3 years now and they work perfectly and sharpen up quickly. The whole mouse pad, sandpaper, strop set up is a huge waste of time IMO and very impractical for field sharpening

This is all I need to carry to sharpen my knives in the field. Nearly indestructible, doesn't wear out, always is flat, cleans easily with water, sharpens quickly and weighs next to nothing,

How would you say the edge retention on your Bark Rivers compare to the standard convex ones.

I find that carrying a small strop, and some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper is all I need to keep a great edge on my bravo 1

 

[vickmacky]

Well I broke down and ordered a field strop with black/green compound from Knivesshipfree and I guess, like JCK, will just carry a piece of 600-1000 grit sandpaper along with it. The double stuff is so small and light I can afford to keep it in the bag too.