Flourescent Light for Knife Sharpening?

[Phydeaux]

Stitchawl,

Is the glass rod smooth or is it frosted? We used to polish graphite bearings on a frosted glass plate to get it flat and scratch free.

Ric

 

[Slidetechnik]

Cool, thanks for the responses guys. I figured he meant he didn't do any heavy sharpening, just refining an already sharpened edge. He mentioned he used a stone for the heavy sharpening. When he told me, I was just surprised. I just never thought to use a floursecent lightbulb for that purpose.

 

[Gaboonviper85]

I've used old this method before and it works great!!! We had old overhead shop lights that I broke open and removed the ceramic rods.....made one glorious edge!!!

The dude was indeed serious as it does work!

Stitchawl,

Is the glass rod smooth or is it frosted? We used to polish graphite bearings on a frosted glass plate to get it flat and scratch free.

Ric

Frosted....they are cylindrical in shape and about 4"-5" long that I used...great for tinny blades but not so on anything over 4"

 

[stitchawl]

Stitchawl,

Is the glass rod smooth or is it frosted? We used to polish graphite bearings on a frosted glass plate to get it flat and scratch free.

Ric

Mine is smooth, phydeaux. Frosted would prpbably do just as good a job. After all, it's not removing any metal, only pushing it around. I had mine made for me and cost about $5 (in a Third World country's chemical supply store) In the US it would probably cost about $20. But you can save all the money and get something that does double duty. Borosilicate glass is ordinary Pyrex, the same stuff they use for glass pie plates, meatloaf pans, and some measuring cups. Just look at the bottom. If it says Pyrex, you're good to go. I was using a meatloaf pan before I hit on the idea of having a dedicated rod made. Mine is about 16" long and 3/4" in diameter (just guessing... too lazy to walk to the kitchen and measure.) I glued on a leather handle to one end and tied a leather turkshead on the other just to give a bit of protection should I lay it down on the counter too hard. Since I started using that, I never use my metal steel any longer.

Stitchawl

 

[Phydeaux]

thanks for the info Stitchawl. I'm going to have to find a glass rod and try it.

I am always amazed at some of the innovative ways people have to maintain the edge of their blades.

ric

 

[dscheidt]

I had a guy tell me he sharpened his knives on a "ceramic ribbon from a high voltage spotlight."

Uh huh.

High pressure sodium lights have a several inch long piece of smooth ceramic in them, used an insulator to allow there to be a long enough space for the arc. They're bigger in bigger lights. They're fairly commonly scavenged to get a cheap (burned out bulbs aren't worth much...) pocket sized touch up stone. Work just fine.

 

[hickman1]

well said, a 1000watt High Pressure Sodium floodlight has a ceramic in it that is approx 12" long and 3/8" dia, I prefer the "burnt out" ones as the finish seems to be a bit more cystalline and, to me, does a better job sharpening.
You can buy a new sodium floodlight bulb for around $15 from most electrical supply houses. Personally, I like the ceramics from the 175Watt HPS lights for pocket knives, as said previously 3-4" long and about 1/4" dia

 

[Toffer Mercill]

Hi
I don't know about using a Flourescent bulb, however i have and do currently use the ARC Tube from a Metal Halide Grow bulb. they work amazingly well and give you a razor sharp edge.

like this one. (it's better if you can get one that is burned out, then you don't have to pay for them as much) Deal spot removed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal-halide_lamp

 

[Talley1013]

the glass filament from a HID lamp works pretty good. I am an electrician and a few guys @ work carry one their truck for a quick touchup.

 

[flraptor07]

High pressure sodium lights have a several inch long piece of smooth ceramic in them, used an insulator to allow there to be a long enough space for the arc. They're bigger in bigger lights. They're fairly commonly scavenged to get a cheap (burned out bulbs aren't worth much...) pocket sized touch up stone. Work just fine.

well said, a 1000watt High Pressure Sodium floodlight has a ceramic in it that is approx 12" long and 3/8" dia, I prefer the "burnt out" ones as the finish seems to be a bit more cystalline and, to me, does a better job sharpening.
You can buy a new sodium floodlight bulb for around $15 from most electrical supply houses. Personally, I like the ceramics from the 175Watt HPS lights for pocket knives, as said previously 3-4" long and about 1/4" dia

These work well, I was a mechanic for a electrical contractor and we used to get these from the "High Pressure Sodium Bulbs" all the time. Just be careful when busting the bulb to remove it, do it covered up in a garbage can because they are "High Pressure" :thumbup: