Free Hand Sharpening

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ranchmanben

Joined
Jan 18, 2011
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Since I've joined the forum I continue to read about people using sharpening jigs like the Wicked Edge or the SharpMaker. I also read a bunch about the angle used while sharpening on one of these devises. It makes me wonder if freehand sharpening is a dying art. I was curious how many of my fellow knife junkies still freehand, especially on higher end knives. Thanks for humoring my curiosity.
 
I freehand on my larger knives, not so much on knives like my Kershaw's. I dont know why i do it that way, i just do.
 
I started out sharpening using a Sharpmaker, and have since moved to free-hand sharpening. Here are a few pictures that I have posted before.

Sage2.jpg


BossStreet.jpg


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I also free-handed the mirror polishes on my Sebenza and Umnumzaan, but I currently only have a crappy cell phone camera. Maybe I can borrow a friend's DSLR some afternoon and snap a few pictures.
 
I use a SharpMaker, Duckfoot and/or Goldenstone for my serrated edges, but everything else is done freehand, even the KC Customs.
 
I have always done it free hand and see no reason to change. That's how I treat all of my knives.
 
I can free hand ok for most knives, except for recurves. I got the DMT Aligner for that. I'd still free hand bigger blades though...
 
Freehand sharpenin' for over 30 years, if ya could do a poll I'd bet at least 30% freehand to some extent whether it's just a touch up or all out reprofilin'.

If ya took that poll in the Traditional forum or the WS&S I'd bet it's even higher.

Is it a dyin' art, I don't think so but with the harder super steels I think it's a little more of a learnin' curve there fore requirin' more practice with better stones/hones.
 
I only freehand, simply because its a technique that is necessary if a knife needs resharpened in the field.
 
I started out trying to learn freehand and was not successful. I then got a Sharpmaker and I used it as my primary sharpening method. From there, I learned how to judge angles using the preset angles of the Sharpmaker. I then used my new found knowledge to give freehand another try and now I only used my Sharpmaker stones as bench stones to freehand.
 
Hawkings said:
Your not allowed to bring a guided sharpener with you in the field :confused:
Click to expand...

It's not impossible but most guided systems are more cumbersome and less convenient to use in the field. A simple stone or small strop is much easier to carry and use on the fly.
 
I sucked it up bought some stones and have been working at it ever since. The first few knives I did the grinds were horrible.....you can visibly see the different angles on them...... I got a zt0551 in with a pretty terrible factory grind on it the other day. After working for about 2 hours on it with a DMT coarse, it looks great. I didn't get a chance to go all the way to extra fine, but it's on the list of things to do. I enjoy it, I find it to be pretty relaxing. My problem is that when I start, I lose track of time and look up and it's 1am.
 
I've been freehanding since I was 11. Back then I worked at a small fishing resort and my job was as a boathand or "dock-boy". Duties included cleaning all the guests' catches which meant keeping my Normark Rapala razor sharp. Cleaning 20 fish a day up to and including Muskie was not uncommon. One stone, no strop. By the end of the summer season the stone was so dished that I could snap it in two with my bare hands.
Only recently have I been tinkering with other sharpening methods. Gonna give the paper wheels a go, and play around with the scary sharp methodology. I'll always be a freehander though.
 
aznpos531 said:
It's not impossible but most guided systems are more cumbersome and less convenient to use in the field. A simple stone or small strop is much easier to carry and use on the fly.
Click to expand...


Hit the nail on the head. I'm sure some would bring a guided sharpening system, but in my job as a wilderness guide and instructor, its important to cut weight in any possible aspect and I always plan for the worse, what happens when your knife dulls and you didn't bring your sharp maker, can you find a stone that'll work and sharpen your blade or is that knife now worthless? It truly is a skill set that is done by feel and if you ever get the chance to learn from someone who has been hand sharpening for years, take it as there are tricks and tips that can only be gained by experience.
 
I freehand sharpen all of my knives. I would like to get a Wicked Edge system but even then i'll still free hand for the more frequent touch-ups. The sharpener will be to get a nice polished edge or if I want to change the edge geometry on any of my blades.
 
I free hand with sandpaper and strops. It has worked great for me since I have learned the technique. Works great in the field if needed as well
 
I can never get anything right with those sharpening systems eventhough I followed the instruction to a T...

I get good edge by freehand, nothing fancy but hair whitting so I'm happy.
 
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