freehand breakthrough. Yay for me!

r8shell

r8shell

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
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I have used a few different setups that have worked quite well for me in getting my knives decently sharp (Lansky guided rod system,Sharpmaker, WorkSharp), but I never had much luck with freehand sharpening. I've felt a bit frustrated. I just feel that I should be able to do this. I don't know if it's a point of pride, or I'm worried that in a zombie apocalypse I would be like Burgess Meredith in that old Twilight Zone episode. Surrounded by knives, but with no way to sharpen them. :eek: :D

I recently found an old Carborundum stone in an antique store, and a friend gave me a Smith's Tri-hone, and I decided to give it another try. For some reason, things just clicked, and I have just successfully sharpened an old carbon steel pocket knife freehanded and I am insufferably proud of myself. Probably not to the sharpness levels some of you can get, but it is as good as I can get with the Sharpmaker and that's good enough for me.

That's all. I just had to brag. :)
 
Really push your skills with some stAinless. Carbon will sharpen real quick i have a old tri hone there awesome. Arkansas is where its at.
 
Congratulations, your getting on track... Those carborundum stones cut metal well. Especially stainless. DM
 
Congratulations !!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I know a lit of people don't agree with me, but I think getting a sharp edge on knife freehand is one of the most important skills associated with knives. The analogy you used is a good one, and you need to b able to re sharpen anywhere on almost anything. You never and tell...
 
jackknife said:
Congratulations !!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I know a lit of people don't agree with me, but I think getting a sharp edge on knife freehand is one of the most important skills associated with knives. The analogy you used is a good one, and you need to b able to re sharpen anywhere on almost anything. You never and tell...
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Thanks, Jackknife. I was hoping you'd see my post. That's because I feel bad about muttering not so nice things about you under my breath while dulling knives on a stone. :grumpy: :D You see, I've watched videos you made showing how to freehand with a coffee cup, etc. You say things like "It's really simple. Don't overthink it." And you make it look easy.

I guess 'simple' isn't the same as 'easy', but I really was inspired by your lessons, so thanks.
 
Once you develop a reference point, you can build on that. The hardest part is really just getting started - as you say, it is simple, but not easy. I cannot imagine being unable to passably freehand and reliant on a guide.
 
r8shell said:
Thanks, Jackknife. I was hoping you'd see my post. That's because I feel bad about muttering not so nice things about you under my breath while dulling knives on a stone. :grumpy: :D You see, I've watched videos you made showing how to freehand with a coffee cup, etc. You say things like "It's really simple. Don't overthink it." And you make it look easy.

I guess 'simple' isn't the same as 'easy', but I really was inspired by your lessons, so thanks.
Click to expand...

You're very welcome!!!

And no, simple is very often not the same as easy. I think we humans have a genetic defect, that a makes us want to over complicate things. Archer Fred Asbell wrote a book or two on instinctive archery. He's right up there with Howard Hill in the legendary status of traditional archers. He talks of the 'too busy mind', and how it sometimes gets in the way of our doing the simple things that should be easy. People try too hard.

I'm happy that you are getting there. One day in the not so distant future, you will find it easy. It just takes practice. If the worst happens, and you come out of the basement vault and find the apocalypse has happened, you will be able to sharpen whatever knife you have on you. JUst make sure you have spare glasses in your purse!:D

Carl.
 
Feels good when you do it freehand doesn't it? Ive been really focusing on improving my freehand skills lately too.
 
I to think its a must know skill, i watched dad and pa do it many many times. It took a long time, but i have perfected it. :o
 
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