Getting better at sharpening without practicing :)

[mrdeus]

Because of health issues I've had to put off all my sharpening this spring. When I sharpened my knives again in the end of July I hadn't sharpened anything since February.

Even though I hadn't sharpened for that long, it felt like I was better at it than I remembered. As if my brain had continued to improve my technique even though I didn't practice.

It could also be because I was doing the sharpening at my parents' summer place out in the woods and could take all the time I wanted to

http://instagram.com/p/qwwztCQjEa/

 

[Jason B.]

Good beer, great stones, and a awesome view!

 

[awestib]

I like that waterstone setup too!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Because of health issues I've had to put off all my sharpening this spring. When I sharpened my knives again in the end of July I hadn't sharpened anything since February.

Even though I hadn't sharpened for that long, it felt like I was better at it than I remembered. As if my brain had continued to improve my technique even though I didn't practice.

It could also be because I was doing the sharpening at my parents' summer place out in the woods and could take all the time I wanted to

http://instagram.com/p/qwwztCQjEa/

Lots of truth in that. I tend to think about sharpening almost all the time, even when I otherwise don't have the opportunity or sometimes the desire to put my hands to work. Especially now that I'm getting 'older', my hands and eyes do actually need a break sometimes. But my mind keeps workin' away, and I've noticed that the 'visualization' of sharpening makes a difference the next time I pick up blade & stone. It's long been known that professional athletes do a lot of visualization exercises (pro golfers are known for this, when lining up shots & picturing where the ball will go), so I've never doubted how effective it can be.

And when one is relaxed and comfortable, as with a nice setting out in the country, all the better. :thumbup:


David

 

[J-P SAN]

Lots of truth in that. I tend to think about sharpening almost all the time, even when I otherwise don't have the opportunity or sometimes the desire to put my hands to work. Especially now that I'm getting 'older', my hands and eyes do actually need a break sometimes. But my mind keeps workin' away, and I've noticed that the 'visualization' of sharpening makes a difference the next time I pick up blade & stone. It's long been known that professional athletes do a lot of visualization exercises (pro golfers are known for this, when lining up shots & picturing where the ball will go), so I've never doubted how effective it can be.

And when one is relaxed and comfortable, as with a nice setting out in the country, all the better. :thumbup:


David

Was going to say that thing about athletes when I read first post, but David beat me to it : )

 

[HeavyHanded]

Sometimes a little time off can allow things to sort themselves out a bit. Last Spring I started getting into slinging, Balearic type slings. Initially was a dangerous menace but eventually got to a point where the shot usually went with a 20* sweep in the right direction, no better. Took a month and a half off and came back to it. Prior one could have casually stood 20 yrds out and derided me the whole time, now I'm hitting as often as I miss (the target is pretty large though). Still, the time off helped quite a bit.

 

[mrdeus]

I like that waterstone setup too!

I have the same setup at home too, except I use the kitchen sink instead of a plastic tub. It worked very well sitting down, though. So I might have to make something like this so that I can sharpen on the balcony when the weather is nice.