Good knives to learn sharpening on? Under $60.00?

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Humint

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Apr 1, 2011
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Figured I would come to the source. I just purchased a Wicked Edge (Pro-Pack II, extra stones, case, etc). I am already good at sharpening free-hand and on the Sharpmaker however I understand there is a slight learning curve with the Wicked Edge as well as the diamond stones need to be broken in with a couple of knives.

With that said, I don't want to start on my numerous Striders or Sebenzas. So I am currently looking for suggestions as to what knives I should be looking at to start practicing on (and no I do not want to get some random cheap kitchen knives and practice on those). I prefer good quality cheaper (under $60.00) folding knives to practice on that have pretty decent steel (I don't want the steel to be too crappy or soft as to not present a little challenge while sharpening).

So far I just ordered a Spyderco Endura 4 FFG. I plan on getting at least 5 folding knives and just looking for suggestions. What do you guys think?
 
Maybe a couple of Kershaw blems? You could probably score a couple for $60.
 
Take any knives you want out of your kitchen or your friends kitchens. People probably wont mind having them sharpened.
 
Inazone said:
Maybe a couple of Kershaw blems? You could probably score a couple for $60.
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I agree with this and would also throw out:

Cold Steel Tuff-Lite or Mini (both really small with good steel and heat treat, and pretty inexpensive, heck you could get both)

Buck Bantam of any size

Cold Steel Kudu (yes, this is a very cheap knife at less than $10, and the steel might be too soft for you, not sure, but something I would consider a perfect cheap beater to sharpen. I definitely notice a difference in mine).

Anything from Kershaw's "budget/value" stuff, you could definitely score at least 3 for under $60.
 
Find a dollar store and buy several blade styles, not worth the risk if your a new to sharpening & ruin the blade on that amount of money.
 
Kudu is a great idea. I have one in my tool box that I will sharpen up. Also I am not new to sharpening at all, just new to the Wicked Edge.
 
Humint said:
Kudu is a great idea. I have one in my tool box that I will sharpen up. Also I am not new to sharpening at all, just new to the Wicked Edge.
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Great! I get it completely. I wasn't new to sharpening either when I got my first diamond stone but I was new to that type of stone and it took a little practice. I have never used a sharpening system, I'll be interested to hear how it works out for you.

Despite it's price and "cheap feel" the Kudu takes a really nice edge in my opinion, and even if you manage to ruin it, you can replace it ten times over and not worry too much. Honestly it's a great knife (and the lockup feature is kind of cool in my opinion.)
 
Your Endura will come very sharp, won't need reprofiling and given VG-10 you won't have to sharpen it soon. Not sure why you would not want to start with cheap dull knives to get practice. Dull knives, particularly where the tip has been brutalized, and have chips are the best practice knives. A gun show is a good place to pick up those. Sharpen your relatives kitchen knives first, then your buddies knives and then your coworkers.
 
Cheap gun show bucket of cheap knives is a good idea.
Kershaw skyline is pretty cheap and takes a keen edge.
 
brownshoe said:
Your Endura will come very sharp, won't need reprofiling and given VG-10 you won't have to sharpen it soon. Not sure why you would not want to start with cheap dull knives to get practice. Dull knives, particularly where the tip has been brutalized, and have chips are the best practice knives. A gun show is a good place to pick up those. Sharpen your relatives kitchen knives first, then your buddies knives and then your coworkers.
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Pretty much nailed what I was going to say! Sharpen ALL the kitchen knives! And your buddies' knives. Anything dull you can lay your hands on!
 
AntDog said:
Pretty much nailed what I was going to say! Sharpen ALL the kitchen knives! And your buddies' knives. Anything dull you can lay your hands on!
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Oh I was not going to just sharpen them right out of the box. With the amount of cutting I do I can dull a blade pretty fast. I was going to use the Endura until it is dull and then sharpen it.
 
It could be any cheap knife. I have a few Kershaws I practice on that are 8cr13mov, but most people think that it is a bad steel, because they read too many forums. I understand you want more of a challenge. A Spyderco Delica in VG-10 should be around $50-60, but probably not a huge difference between 8cr13mov. If you're planning on getting 5 knives, maybe consider a Spyderco Dragonfly in ZDP-189. You might be able to get it for around $60-75, depending if it's used or not. It may too small for you though. I would suggest picking up 3 $100 knives, instead of 5 $60 knives. (If you're not new to sharpening, just use a cheap knife on your new sharpening system until you get the hang of it)
 
When I first started sharpening, I'd grab unused knives from work or home to practice.

For folders, I'd buy a cheap gift knife from a tobacco shop, last one was 5 bucks.

You could find knives at the 99 cents store, my bartender buys em all the time and has me sharpen them. Some of them aren't bad for being 99 cents.
 
When I first started sharpening, I'd grab unused knives from work or home to practice.

For folders, I'd buy a cheap gift knife from a tobacco shop, last one was 5 bucks.

You could find knives at the 99 cents store, my bartender buys em all the time and has me sharpen them. Some of them aren't bad for being 99 cents.
 
Pick up 3 different sized Opinels and maybe a couple of Moras. After you get them sharp, blunt the edges a couple of times and sharpen them again. When you are finished have a GAW and buy yourself a $200 knife.
 
For practicing, get some Byrd or Kershaws in 8Cr13MoV. Decent steel that can really be sharpened well. Too cheap a knife, you might think it's your skill, but it might be the steel.
 
Chris "Anagarika";13925588 said:
For practicing, get some Byrd or Kershaws in 8Cr13MoV. Decent steel that can really be sharpened well. Too cheap a knife, you might think it's your skill, but it might be the steel.
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Any, and I mean ANY knife steel can be sharpened. From cheapo on up to very expensive. The dirt cheap ones are usually the easiest to sharpen.
 
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Opinels and Svord Peasants are good practice knives. They both respond well to sharpening and both often need it when first bought. They are both also likely to need a small amount of reprofiling, or at least respond very well to it. They also take excellent edges. They're also great value and inexpensive, so when you're done you'll have some great user knives.
 
Well the only reason I am hesitant to buy super super cheap knives is that some of the steel are really easy to sharpen. Which can make you think you are indeed a master sharpener. Again, I am not new to sharpening but any new system has a learning curve. Learning on higher end steels and mastering them will make someone more confident in their skills. With that said I just ordered 2 Buck 847s Vantage Pro Force knives. The steel is S30v with the Paul Bos heat treat. They are cheap enough that it won't hurt as much if I mess up their edges compared to my Striders and Sebenzas. Here is my list (in order that I will attempt to sharpen):

1. Cold Steel Kudu (4116 Stainless)
2. Spyderco Cara Cara 2 (8Cr13MoV)
3. Ontario Rat 1 (AUS8)
4. Cold Steel American Lawman (AUS8a)
5. Kershaw Skyline (Sandvik 14C28N)
6. Spyderco Resilience (8Cr13MoV)
7. Spyderco Endura 4 (VG10)
8. Buck Pro Force Vantage (S30v)
9. Buck Pro Force Vantage (S30v)
10. Large Sebenza 21 (S35vn)
11. Strider SnG (S30v)

By the Buck's the stones should be broken in (maybe). I may through a few co-workers knives in the mix there as well.
 
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