guided sharpener for small blades?

C

Chewy1

Joined
Jun 5, 2006
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I hope that you'll pardon me posting in this category, but my question is about small pen blades and such found on traditional knives.

Recently, a wonderful Queen Large Congress in D2 has found it's way into my collection. It's wonderful, except for those blasted butterknife edges.

I tried my hand for a number of hours to get it sharp on sandpaper and a mousepad, which is my preferred method, but after having sore shoulder, I give up! So, I'd like to try one of those guided systems with diamond stones, but I'm worried about them being able to do the little pen blades without having the stone hit the clamp.

Which system would you all recommend? Mind you, free hand isn't my thing at all, and this is blunt D2.

Thanks!!
 
Moved but with a link left in the Traditional Forum.

If you want to use a guided system, my suggestion would be the DMT Magna-Guide (or Aligner) system. Another alternative would be the GATCO Edgemate.
 
I have used the GATCO clamp with my DMT diamond hones and actually prefer it to the DMT clamp. (I can get a more acute, sharper edge on pen blades with it.)

(I have no experience with DMT's diamond hones, only aluminum oxide.)
 
How are they for profiling D2? I don't necessarily need diamonds, and can get a regular set cheaper, I think
 
Chewy1 said:
How are they for profiling D2? I don't necessarily need diamonds, and can get a regular set cheaper, I think
Click to expand...

Think diamonds...diamonds...diamonds...

(and in case I wasn't clear...diamonds! ;))

I like diamond hones a lot. I do like to finish on ceramic but prefer to do the profiling and major sharpening on the diamond hones. (Unless I'm in the mood to use the EdgePro.)
 
Ah, grasshopper begins to understand. Diamonds are a knife's best friend.

Good, that's the way I'll go then. I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
 
So, I was looking at a DMT Aligner Deluxe (Coarse, Fine, Extra Fine) and then picking up an Extra Extra Fine stone, too. The Magna Guide stuff is just a bit too pricey for me.

Do you think that would work decent enough on pen blades and other smaller knives?

(Later on, I think I'll switch to the Lansky clamp which looked sturdier to my eye.)
 
Chewy1 said:
So, I was looking at a DMT Aligner Deluxe (Coarse, Fine, Extra Fine) and then picking up an Extra Extra Fine stone, too. The Magna Guide stuff is just a bit too pricey for me.

Do you think that would work decent enough on pen blades and other smaller knives?

(Later on, I think I'll switch to the Lansky clamp which looked sturdier to my eye.)
Click to expand...

Excellent choice and I think you'll be very pleased. (Though I would pick up an Extra-Coarse hone before worrying about the Extra-Extra Fine.)

Now, if I may make a further recommendation, the GATCO clamp is also available in metal and offers more angles than the Lansky. Should you decide to supplement the DMT system with an additonal clamp & base, have a look here:

http://www.gatcosharpeners.com/product/acc_components/clamp_angle.mgi?mgiToken=41D30B031026F526EFB

You're well on your way. :thumbup:
 
Found a DMT Aligner set with 4 stones on knifeworks...X-coarse, coarse, fine, extra-fine. Took me a little over an hour to do all four blades on the Congress. My convexing wasn't too far off! (yes, I'm pleased with myself.) After working to extra-fine, I stropped it on the back of a wet/dry on a mousepad. Worked good enough for me. Next stop will be the x-x-fine or ceramic. No time soon, though. I have to go underground for a while on my purchases.

THANK YOU!!!!
 
Chewy1 said:
Found a DMT Aligner set with 4 stones on knifeworks...X-coarse, coarse, fine, extra-fine. Took me a little over an hour to do all four blades on the Congress. My convexing wasn't too far off! (yes, I'm pleased with myself.) After working to extra-fine, I stropped it on the back of a wet/dry on a mousepad. Worked good enough for me. Next stop will be the x-x-fine or ceramic. No time soon, though. I have to go underground for a while on my purchases.

THANK YOU!!!!
Click to expand...

Happy to have been able to help. :cool:
 
Up date. So the extra fine will take you to 1200 grit. So, I wrapped that stone with some 2000 grit wet/dry, which is pretty thin stuff. That polished the edge even more. Then I thought, I'll just flip the paper over and wrap the stone again. I stropped all four blades with the back of the wet/dry for quite a while. All I can do is grin. I not only have a great new knife, but a great way to sharpen it.

Just wish that I hadn't removed so much metal with the 60 grit sand paper trying to convex it. Only a knifenut would notice, but I moved the edge back a good bit before crying out for help here.

One more time...THANKS!
 
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