help sharpening a recurve?

mike deibert

mike deibert

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
378
It may just be me but I have been having one heck of a time sharpening my first recurve blade. I am using Norton stones and a DMT "stone". I have had success with other blades but the recurve just doesn't want to lay down all the way as I'm drawing the blade across the stone. The midsection of the blade seems to be untouched. This is surely due to my lack of experience but can anyone help me to do this right? Do I need to use something other that a flat stone? I would really appreciate some ideas or thoughts.
Thanks,
Mike
 
flat stone won't do it, what knife?

comes down to croc sticks or thin stones.
 
Skimo,
It is a knife that I made. I love the look and feel of a recurve so I made one. I had no idea it would be so difficult to sharpen. Can you explain a little more?
I really appreciate the help!
Mike
 
Round the corner of your norton, you need a little radius to reach into the part your missing. Slim stones like DMT dia-folds work on some recurves but you really need a stone with some curve.
 
I definitely prefer a round rod for sharpening recurves, but yeah any rounded surface helps. This is what has worked for me: in the same way that you have to lift the knife as you trace the belly curve on a single curved blade, you need to lower the blade as you trace the "opposite" angled curve. Essentially you need to lower the blade as you sharpen from the middle of the first curve (nearest the handle) to the apex and then raise the blade as you follow through to the tip. It makes me a little seasick at times :D Does this make sense?
 
Thanks guys for the help. I kind of thought it would make sense to have a rounded stone but haven't been able to bring myself to grind on the Nortons due to how much they cost. I have also used my DMT folder but the radius is still just enough that the folder can't reach all the way inside.

As I've watched the vids on sandpaper sharpening. Would it be worthwhile putting the sandpaper over a radiused board and use that? Anyone ever heard of that working?
 
mike deibert said:
As I've watched the vids on sandpaper sharpening. Would it be worthwhile putting the sandpaper over a radiused board and use that? Anyone ever heard of that working?
Click to expand...

Yes, the sandpaper will work fine. Wrap it around a fat dowel rod.
 
sand paper on a curved surface is the easiest way , but if you want a curved stone look into slip stones or gouge stones use to sharpen wood working tools .
 
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