Help with 119

R

RedEdge77

Joined
Jul 13, 2005
Messages
2,303
alright heres the problem. I can not get a shaving edge on my 119.

So any tips would help cause this is really annoying
 
rededge77,
Your post is lacking details and I know nothing of your sharpening skill so it is a bit difficult to know where to start. That being said, it is my experience that properly treated steels (and your 119 certainly should meet any such criteria) that prove difficult to accept a shaving sharp edge often suffer from having too little relief. In other words, the edge is too thick. I recommend that you begin by removing some of the thickness by sharpening with a coarse or extra coarse hone at perhaps 17-20 degrees. Then, put your normal edge on the blade at about 22-25 degrees starting with the coarser hone and gradually working your way to a finer hone. You should find that this slight "thinning" of the edge does the trick.
I use a Lansky system with diamond hones but even if you do it by hand, this should work. I just like the diamond stones because they remove more steel with less effort and the Lansky jig makes it easy for me to maintain a consistent angle.
Also, I have seen posts on sharpening in other parts of Bladeforums that may better address the specific problem you are having. Good Luck!!
Larry
 
oh sorry for lack lack of detail. i got the burr and then sharpened on the other side of it until it was down and it still wasn't sharp. i'm gonna try what you said because the edge is pretty thick

Thanks
 
jeez. still no luck with it. I've used coarse stones, medium coarse, and fine grit. This edge just doesn't want to budge. I've decided this knife will be my beater/user now since it wasn't that expensive unless i can get the stinkin edge on it
 
I just got a 119 and it came razor sharp. When I need to touch up or sharpen, I use an EZ-LAP diamond stone 4 inches long. It never takes more than 5 minutes to restore the edge to shaving sharp. It's all in keeping the proper angle and gradually lighten the blade pressure on the stone. Make sure you use equal strokes on both sides, and when you gwt to the burr, strop on the leather pouch the stone came in or a leather belt. That always works for me. Hope this helps, Jim
 
I used my Spyderco sharpener with the sticks at 30*. Shaves like a charm. Holds the edge pretty well too.
Bob
 
Red,,,
if you can't resolve a good edge, might want to send it to Buck for a factory sharpening. Describe your problem and they can determine if there is an actual blade problem or not. I don't think the sharpening fee is much.
 
If none of these tricks does the job for you, send the knife to Buck, to my attention, and I will take a look. I can't sharpen worth a darn but we have some pretty talented folks here that can. We will waive the sharpening fee too.
I have had very good luck with the Lansky system by the way. One trick is to color the edge with a black felt pen. Do a couple of strokes on the stone and if you evenly removed the ink, you are at the correct angle. Once I get a burr, i alternate sides on a fine stone until the burr falls off.
Hope this helps,
 
Actually......I could never (and cannot) see why knives have to be shaving sharp.

My knives are very sharp and do everything I need them to do......but I buy these cheap little plastic razor things from Gillette for shaving.

:D
 
You would never get done field dressing 3 or 4 deer and quartering them up to put in ice chests with dull knives. If a knife will shave hair, it is ready to work. Is my best test for sharpening one.

Maybe thats it. Just an easy test to see when it is sharp.
 
Around here, we use a saw for most of that quartering stuff.

(I think the shaving thing is mostly fun to talk about.)

;)
 
In my area there is a knife shop that charges $1.00 to sharpen any knife. I have had several done (even a few 2-bladers), and they all come back shaving sharp. Can't beat that with a stick!

I can do it but this sure beats spending those hours of work.
 
I agree that if the knife is sharp enough to safely do the task you have for it, it does not need to be shaving sharp.
The only thing I would add to that though is that sometimes, if it is not shaving sharp, it means you still have a burr to remove. Sometimes the burr will fall off by itself but other times it just rolls over and you end up with a dull spot.
There is no doubt that it is a pride issue though when you get those hairs popping off your arm before the edge even gets there! Now thats sharp! :)
 
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