Help with sharpening...

I've had the Edge Pro Apex for a little while now, and I have to say I really love it. It puts a very even and very sharp v-grind on my knives easily.

I have also put a convex edge on knives with the Edge Pro by gluing a piece of mouse pad to an empty blank and putting sticky-back sandpaper over it. It works well with pull strokes. I'm looking into a better way to attach the sandpaper, or to possibly just use a compound on mouse pad or leather.

As nice as the convex edges I've used are, I usually use a V-grind, as it's very simple to do with almost any system, and can be very sharp when properly polished.

On the other hand, my Leech Lake Fillet Knife just wouldn't look right with a V-Grind. I've no doubt that it would be just as sharp, but the aesthetics of the knife would be diminished.
 
We have started sharing what we call an "Adventure Knife", a High Endurance Performance Knife that can be used by anyone who whats to try one out. They put down a deposit, pay or shipping to and from the Willow Bow Ranch and get to use the knife for their hunt, the only charge is that they have to write up a story about their hunt.

The first three hunts have taught me a lot about the real world of the knife on a hunt as the knife is required to adapt to the individual using her.

Each person who used her has needed a different edge geometry. For this reason I feel that our individual ability (art) to develop the edge is crucial to our individual satisfaction with the knife. The requirement for a blade is to be able to adapt (for lack of a better word at this time) to the individual is the responsability of the maker.

These thoughts are developing as her experiences continue. I am trying to communicate here just because I feel some will appreciate the thoughts.

We get used to slicing stuff like styrofoam, tissue paper and call a blade sharp. The knife on a hunt requires something different. Each person uses a knife in a personal manner. This seems to vary from person to person much like no two individuals are the same.

The way I see it at this time, we as individuals need to use a knife doing our jobs our way, then learn how to develop the best edge to sute our methods. The maker who tries to define how the blade will be used can and will learn a lot through the examination of his blades after they have been used by the owner.

Call this food for thought.
 
hey ed, that's a really generous idea. Just came from your forum and have to say she is beautiful!
 
...still waiting for any feedback on the PA 70 honing compound...I know its 3 micron now but based on what people are saying its a little too coarse still. Would you recommend I sue it? lastly, knifenut, you said that unless the leather is compressed, i would need compound, how can i tell if it is compressed leather or not?
 
learnme said:
...still waiting for any feedback on the PA 70 honing compound...I know its 3 micron now but based on what people are saying its a little too coarse still. Would you recommend I sue it? lastly, knifenut, you said that unless the leather is compressed, i would need compound, how can i tell if it is compressed leather or not?
Click to expand...

I would have now problem using it. An other way to make a cheap but effective strop in to stretch a peace of old jeans over a peace of wood and put that honing compound on it and than strop. Works for me. I have seen the man from Rockstead use this method at knife shows to keep his very hard convex edges sharp.

JD
 
learnme said:
I've actually been using my dc4 pouch as a makeshift strop. Wasn't too sure it was working though because I still have not been able to get a mirrors edge. How long does it normally take?
Click to expand...

Without the aid of a polishing compound you won't get the edges mirror polished but they will be plenty sharp if used correctly.
 
So is there a video link that shows how to sharpen a knife?
I have a sog seal pup elite and im not sure the best method to sharpen it, Im more of a visual learner than reading it.
 
ok, my sharpening skills are miles from when i first started and cant wait to get my hands on some compound. The knives I have sharpened can fillet paper, shave hair but not wuite "pop" them off, slice through paper *not really push cut yet, and i cant slice a free hanging hair. I am using my new F1 3G as the point of reference for what a sharp knife is. I figure that once i strop the knives they will be able to do everything the F1 can in terms of sharpness. Am I wrong in thinking this?

lastly, I read and watched that looking down an edge, if you look at it under a light and if a glint reflects off the edge then it is not sharpened properly. I can get the whole edge except for one section to not reflect the light. No matter what i do or how many passes I do i cant get rid of that reflection. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions. Thanx.

FYI, I sharpen on a DC4.
 
you may have a little burr left at that spot thats still reflecting light..start out by doing a couple really light passes on your fine stone but spine 1st like when your stropping and a slightly increased angle to see if you can wipe that burr off. if its not a burr then id go back to your fine stone and work that area some more with your normal sharpening techniques and bring up a burr both ways then wipe away...
 
learnme said:
Which product would you recommend? Also, on leather, what consists of quality leather? Is it how thick, how stiff, smell, *all of the above??? How can i know if it is compounded leather or not?
Click to expand...

Almost any leather will work, you can even use MDF but if you want quality look into handamerican. I would start with a 1 micron compound.

Smell, LOL, yeah sometimes. First diamond compound I tried was Amplex and when applied to the leather it smelled like animal blood.
 
Ed Fowler said:
Each person uses a knife in a personal manner. This seems to vary from person to person much like no two individuals are the same.

Call this food for thought.
Click to expand...

Ed, I must respectfully disagree.

In gun clubs, and hunter safety courses, we teach people how to use a rifle properly and safely. Just because "This here's the way grampa did it, an' he got a decent buck every year" doesn't mean that "grampa" was a rifle expert. Maybe, just maybe, "grampa" didn't know a damn thing about rifles, but he was a good enough hunter to make up for it.

I would like to see the true experts like yourself and other custom makers, start teaching people the best, safest and correct way way to use cutlery.

You could start by explaining the difference between a knife, a crowbar, a screwdriver and an axe. :(
 
Ben Dover said:
Ed, I must respectfully disagree.

In gun clubs, and hunter safety courses, we teach people how to use a rifle properly and safely. Just because "This here's the way grampa did it, an' he got a decent buck every year" doesn't mean that "grampa" was a rifle expert. Maybe, just maybe, "grampa" didn't know a damn thing about rifles, but he was a good enough hunter to make up for it.

I would like to see the true experts like yourself and other custom makers, start teaching people the best, safest and correct way way to use cutlery.

You could start by explaining the difference between a knife, a crowbar, a screwdriver and an axe. :(
Click to expand...

LOZ, i duno what your smoking, but I am so glad im not into guns. First off, i think you did not understand the point Ed was trying to get across, especially with reference to the quote you used. Simply put, he was saying that each and every person is different, as a result, the way each and every different person uses a knife will be without a doubt, BE different.

Next up, I personally think that there is no comparison between knives and guns. Knives are an intimate, refine able, tool that can be, as Ed pointed out, molded to the needs of its wielder. A gun is made for one thing and one thing only. You don't need to teach proper knife use because basic common sense is all you need unlike with guns. Our wives, our daughters, our sons, everyone has used a knife because it is a tool. There are laws that dictate a specific way to deal with and handle guns. So as for your request to have Ed and other experts to "start teaching people the best, safest and correct way way to use cutlery" I don't think that is needed. Its like teaching someone the proper way to use a pencil....................................... 0_o

Lastly, I mean this in the best way possible and don't want to sound rude but, your suggestion that Ed start by "explaining the difference between a knife, a crowbar, a screwdriver and an axe"....are you serious? Because if you do not know the difference between those things then you should not be a gun user/owner. An axe and a screwdriver, a crowbar and a knife.... really?!?
 
learnme said:
...

Lastly, I mean this in the best way possible and don't want to sound rude but, your suggestion that Ed start by "explaining the difference between a knife, a crowbar, a screwdriver and an axe"....are you serious? Because if you do not know the difference between those things then you should not be a gun user/owner. An axe and a screwdriver, a crowbar and a knife.... really?!?
Click to expand...

Learnme, I must say, your post shows that you really have learned a lot. Regarding the way each person uses a knife, and how personal they are, you definately "get it".

With regard to the part I quoted, I think I understand what Ben is saying. He is not questioning Ed's understanding of the difference. Unfortunately, many people do not seem to know the difference, and they try to use their knives to pry open doors or boxes, or to turn screws. It is frustrating when you read a thread that says "My knife must be defective, because the tip broke off when I was turning a screw!"

I don't know Ben Dover's qualifications, but I would be the last to argue with Ed Fowler. His experience commands respect. His blades speak for themselves. I can only hope to someday be as well known and regarded as Ed.
 
Learnme,

My last paragraph was a sarcastic jab at the jackasses that try to use a knife as '" an all purpose tool."

A knife is designed and manufactured for cutting, it's not an axe, crowbar, etc. Yet some folks try to use them that way.

When someone brings you his $300 high quality hunting knife to sharpen the day before the season opens, and it has no cutting edge left, and hge tells you that the knife is a P.O.S. because the idiot spent the summer cutting barb wire and staples, and other metal with it, you'll understand what I meant.

NO ONE is born with the natural instinct to use cutlery, (or any other tool) correctly. It's a learned skill, like shooting. Hopefully, with a good instructor like Ed Fowler.
 
Good points, Ed. With effort, we could figure out which edge finish at XX degrees cuts rope with the least effort, but no test will tell us the "best" geometry or finish for each persons use of a knife. My view in general is that each user has to figure that out for themselves, and the way to do it is to learn how to sharpen, and experiment & learn through use. Though I would be impressed if a maker asked me the questions you refer to about my use for the knife, and then tailored the edge and geometry based on that. Sharpness tests are fun and interesting, but they might not leave you with the edge you would prefer for cutting the things you cut on a day to day basis.
 
Broos said:
Good points, Ed. With effort, we could figure out which edge finish at XX degrees cuts rope with the least effort, but no test will tell us the "best" geometry or finish for each persons use of a knife. My view in general is that each user has to figure that out for themselves, and the way to do it is to learn how to sharpen, and experiment & learn through use. Though I would be impressed if a maker asked me the questions you refer to about my use for the knife, and then tailored the edge and geometry based on that. Sharpness tests are fun and interesting, but they might not leave you with the edge you would prefer for cutting the things you cut on a day to day basis.
Click to expand...

Broos,

You're absolutely correct! But you're also assuming that the customer knows what kind of knife he needs, and how to use it once he gets one that "fits" his needs!

My point was simply that most folks out buying a knife today aren't experienced or trained well enough to even know what they need.

Experience may well be the best teacher, but it's also the most expensive.
 
learnme said:
So as for your request to have Ed and other experts to "start teaching people the best, safest and correct way way to use cutlery" I don't think that is needed. Its like teaching someone the proper way to use a pencil....................................... 0_o
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure everyone is taught how to use a pencil, I recall being taught when i was young, and I have been working with my three year old son for over a year about the "right way" to hold and use a pencil.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top