Hopefully new sharpening question

[MVF]

I stayed up really late last night reading many pages of the results of a search on Gatco sharpeners- the reason being that I don't seem to have much luck with my Sharpmaker (its an older one without the video). After reading so much, I may now understand why (of course it could just be my technique).

Anyway- I had also been reading up on sharpening convex edges (I just got a Busse FSH ) and now I have a question- Can I just use the same sharpening technique (varying grades of wet/dry sandpaper over a piece of leather and then strop) to do all my knives and skip buying the Gatco? I understand that will "convex" all my edges- but isn't that a good edge anyway?

Please feel free to "let me have it"- I'm the poster boy for that saying about "a little bit of knowledge...."

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Can I just use the same sharpening technique (varying grades of wet/dry sandpaper over a piece of leather and then strop) to do all my knives and skip buying the Gatco?

Yes, just vary the curvature among the different knives similar as you would the angle of a v-grind.

-Cliff

 

[Blop]

Agree, but if there is one knife you want the sharpest edge on it, leave the V-grind.

Instead of leather an old mousepad will do the job. It depends on the stiffnes of the underlay how convex the edge will be. Softer will round more than stiffer. You see, if you lay the paper on hard wood, you get the V back.

You may want to try out different underlays like leather, mousepad or something else. The smart aspect is: You come to a great general purpose edge without spending much money.

 

[MVF]

Thanks guys. Will this be as easy as it seems- or is it still real easy to screw up?

 

[Blop]

What?

Okay, i started convexing a few month ago. Instead of the recommended 13° angle i held the blade a bit higher without dulling it, so it seems to be a forgiving thing.

Once i tried to go as i would use stones. Meaning grinding one side till a burr arises. This worked well to.

So if you are used to sharpen your knives freehand, there should be no difference except on stones you push the edge against and on convexing you pull it back, trailing.

If you are not used to keep an angle, you need a suport clip. Cheap, effectiv.

 

[DGG]

I stayed up really late last night reading many pages of the results of a search on Gatco sharpeners- the reason being that I don't seem to have much luck with my Sharpmaker (its an older one without the video). After reading so much, I may now understand why (of course it could just be my technique).

Anyway- I had also been reading up on sharpening convex edges (I just got a Busse FSH ) and now I have a question- Can I just use the same sharpening technique (varying grades of wet/dry sandpaper over a piece of leather and then strop) to do all my knives and skip buying the Gatco? I understand that will "convex" all my edges- but isn't that a good edge anyway?

Please feel free to "let me have it"- I'm the poster boy for that saying about "a little bit of knowledge...."

Here is a link to info on Convex edges that may be of assistance to you.

http://www.mhcable.com/~yocraft/sosak/convex.htm

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Will this be as easy as it seems- or is it still real easy to screw up?

Using a soft medium for the backing removes much of the angle control required so is generally easier than flat benchstones.

-Cliff