I got my method from a guy at a gun and knife show, who was sharpening knives on a machine that he makes and sells for sharpening, after talking to him, he agreed to make a blade clamp for me. I made a fixture for my bader, and using the blade clamp, similar to a lansky clamp, and the platen, run the speed down as slow as it will go. start with a fresh J-flex 120 grit and establish a burr, then go to a 600 grit and work the burr down as fine as I can, then go to a felt polishing belt with white compound and buff the burr off. All is done edge down, and this is on a new knife never sharpened, or one that is in bad shape. This works for me to get a hair popping edge. I am going to try the same method with a slack belt, for a convex edge, should work. If anyone is interested in more info on the fixture, I would post pics of it, its pretty simple.
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How do you guys get your knives shaving sharp?
- Thread starter Leu Custom
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2008
- Messages
- 110
I just tried loading a strop with mag and aluminum polish from your local auto parts store, ran a straight razor on it and boy did it get cleaned up quick! no grab when it shaves now!! tried this cause that polish is easier for me to find than many others, and fairly cheap! and i am always trying new stuff
peace
jt
peace
jt
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2004
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- 3,041
+1 Works every time. I dont even think about sharpening any more. The idea of taking a 100% finished knife and putting its blade near a grinder used to scare me. I once sneezed and ruined a knife. I avoid sharpening with anything that can wreck a knife faster than I can prevent it.
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- Jun 2, 2007
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- 1,354
Wow guys, thanks for all the responses ! Generally I grind a blade post heat treat with a fresh 40 grit belt, form a burr, buff off the burr and then strop on a piece of leather ....now i can just imagine if i used a much higher grit belt how much sharper they'd be !
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- Oct 6, 2008
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40-grit edge? Really?
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2008
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- 70
On a variable speed grinder, I use a 220 or 320 grit belt to start, then a worn 400 and finish out with a carbide 800 grit. Hit it on the buffer, makes the edge so sharp it's scary.
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- Apr 14, 2007
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- 2,738
JD...I would like to have a look see.......
Here is the fixture that I use on my Bader Blll to sharpen my knives, that rayban ask for.
The first one is the blade clamp
the next one is the jig for the grinder
the next shot shows the jig bolted to the combination arm, where the tool rest bolts on
the next shot is with a knife in the clamp and held in position to sharpen. You can adjust the angle by ajusting the two all thread bolts in or out. I use an angle finder held on the blade to determine the angle of the secondary bevel.
I use a combination arm instead of the platen arm, but it should bolt up very similar.
The clamp would be easy to make if you have a milling machine, could even be made by grinding. The board at the top has a groove cut in it for the rods to slide in as a guide, and the board is setting about a 1/2" behind the belt, looking at it from the side. I hope this is clear enough to understand, if not I will try to explain it better if you email or PM me here.
The first one is the blade clamp
the next one is the jig for the grinder
the next shot shows the jig bolted to the combination arm, where the tool rest bolts on
the next shot is with a knife in the clamp and held in position to sharpen. You can adjust the angle by ajusting the two all thread bolts in or out. I use an angle finder held on the blade to determine the angle of the secondary bevel.
I use a combination arm instead of the platen arm, but it should bolt up very similar.
The clamp would be easy to make if you have a milling machine, could even be made by grinding. The board at the top has a groove cut in it for the rods to slide in as a guide, and the board is setting about a 1/2" behind the belt, looking at it from the side. I hope this is clear enough to understand, if not I will try to explain it better if you email or PM me here.