How do you guys sharpen your bucks.

Z

Zach4542

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Nov 8, 2009
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So the title asks the question, how do you sharpen your bucks, what kind of stones do you use, how long do you take to sharpen them, whats your process.

My grandfather said he never really liked bucks because he could never keep a decent edge on them, I never had the problem of keeping them with a decent edge, but it seems I can't get them as sharp as I can with some other knives, nontheless I love buck knives.

I can get them to push cut paper easily, I can't get them to shave hair off my leg. Any advice?

Also, I use a norton 2 sided india stone, I'm thinking about getting an arkansas hard/soft stone, in which case, I would like to know what order to use them in, I thought it was India fine grit, then soft arkansas, and then hard arkansas? Is that right.

Thanks for all the help!

-Zach
 
Zach, Thats the stone I use . Coming off the Norton India fine stone (320 grit) you must use light strokes . Even then mine don't shave alot . With Buck's 420 steel I'd go to the soft Arkansas w/ any other steels I'd go to the hard Arkansas for a few strokes (5-10 ea. side) and that should cut more hair . Strop it some and it will cut even better . DM
 
I carry a little Eze-lap model L in my wallet. Most of the red plastic handle is cut off,making it pretty short. I free hand sharpen amd it takes a few miniutes to touch up a knife. I've been using the little model L for years now, since it's always there in my wallet, I can sharpen anywhere and anytime.

Don't get too hung up on angles and micro bevels and stuff like that. Learn to sharpen like your granddad did it, and you'll be able to use the bottom of a coffee mug, or the top of a rolled down car window, old carborunum stone.

Stay away from gadjets and gizmos, all they are designed to do is get your money out of your pocket and into thiers. A small pocket hone will do 99% of the time.
 
I just purchased the Gatco Diamond Hone System. I must say I'm truly impressed with this. I was finally able to put an edge on my Buck's that had been lacking a decent edge for years. Simply put, this system Rocks! :thumbup:
 
Zach,

After you have given it your best shot on the hones or stones, find an old leather belt laying around somewhere. Run the loose end through the buckle and snug it down around your boot (foot). Shoe or boot on :p natch.

Pull it tight and lay the blade flat on the leather and strop it pulling or pushing the blade away from the cutting edge.

Strop it a few times laying flat and then angle it up a tad and give it a few more licks.

This is a simplified version of stropping. Works for me and my shaving 110's.

When sharpening, try and make the same number of strokes on each side of the blade. What should be happening is rolling a burr on one edge alternately. The stropping will then remove the burr.

Feel the burr by lightly running a finger nail down across the edge. Should feel it on one side or tother..

Simplified stuff here.... The experts will be along to clarify.
 
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Sharpening is so subjective, you gotta do what works for you.

What works for me is the lansky clamp system using the 25 degree angle. Maintains a factory looking edge on both sides of the blade. Sometimes, depending on the blade and use, I will change angles.

First thing I have to do on a fresh factory blade, is get my own angle on it. After that first time, it gets easier.

Been using a lansky clamp system for better than 30 years and have sharpened 110's for buddies that couldn't sharpen them otherwise.

Everyone has their means and methods. That's my method and I'm sticking to it.

No rights, no wrongs, what ever stone, hone, or gadget you use successfully is obviously the right one for you. May have to evolve through a few before you find yours. But don't let anyone convince you that any one is better n the other. :rolleyes:;)

Maybe different friends have enough different methods and systems, you can learn on, without spending a bundle.
 
I generally touch up all my knives on a ceramic stick before they get too dull. I have no luck with gadgets so I just try to follow the original angle and sharpen free-hand.

I can get a buck 110 sharp enough to cut paper thin slices of bread, it's one of the sharpest knives I own.
DSC00253.jpg
 
A lot of good information here, I am old school and use a combination of soft, hard and then a black Arkansas stone, finish on the back of my belt. I also second the advice of staying away from gimmicks and saving the money for more knives. Like Jackknife said Learn to sharpen like your granddad did it. As Pack Rat said learn your own method it got easy for me once I stopped trying for a exact angle, relaxed and just used the angel that felt good in the wrist. Just the sound of an old BUCK on an Arkansas stone takes me back to long past hunting trips.
 
I use the cardboard wheels and I can get just about any knife to shave hair in just a minute or two unless the edge is chipped or so worn I need to put a new bevel on.....

It is the fastest and easiest sharpening system I have ever used.
 
My Buck 110's are the only knives I have, that I cut myself with every time after I sharpen them :confused:

I had to go get my 110 that hasn't been touched up in awhile to check it.
Yep. It still shaves nicely... Well, my arm was starting to look normal again :D
 
I use a Buck Products:

97062-C
Portable Diamond Sharpening System

A lightweight, portable, dual-grit diamond sharpener with a sliding case that serves as a handle. Featuring an interrupted surface to help avoid build-up, a Micro-Tool Sharpening Pad™ for concentrated sharpening and a fish hook groove. Case is made from ABS.

Diamond stones may be used with water or dry. Do not use a petroleum-based honing oil on your diamond stone.

VERY easy to use and very reliable.

I also use a:

97070-C
Diamond Pocket Sharpener

Diamond sharpener in a retractable, pen style barrel. Tapered end for serrated blades. Fish hook groove. Flat side for straight blades. Pocket clip. Portable, versatile, and durable enough for field use. Medium 400 grit.


I have used these on my Buck knives and the work GREAT!
I have also used them on my Rat Cutlery RC-6 and it make it VERY sharp.
I used the dual coarse and soft sides on the larger sharpener.

Great job Buck Knives on those two sharpening products!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I forgot to mention I also used it to put an edge on my Buck Hatchet, it worked great, took a lot less time than I thought it would take, LOL.

:)
 
sand paper
works well for me for edc using edge
on my knives, plainer blades and chisels

how i get a shaving or push cut edge is multi step
but i finish with tungsten hone rod
 
So the title asks the question, how do you sharpen your bucks, what kind of stones do you use, how long do you take to sharpen them, whats your process
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Really depends on how dull the blade has gotten from use. I like those big Norton oil stones, if they're really dull, then a few passes on a Buck diamond hone. For light touch-up, a few swipes down the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I've got a Lansky and like it too, but usually just free hand using stones. There's always some paper on my bench, and I'll shave some slivers of paper just to check it...keeps the hair on my arms;)
 

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I use the Buck's three-stone bench sharpening system, the portable two grit diamond sharpener and the round pocket diamond sharpener.

I also use Japanese water stones in 400, 800, 1200 and 5000 grits when I'm at the bench.

All of these work well. I'm not a sharpening nut so I don't think about it much. I avoid like the plague those clamps and gadgets and guides. I just go by feel and sharpness.

But then consider I'm a hand bookbinder with 25 years of leatherworking experience and sharpen all my leather tools by hand, So I've had a little experience.
 
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