How do you sharpen your Rodent Solution?

Brasso3

Brasso3

Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
293
I just received my first Swamp Rat knife. A Rodent Solution. What an awesome feeling grip on this thing. I'm really digging it. But, the convexed edge that came on it is really, really blunt. I'm seriously considering putting it to the Lansky. I don't have a strop. But before I do, I'm seeing what you guys do with yours?

Rob
 
Brasso3 said:
I just received my first Swamp Rat knife. A Rodent Solution. What an awesome feeling grip on this thing. I'm really digging it. But, the convexed edge that came on it is really, really blunt. I'm seriously considering putting it to the Lansky. I don't have a strop. But before I do, I'm seeing what you guys do with yours?
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I used a DMT Aligner with X-coarse (black) hone to grind down the shoulders to ~15 dps, polished it with coarse & fine hones, then stropped on mousepad+sandpaper @ 800 grit. :thumbup:
 
If I'm lazy: Diamond rod, one of two I have, one fine and one coarse.

If I'm feeling old school: Arkansas stone and oil.

New school: I have a couple of grades of ceramic bench stones.
 
leatherman said:
If I'm lazy: Diamond rod, one of two I have, one fine and one coarse.

If I'm feeling old school: Arkansas stone and oil.

New school: I have a couple of grades of ceramic bench stones.
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What Dwayne said!!!:thumbup: Old school here all the way. All of my small blades are hand done and then stropped...
 
Work sharp knife and tool sharpener and diamond paste strop. Razor sharp and easy.
 
Dang. I've been at it for two days now. About wore out my X course diamond stone and still haven't managed to hit the bevel all the way across. The tip end is so fat. It will be nice if/when I ever manage to get it.
 
X's 2 on the work sharp! It'll knock the shoulders off quick. Makes the RS a much better slicer!
 
It has a convex edge on it. All you need in sandpaper and a phonebook, egg carton, or a mouse pad. I use a 1/8" thick mousepad and a few pieces of sand paper. I start convexing with 150 grit emory cloth, then 400 wet/dry, 600 w/d, then finish off on 1500 w/d. I strop it on a old leather belt and finish it off on a piece of the same belt cured with the green compound. Thanks Richard J for that! haha but If it's blunt, bring it back down to 400 grit and take your time. Quick back and forth motions work for me. Try and keep a constant angle. You can be a bit sloppy with convex edges but go to too high and make a butter knife. It's best to keep it around a 20* angle and do about 45 seconds of quick back and forth strokes on one side, and do it on the other side. As I said, this works for me. Another method might work for you. You are the sharpener, not the equipment.
 
I used sharpening belts on my 1 x 30" sander to thin out the convex and now its scary sharp :D
 
Still going at it. Diamond stone is now toast. I'm going to need a new one to finish this. I hope all the Swamp Rats aren't this blunt.
 
A week later, and I finally got to the bevel at the tip. Whew! The edge could still use some polishing, but at this point I'm just relieved that it finally has an edge. I'll polish it up later. And of course the obligatory photo, cause we all like pictures. A Smashed Cat sheath in coyote tan is inbound.

Swamp Rat Rodent Solution. Tan Micarta grips and Tanker Gray coat.
rodentsolution.jpg


For reference, this is just a 40 degree inclusive bevel. That's a thick blade.
 
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Nice!! I love the look of a nice fat edge line, maybe its just me but it looks so nice. :)
 
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