How I sharpen...

[Boattale]

We'll start with the premise that I don't abuse knives in any way. And continue with the fact that all knives here are used. And finish with the knowledge that I cannot abide any knife that's not really sharp. Including my spyderco knives. I have K390 Endura and Endela, Magnacut PMLW Salt and a SPY 27 Dragonfly. I freehand sharpen - some would call it touch up - with my 8x3 1000 grit diamond plate. I'm pretty good with it and can equal factory edge with it. When I want a less toothy edge - like on the Dragonfly - I finish with a 2x8 black hard Arkansas stone. It will polish the blade like a razor. I use both stones dry but clean them often. I'm sure others have their methods that work as good or better as mine. I'd like to hear how others do this. It's a thing I do in front of the TV in the evening. Very relaxing.

 

[Spydermade86]

I wish I could freehand haha! I use a KME and sharpmaker never had the nerve to try freehand but will have to sometime!

 

[91bravo]

I use a progression of DMT stones to freehand sharpen my knives. 220, 325, 600, 1200, and 8000 grits.

 

[Ikhnaton]

I have a DMT DuoSharp with the coarse and fine side, also a leather strop and a Worksharp Field Sharpener. Mostly I use only the coarse side of the DMT and finish on leather, because the edges I get with this are very sharp and last a long time. Same as you Boattale, I can't stand using a knife that's not a least cutting paper, better if it shaves arm hair.

 

[stillshot2]

Cutting thin receipt paper or newspaper is my minimum standard, sometimes paper towel slicing sharp depending on my mood. I don't shave with my pocket knives so it's ok if they won't but sometimes they just can anyways.

 

[Boattale]

Cutting thin receipt paper or newspaper is my minimum standard, sometimes paper towel slicing sharp depending on my mood. I don't shave with my pocket knives so it's ok if they won't but sometimes they just can anyways.

I'm still working my way up the sharpness ladder, heading towards whittling feather sticks from wet toilet paper.

 

[rhino]

Cutting thin receipt paper or newspaper is my minimum standard, sometimes paper towel slicing sharp depending on my mood. I don't shave with my pocket knives so it's ok if they won't but sometimes they just can anyways.

I like to be able to cut the thin, glossy receipt paper (that comes out of a thermal printer) unsupported so that it doesn't make any noise and I can't feel much resistance. That's well beyond popping arm hairs in most cases. I've achieved hair whittling on occasion, but it takes too much work, has no practical benefit, and often leaves the apex too clean and polished to slice fibrous materials well.