How should this work?

S

seanuhthin

Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
362
I finally got some time to go out and put my RC-4 through some "work", and now I am trying to sharpen the wear out of the edge. The only problem is that at 40 degrees on the sharp maker with the brown colored stones on the flat side, I don't seem to be making much progress. I must have passed that knife fifty times. Am I missing something? Thanks you guys. Also, I am wondering what i need to clean these sharpening rods, they are getting slightly dirty. :)
 
This was my biggest complaint about the Sharpmaker, it's a slow process.

As for cleaning your stones, I always rubbed them together a bit and that got the majority of the grit exposed and made them work well again.
 
Oh okay, hah I thought it was just me. I quite obviously need to look into learning how to hand sharpen. For folders like my tenacious though the Sharpmaker is a blessing. A quick touch up and its back to splitting atoms :)
 
I use Comet or a similar powdered cleaner. Just put some on a green scrubby, add a little water and scrub. Then rinse. Gets them very clean. As for taking out major edge damage, you are in for a long haul if you do it on the Sharpmaker. Get a coarse stone, sharpen the dings out and finish up with the SM.
 
Which stones should I be using for what though? I really don't know what each stone is intended for, I only know how to generally sharpen as they show in the video that comes with. I want to learn what is good for really getting out damage and what is for just touching up and what side and such...
Also, can soap and water clean the stones good, just general soapy water?
 
The brown stones are for putting the initial edge. Use the corners of the stones first and progress to the flats. The white stones are for finishing. Again, use the corners and progress to the flats for a final finish. All of this is dependent on the knife having a decent edge to begin with. You will not be able to remove major edge damage with the brown or white stones, unless you have a couple days to kill:D You can get diamond stones for the sharpmaker that are more aggressive and remove more material. Or you can just get a coarse stone and remove the edge damage before proceeding to the SM. I mention the powdered cleaner as it is slightly abrasive and just about everyone has some in their house. It will remove the small particles of metal that are adhered to the stones. I suppose just soap and water would do it. Use a green scrubby pad or an old toothbrush. What version of the video do you have?? I'm pretty sure that this stuff is mentioned. At least my copy does:confused:
 
I've noticed anytime your making inital contact to the coating on rats, it takes a long time to work through that with the sharpmaker. Considering the diamond stones.
 
Unless the edge is damaged or really dull, I'd give stropping a try.
 
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