How to sharpen an edge

[crux12]

Thought that I knew a thing about sharpening a blade (knife or axe). Up to now I have been using a file(damaged by years of abuse) sharpening stick of unknown origin and finished off the edge with simichrome polish on cardboard. My blades are normally fairly sharp, but unable to slice news paper now after a bit of usage. They are far from their factory edge. How does a novice start to sharpen their tools as I do not wish to get an all in one V cut machine and learn how to do it right freehand.

Please help with some advice.

 

[trimcut123]

Apple Sauce............

 

[richard j]

i use a set of cardboard wheels to sharpen my knives with. it takes some practice to get the hang of using them. the wheels are similar to using a grinding wheel but not as aggressive. i have 3 short video's showing how fast you can work up a burr with these wheels. since the process of removing the burr and polishing the edge with the buffing wheel is similar i only made a video of the first step. a member on the forum sells the wheels to members here at a discount. here is his email address. steve@bottorff.com here is a link to the manufacturer's site of the wheels. you can find out about the wheels here. http://www.sharpeningwheels.com/

 

[PerHansa]

I use a whetstone to rough sharpen, and three homemade leather strops to finish the blade. The strops are just 1 1/2" leather strips glued to a wood backing and soaked with valve lapping compound (available at any auto parts store). One strop is medium grit, one fine, and one plain leather; this produces an exceptional edge on a carbon steel blade, and doesn't take as long as you might think. My father has used this technique for years on his wood carving tools - and trust me, they're sharp!