How to sharpen Johns Knives

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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Can you guys post up how to sharpen johns knives? Maybe some pictures and an explanation. And what is a convex edge? Advantages? Disadvantages? Oh, BTW, i have a spyderco sharpmaker.
 
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Hi there.

It depends on the type of grind your knife has right now. Is it convex or v-grind? If it's v-ground, you could definitely use your sharpmaker. A convex edge has a gradual curvature towards the point, rather than a straight edge. This is intended to provide additional edge strength and cutting power. Due to the subtle curvature, convex edges are best sharpened - in my opinion - with a leather strop and some honing compound. Any nicks or dings can be touched up with a sharpening stone, and a strop can be used to return the blade to a mirror-polished edge.

In terms of my personal preferences, I like to use Japanese water stones for my sharpening. They take some practice (you have to know how to move the blade, retain the correct angle, and how to develop a good slurry), but they are rewarding. Once I have applied a sharp and even edge with the stones, I switch to the strop to finish off.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Oh, i haven't received it yet, it's for christmas. He doesn't do all his knives with a convex? The easier for me to sharpen the better :-)
 
Here is a link to Bark River's sharpening video.
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/pages/Sharpening-Videos
When your knife is sharp, touching it up with 2000 grit sandpaper is easy and kind of fun.
If you let it go dull, it takes some work. Touch it up after using it and you should never need much more.
 
Good advice if the edge bevel was convex but its not so normal methods of convex sharpening do not apply.
 
I convexed mine so it looks like this....

P4270018.jpg


P4250002.jpg
 
knifenut1013 said:
so normal methods of convex sharpening do not apply.
Click to expand...

Umm..I just use the sandpaper foam pad method on three of Johns knives and it works just fine. I am able to maintain a hair splitting edge with just 1000 grit.

On my Hiker I like a less refined edge, slightly toothy. I simply freehand it on a stone like I do with my flat ground carbon knives. Every once in a great while I treat it to a stropping.
 
Todd A said:
Umm..I just use the sandpaper foam pad method on three of Johns knives and it works just fine. I am able to maintain a hair splitting edge with just 1000 grit.

On my Hiker I like a less refined edge, slightly toothy. I simply freehand it on a stone like I do with my flat ground carbon knives. Every once in a great while I treat it to a stropping.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying that it won't work its just they don't come with a convex edge to begin with so to get one you must apply it. I had both of mine convexed but for some reason the edge seems to hold better when I use my diamond stones and a V edge :confused:
 
knifenut1013 said:
I'm not saying that it won't work its just they don't come with a convex edge to begin with so to get one you must apply it. I had both of mine convexed but for some reason the edge seems to hold better when I use my diamond stones and a V edge :confused:
Click to expand...

So what are you saying? I can use the sharpmaker or do i have to use a different method?
 
You can do anything you want, that's the best part about knowing how to sharpen. If its a chopper convex edges are nice beyond that its personal preference.
 
the sharpmaker will work as the knife comes from John (does John do any convex?), if you decide to convex the edge you'll have to go to another method
 
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