How to sharpen without rounding the tip?

[vcincent]

hey guys,
Lately I've gotten more into freehanding and I can do a decent job getting most of the blade sharp. For some reason I can never get the point of the knife on my spear/drop points quite right. I remember someone suggesting to lift the blade up a little, but I think I might be digging the tip into the stone. The problem remains whether I'm sharpening with a honing guide or by hand. Any quick advice?

 

[Roger999]

Don't use stuff like a sharpmaker and lansky crock sticks because you will roll the edge when the tip goes off the rod. With stones, don't let the tip slide off the stone aswell, if the tip is already rounded, you will have to remove alot of metal before the tip will get pointy again, I prefer to use a belt grinder to fix rounded tips but a stone would work, it just takes a lil patience.

 

[Jason B.]

When you get to the tip stop and lift, this will prevent rounding and leave you with a pointy tip. When you are pushing the edge down the stone you do not want to follow the curve but instead lift the handle of the knife, this will properly follow the curve.

 

[knarfeng]

Don't use stuff like a sharpmaker and lansky crock sticks because you will roll the edge when the tip goes off the rod. With stones, don't let the tip slide off the stone aswell, if the tip is already rounded, you will have to remove alot of metal before the tip will get pointy again, I prefer to use a belt grinder to fix rounded tips but a stone would work, it just takes a lil patience.

You can use the Sharpmaker and maintain sharp tips if you do not sharpen all the way to the end when using the corners of the rods. Stop just shy of the tip. You can sharpen all the way out to the end using the flats of the rods.

 

[SPXTrader]

hey guys,
Lately I've gotten more into freehanding and I can do a decent job getting most of the blade sharp. For some reason I can never get the point of the knife on my spear/drop points quite right. I remember someone suggesting to lift the blade up a little, but I think I might be digging the tip into the stone. The problem remains whether I'm sharpening with a honing guide or by hand. Any quick advice?

You are correct about lifting the handle up at the end of a stroke when using flat stones. If you're digging the tip into the stone, you're using too much pressure. Let the stone do the work; don't force it.

The Sharpmaker will keep the tip sharp if you follow these same suggestions, and stop your stroke with the tip still on the flat.

Most time desired results aren't achieved is because the user is applying too much downward force on the edge. Take your time and the stone will work as its supposed to.

 

[popcornpicker]

If you push your knife across the stone keeping the angle and pivot your wrist, it will sharpen the entire length of the knife.

 

[Dog of War]

Most time desired results aren't achieved is because the user is applying too much downward force on the edge. Take your time and the stone will work as its supposed to.

Agree. Excessive force/pressure is the enemy of a good sharpening job and a high quality edge. Through the whole sharpening process, the pressure used should get lighter and lighter as you approach completion ... this not only prevents rounding the tip, but reduces or eliminates many problems with burrs/wire edges and generally assures that you're not weaking the steel.