How to sharpen

J

jjpryor

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Jul 28, 2008
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17
Guys, a little help here. The guy who sharpens my knives is deploying. What do I do now? I don't know where to begin. I figure on spending around $200(US) for a foolproof set-up. Any recommendations?
 
Get a cheapo 1x42" or 1x30" grinder.

See Jerry Hossom's Sharpening My Way.

I've bought and used just about every sharpening system out there (mouse pads, Tormek, water stones, Arkansas stones, diamond stones, EdgePro, Lansky,...) and this is the method I find fastest and most enjoyable for a given level of sharpness.
 
STAY AWAY FROM GRINDER!

This is bad advice! Until you skilled knifemaker, do not even try. And for regular belts "given sharpness" would be
acceptable only for showels. To have something knife like you will need special belts like 15microns or 30 microns.

Use Sharpmaker or my way...

http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=5TscN9h-1xQ
...
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=EP9tII6Tp7s

Thanks, Vassili.

You may also try paper wheels as well.

Actuall you can perfectly fit in $200 - DMT D8XX - Extra Extra Coarse about $80 and you may find DMT D8C - Coarse and D8E - Extra Fine for like $50 (depends on size) and Green Rouge is like $7...
 
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Really, Vassili? What's the hard part about it?

It sure is a lot easier to maintain a constant angle against a moving belt than it is to move a knife lengthwise along a stone and do the same.

I have 9 micron belts, and then use a leather belt with buffing compound.

And the "given sharpness" was with respect to time, not grit.
 
jjpryor, gabe is right. i am a knifemaker and i use a belt sander that runs slowly to work up a burr. i also use the paper wheels which do a good job in both working up a burr and removing the burr and polishing the edge. here is a video of a knife i made slicing newspaper http://www.myculpeper.com/richardj/MLNA0018.AVI. for more information on the wheels you can contact me. i have a link at my website with information on the wheels and you can even get them at a discounted price. there are also cheaper wheels that i happen to have a set of which i dont like very well.
 
Gabe Newell said:
Really, Vassili? What's the hard part about it?

It sure is a lot easier to maintain a constant angle against a moving belt than it is to move a knife lengthwise along a stone and do the same.

I have 9 micron belts, and then use a leather belt with buffing compound.

And the "given sharpness" was with respect to time, not grit.
Click to expand...

It is not hard, but require skill and may ruin blade very easy. This is not about angle, but about pressure and movement speed - knifemaker can do it with one swipe? doing 10 knives in a minute, but it require quite a practice. You can not expect it granted to anybody right away! So until you develop right grip to hold blade right most likely end up with ladder on the edge, it will be grinded half way to the spine etc...

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I love my belt grinder! Absolutely the best, fastest way to sharpen knives. You do need a range of belts, and the leather honing belts are a great finishing tool.

Unless the country collapses and we no longer have electricity, I doubt I will ever go back to the various hand-held sharpening systems.

I did hand-held in all its variations (mostly just free) for 40+ years, and the belt grinder, per Jerry Hossum, beats 'em all! :thumbup:
 
Um, sharpening isn't really that hard. You take metal off the side(s) until they meet, basically, using a material that is harder than your blade. It helps to keep a consistent angle. I mostly use DMT diamond hones but I've got a bunch of others around: good old carborundum for removing a lot of material, an ancient black Arkansas, various ceramic hones for chisels and gouges. They all work. There are plenty of good books around on sharpening (your library may help here) and also internet sources. Lee Valley Tools has a superb book on sharpening. Once you've got the basics down, you can Amaze Your Friends with your new-found honing abilities. (Be sure to keep plenty of Band Aids on hand.:D)
 
I sharpen like Vassily only without the ramp. If it has a decent edge,you'll be shaving in about five minutes. It takes about a half hour to make a butter knife shaving sharp. Use your thumb to gauge the angle and maintain constant pressure through the stroke. I have a belt sander too, but unless you're making a knife or reshaping the blade, it's not necessary.
 
jjpryor said:
Guys, a little help here. The guy who sharpens my knives is deploying. What do I do now? I don't know where to begin. I figure on spending around $200(US) for a foolproof set-up. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Boy I wish I had $200 to blow.
Buy 3 benchstones (C,M,F), a SMOOTH steel, & a 1x3 SF eze-lap pocket stone (or a hard Arkansas). Pick up a 1x1x6 of walnut.
Lay your knife on the walnut raise the spine of the wood = the thickness of the blade, or at most 50% more. Thats your angle there.
From the back of the blade to the tip PUSH (don't do figure 8's till you can maintain a consistent angle in the dark). This'll do 2 things, 1 it'll be practice w/out ruining a good blade, & 2 it'll semi polish the blade.
I think if you learn freehand you'll be better off than w/ gizmos, but if you want gizmos get some crock-sticks.
 
take it from this fool, theres no fool proof way to sharpen a knife. i would start with a dmt " blue", and end with a sharpmaker.
 
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