I enjoy sharpening my own knives. What about you?

I used to watch a lot of instructional videos for knife sharpening mostly because I found the process to be relaxing.

"Used to" because now I heavily use my knives as much as possible so I can sharpen them myself.
 
I love sharpening my knives and there are some knives I've bought just to sharpen over and over again. Sharpening is what brought me to this website. I use to search google for information or reviews on stones and it would always bring me here. Some could say I got obsessed but I'm doing better now haha.
 
katanas said:
Pomsbz, I hope you don't have the strop in your lap as your eyes are on the movie. :eek:
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My mind if full of clever replies, many of which involve the word 'eunuch' but perhaps it's better to keep my mouth shut. :D I'm usually watching stuff at my desk so there's a solid layer of wood between the knife being stropped and my lower body. :)
 
McFeeli said:
I enjoy sharpening my knives to an extent. Took me a bit to catch on to freehand and probably still could learn some new tricks, though it definitely makes you feel pretty damn proud when you put a great edge on one of your knives.
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That is where I'm at. I like a sharp knife. In fact, I insist on a knife being sharp. It doesn't have to be hair popping sharp for me to be comfortable. But I can do that if I want.
 
For me sharpening is at least half of the hobby. I am an edge junky. Not the fancy show off polished edges but rather just obsessed with my knives always being at optimal sharpness. I just enjoy the meditative process and that fact that no matter how long I have been at it that I still keep learning, keep getting better and keep adding new tricks to my repertoire.

This isn't meant to bash anybody, this is a diverse hobby and we are all in it for different things, but I have a hard time understanding how someone can be into knives as hobby and not be interested in sharpening too.
 
bearfacedkiller said:
For me sharpening is at least half of the hobby. I am an edge junky. Not the fancy show off polished edges but rather just obsessed with my knives always being at optimal sharpness. I just enjoy the meditative process and that fact that no matter how long I have been at it that I still keep learning, keep getting better and keep adding new tricks to my repertoire.

This isn't meant to bash anybody, this is a diverse hobby and we are all in it for different things, but I have a hard time understanding how someone can be into knives as hobby and not be interested in sharpening too.
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I'm no edge junky like my brother in law, but I do like a sharp knife. I always take a few knives with me when I visit; usually stuff he hadn't seen before. He likes customs and generally folders that lean toward the expensive side. He often will be stropping one of my knives that I have used. He generally won't mess with one that I haven't used yet.

I am interested in sharpening knives and have sharpened free handed for many years. It is just not something that I do for enjoyment, but I don't dislike sharpening a knife and putting a good edge on a knife makes me smile. Don't really care for things like a Sharpmaker or a Lansky. Knowing how to sharpen a knife goes with the hobby or interest. I touch up our kitchen knives every few weeks.
 
I think I've improved notably since my last comment here. As in, there are more successful attempts than unsuccessful ones. Thanks for the tips folks! And yes, the sense of satisfaction was profound. A Eureka! moment. I found myself bragging to my girlfriend and some restaurant co-workers. I didn't get much response one way or the other... but, I feel pretty good about it!

I found a cool link the has 55 "Expert's" top tips for sharpening. Some of which you guys already said here.

http://www.knifeplanet.net/55-experts-share-knife-sharpening-tips/
 
bigsurbob said:
I've watched so many youtubes, read so many threads, tried on so many of my knives, several methods... and I just don't have the feel yet. Sometimes I feel like I finally have it, and the next time I make a knife duller. Pretty disappointed since it's the crux of the whole dang issue here! I've sent production knives to dealers to have sharpened, usually for free-$5, or have it done for $2 a knife at the farmer's market.
I keep practicing. But I definitely need someone who knows what they're doing show me how I'm screwing up.
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I feel your pain! I keep practicing tho and Im getting better.
 
After much of experimenting, I finally found a way to produce an edge I like. With Edge Pro and silicon carbide/diamond stones, it is easy and fast, so I don’t mind sharpening my knives weekly. It is also rewarding when I get that kind of edge. But reprofiling is still painful, and I hate it, even though I got to do it.

I am currently experimenting using sandpaper instead of stones and hope that sharpening becomes even easier and more consistent.
 
bigsurbob said:
I think I've improved notably since my last comment here. As in, there are more successful attempts than unsuccessful ones. Thanks for the tips folks! And yes, the sense of satisfaction was profound. A Eureka! moment. I found myself bragging to my girlfriend and some restaurant co-workers. I didn't get much response one way or the other... but, I feel pretty good about it!

I found a cool link the has 55 "Expert's" top tips for sharpening. Some of which you guys already said here.

http://www.knifeplanet.net/55-experts-share-knife-sharpening-tips/
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My wife isn't a knife person either. Sometimes I will attempt to show off my sharpening skills to her by slicing through paper and I can tell that she couldn't care any less. But, when she wants her kitchen knives sharpened, guess who she comes to. Anyway, congratulations on your improved sharpening skills, keep up the good work.
 
TheEdge01 said:
My wife isn't a knife person either. Sometimes I will attempt to show off my sharpening skills to her by slicing through paper and I can tell that she couldn't care any less. But, when she wants her kitchen knives sharpened, guess who she comes to. Anyway, congratulations on your improved sharpening skills, keep up the good work.
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I remember one day I sharpened my mom's knives for her to improve their performance. They were terrible to start, had dings in the edges, and could be dragged across my arm without breaking skin. The geometry of the kitchen knife is what kept it "cutting."

I got my worksharp and gave them a mirror convex edge, dings all removed. Cut clean through paper without snagging or much noise. She was like "meh, whatever."

I do enjoy sharpening knives though, but I like experimenting with different methods with powered sharpeners. My freehand skills are pitiful. My latest escapade is to try to get a black zirconia knife sharp as a razor. Completely impractical, but my curiousity knows no logic.
 
Part of the fun of this hobby - for me - is making a dull knife sharp or a sharp knife sharper.

For beginners, an inexpensive guided system like Lansky is the way to go. It does not require much skills. All you need is a sharpie to set the initial correct angle and then your patience. I can sharpen any of my folders to hair splitting sharpness with it (and I am sure anyone can achieve that). I am sure better guided systems like WE or Edge Pro will get the job done even more nicely.

For larger knives like those in the kitchen, I free hand them on a sharpening stone of at least 8" long.

Finally, stroping with green compound or the 3-tube DMT diamond paste can easily give you mirror polished edges.
 
I freehand, it's nice to learn how each steel is different. Finally tackled zdp-189 today, and I thought 20cv was unforgiving. My favorite has to be M4.
 
P2P said:
I freehand, it's nice to learn how each steel is different. Finally tackled zdp-189 today, and I thought 20cv was unforgiving. My favorite has to be M4.
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You consider 20CV to be tough to sharpen? M390 is a breeze. It may be my favorite steel to sharpen(more so than carbon steels), which is why I'm asking. I thought they were supposed to be damn near identical.

I've heard the horror stories of ZDP, though haha. Haven't tried that out yet.
 
I enjoy sharpening very much. There is something in converting a "dull" object into a sharp one.
Free hand on benchstones is way to go - very enjoyable and relaxing.
 
I also love sharpening knives. Its a great and very practical skill to have. I started out doing it free hand, but I find it less enjoyable when a co-worker gives me 18 abused kitchen knives to sharpen up for their wife! For that I would go to my Lanskey, but I have since upgraded to the Hapstone V6 and I really like that! Just need to keep adding different stones now.

I won't ever stop doing free hand though. I too find it to be relaxing.

I think that Ed Fowler said it best...He put it very simplistically " All you need to sharpen a knife is a stone, something to sharpen and the desire to do it."

Those words are what got me started. Desire is the key! And then...practice, practice, practice!
 
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TheEdge01 said:
Hey guys, I used to absolutely stink at sharpening knives, and didn't even know it. I was actually pleased with an edge that could pop a couple arm hairs off. Since I have been a member here, and learned a thing or two about sharpening from the pros, I can now put an edge on a knife that can shave my arms bald if I chose to do so. Sometimes, I even take knives out that I already sharpened just to sharpen them even more. I used to be pleased with the factory edge on new knives. Now I get anxious to touch the edge up to see how much sharper I can get it.
Am I the only one that does this? Do you enjoy sharpening your own knives, or do you take it to a pro, or send it in to the manufacturer?
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Hi I am another one who likes sharpening knives. If it is a user I will mirror polish it for fun and If it is for hard use I won't go through all the grits so I can leave a toothier edge, I will still make it somewhat shiny. I use the KME with diamonds but I'm thinking about getting a Tormek and doing other people's knives. As The Apostle P says "keep it sharp" he does beautiful work. If you haven't heard of him he is on YouTube. I would say that he is one of the top 5 reviewers on YouTube Have Fun
 
I was employed as a butcher for nine months last year. My boss was an avid knife collector and user. We used to have knife sharpening 'contests'

Most of my coworkers were younger (than me) guys who couldnt give a rat's rear how sharp their knives were as long as they could cut to some degree.

I was put on sharpening duty often, and the kids would bring in their personal blades to have me put edges on them. Now, I'm no Razor Edge Knives, but I've been using a sharpmaker to good effect for several years.

I find sharpening very therapeutic. It gives you a quite moment to think, and seeing the results of your skill gives you a nice feeling.
 
I really want to but I don't have any throw aways to practice on and I am not sure if I should go ahead and invest in a guided system or try freehand first.
 
McFeeli said:
You consider 20CV to be tough to sharpen? M390 is a breeze. It may be my favorite steel to sharpen(more so than carbon steels), which is why I'm asking. I thought they were supposed to be damn near identical.

I've heard the horror stories of ZDP, though haha. Haven't tried that out yet.
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The 20cv was on a 940, I think the main issue was the thick blade stock.

I got so used to M4, that everything seemed to cause me trouble for a bit. Hell, I about threw a knife in D2 in the trash a couple months ago I was so heated. I'm back on my "A"game though.

Zdp seemed to want insanely light pressure, a very small burr formation will save you as well.
 
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