I've finally learned how to sharpen!!

E

emt1581

Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
916
For the longest time I was seriously frustrated with the fact that I could not get a good edge on any of my blades...including my Busse's. However tonight all that changed.

I was watching Wrong-Turn and then the Last Samurai. The mood struck me. So I broke out the Sharpmaker and gave it another shot. I started with my CS SRK. When that worked I tried my Team Gemini....SUCCESS!!! I was shaving my arm and slicing through paper in no time!! I just finished sharpening my Boss Jack.

And for the grand finale I'm in the middle of putting an edge on my Regulator. This knife is one I bought a few years back when SY was giving discounts on that model to EMS personnel. It was my first Busse-kin blade so I just kept it as a safe queen. However, after I get this thing razor sharp I'm thinking it'll actually make for a nice user.

Still can't bring myself to use my CGBJ even thought it's super sharp.

The LBTG with it's competition finish will definitely get worked over real well!!

Anyway, just figured I'd share! :D

-Emt1581
 
Awesome!
I have been good at sharpening sense my teens but at times I still can not get an edge to come together. Two days ago I got out the 204 to sharpen my ZT0550 as it was past a touch up on a crock stick. It just wasn't the right day. I could tell with in 5 min that I may as well give up. I tried again last night with no trouble at all. I really think it has a lot to do with what mind set you are in.
 
I used the work sharp on my KDH and when I swung through the air it made everything plead for mercy.
 
As someone who has used a Sharpmaker with great success for a long time, in my opinion it is rather difficult to sharpen a Busse on a Sharpmaker or any other knife that has a convex edge. Depending a great deal on the thickness of the blade you will continuously be taking metal off the curve and will not take any off the edge itself. Years past I took off the convex edge so this was no longer an issue. Lately I have been doing a lot more experimenting with stropping. Often times sharpening is not needed like I used to think it was. I use black then green stropping compound instead and remove very little metal.

If a knife just seems to not want to get sharp I "paint" the edge with a Sharpie to sse if ehatever abrasive I am using is actually getting the edge or not. Wish I would have known that cheap trick when I was a kid.
 
messer454 said:
As someone who has used a Sharpmaker with great success for a long time, in my opinion it is rather difficult to sharpen a Busse on a Sharpmaker or any other knife that has a convex edge. Depending a great deal on the thickness of the blade you will continuously be taking metal off the curve and will not take any off the edge itself. Years past I took off the convex edge so this was no longer an issue. Lately I have been doing a lot more experimenting with stropping. Often times sharpening is not needed like I used to think it was. I use black then green stropping compound instead and remove very little metal.

If a knife just seems to not want to get sharp I "paint" the edge with a Sharpie to sse if ehatever abrasive I am using is actually getting the edge or not. Wish I would have known that cheap trick when I was a kid.
Click to expand...

Bingo!
I hardly ever have to fully sharpen a knife. A strop or white crock stick will work to bring an edge back most of the time. I have a Worksharp and use it mostly for finishing kydex sheaths. It does do a great job on convex edges but you have to be very careful not to take off your tip,I find it easier using it freehand. It is what I used to bring out the edge on my R9 by using a very worn fine belt so as not to remove steel. Worked more like a power strop.
 
I agree with the stropping & touching up with crock or ceramic sticks as well.
As far as actually sharpening a convex edge you can use the mousepad/sandpaper technique which is cheap,effective and won't harm your convex angles on blades.:thumbup:
 
I recently got great results from the mousepad and sandpaper method. But instead of a mousepad I used a nice piece of leather.
Works way better for me. It has been a lot of trial and error though, It's not as easy as it looks.
It's really satisfying when you can cut newspaper in a waving motion:)

I start off with 400 grit and work my way up to 1500 (2500 if I'm really bored). Then finish with a strop with some Flitz.
I find sharpening eases my mind and I can really lose track of time.
 
Another +1 for stropping. After I put my edge on my knives I find I never have to sharpen them again unless I go out and do some heavy chopping or something of the sort. I like to strop on green compound and plain leather, always keeps my edges hair shaving sharp.
 
Congrats on the good results. Like anything, practice makes perfect. It really is worth getting a strop as mentioned above.

Garth
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top