Knife Sharpener

[NathanJ]

Not an expert, but I've found the worksharp to be the easiest, fastest most consistent tool for sharpening edges. Plus, I like 'em convex.

+1 :thumbup:

Still learning how to strop though, I am practising on some cheapie blades.

 

[upnorth]

I do find a Lansky indispensable for initial sharpening or walking a shoulder back to a known angle (thin is in).

Yup. I use the large Lansky system (properly) to change edge angles or simply sharpen. I also use the Spyderco Sharpmaker which is much faster when I have a desired edge angle. I could use fancier terms but I really don't care. When my knives slice paper easily, I'm done.

 

[mac_heath]

I've used a bunch of different systems throughout the years, and only recently have I begun to understand how they're supposed to be used. My first sharpener I bought was a medium arkansas stone, to go with my Buck 110. I was never able to get it to sharpen the Buck properly, and it's soaking with oil. I like the Spyderco Sharpmaker, and recommend them to people who aren't comfortable with freehand. The Sharpmaker allows for some experimenting with freehand, while still offering a fairly easy 'guided' method.

I got into diamond stones because the medium ceramic stones are terrible for re-beveling. I also used way too much force for the ceramic stones. Then again, until recently I used way too much force with the diamond stones. My diamond stones are some off-brand set. I'm looking to replace them with a set of DMT double-sided ones. I have a small set of DMT 1" X 3" stones that I keep in my pack. They're awesome.

I've been using a strop for a while, and have recently branched out into using different compounds. So now there are three strops. A light touch seems to work much better. But for serious rework or re-beveling, I still use the diamond stones.

I do have a crappy 1X30 grinder that I use to start an edge on my hatchets and machetes. I'm very careful with it, and it's not good for precision work. Still, it does well when I need to pull back the primary grind. I absolutely recommend trying it with various knives that you don't mind trashing.

With all the systems, I'm coming to realize that a light touch is important. The stones all remove metal at their own optimal rate when I don't try to force the grinding. Forcing things least to poor grinds, mistakes, crappy convexing, and in one case, a BK14 with a noticeably smaller blade.

 

[keroscene]

I just got this the other day because I wanted something portable and I must say, I'm super impressed with it! Its very versitile and even has a leather strop. Anyone else try this out and have an experience or feedback about it?

 

[NathanJ]

I just got this the other day because I wanted something portable and I must say, I'm super impressed with it! Its very versitile and even has a leather strop. Anyone else try this out and have an experience or feedback about it?

That looks like a good little setup to take camping or hiking.

 

[22-rimfire]

The thing about sharpening knives is that you end up buying all kinds of different stones and systems eventually. I always fall back on free hand sharpening and just beginning to strop. It is something that I simply didn't care enough to get that sharp of an edge in the past, but like I said, I have tried a lot of different approaches. You will too if you're interested... even when you like a particular approach, you still try another.

It is hard to use some of the mechanical systems with guides with large blades. You have to just try and see if you like them. I honestly have been pretty impressed with the basic Norton India stone for Beckers (oil stone). It cost under $20.

 

[keroscene]

The thing about sharpening knives is that you end up buying all kinds of different stones and systems eventually. I always fall back on free hand sharpening and just beginning to strop. It is something that I simply didn't care enough to get that sharp of an edge in the past, but like I said, I have tried a lot of different approaches. You will too if you're interested... even when you like a particular approach, you still try another.

It is hard to use some of the mechanical systems with guides with large blades. You have to just try and see if you like them. I honestly have been pretty impressed with the basic Norton India stone for Beckers (oil stone). It cost under $20.

I can definitely relate. This is about the 5th or 6th sharpener that I have owned. That's not a lot compared to some people, but it has given me the chance to get a small sample of what's avail. I'm not good enough yet to use a freehand but plan to soon. This is pretty close though as it simply gives u a proper starting angle. However, based on your recommendation I will pickup a Norton as soon as I can. Thanks for the tip!

 

[lkylyndy]

I taught High School shop (a torture ground for sharp edges) for 33 years and bought a book on tool sharpening when I first set up my shop. The real kernel of wisdom I got from that book is to practice until you learn how. I used India stones (Norton etc.) in coarse and fine and my most challenging sharpen was always the curved gouges, even with a "slip" stone. When my stones got worn it was an inexpensive to replace them. I always kept a few blades and useable stones available for students that wanted to learn to sharpen tools and the tool bits for the metal lathe always needed to be de-burred after they ground them.

Now for my knives, I use a mired of sharpeners from highly portable to ones I hold in a vise in jigs that I made long ago. That said, I still find that for most sharpening, particularly in the field, it is the practice I did years ago that pays off. I always shoot for “useable” sharp, I have a beard and a razor and no intention of shaving with knife.

As in most things, practice and training play a primary role in success.

 

[GSO1962]

You are correct that "useable" sharp is probably what I should aim for. I got started down this road looking for the best knife to field process feral pigs. If I weren't obsessed about "razor" sharp knives, I'd have more hair on my arm after getting my Ritter RSK and ESEE Becker kitchen knives yesterday. Maybe I need a support group?