Knife Sharpeners

Carl_First_Timer

Carl_First_Timer

Joined
Dec 6, 2010
Messages
1,154
What knife sharpening system would you guys recommend for someone just starting out? I am not sure I'm ready to plunk down for a wicked edge, or apex pro. I would not mind spending extra time getting the edges sharp if it means saving hundreds of dollars.

Is there a decent starter kit that will give a high quality edge?

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
 
i use galco delux diamond kit, gets things razor sharp,,,,but i've been hearing too many good things about the sharpmaker to ignore. might purchase that soon
 
I would avoid any type/kind of "kit" for the simple reason is "for the most part you Can't.!!! Take it with you" Most of those things have to be "set up" right angle rods for different blades" "hard to do big blades with" "need a flat surface" and about 15-20 others I could think of. I started sharpening blades at the age of 6 years old. (No Joke) My Father worked for Norton abrasives when I was very young. (He has been gone for many years now) But my Grandfather was a "I can build/make what you need" and did many times. (even blades for a logging camp in upper Canada in 1907-1911 made from the saw blades and deer antlers that were abundant) I watched him use a stone to put a shaving sharp edge in just 20-30 seconds. I was hooked.!!! I got a gift from my Dad (A Norton stone) at the age of 6, and started to sharpen ALL the blades in the house. Sure I have tryed most All of the Gagets (sp. my choise of wording) and put them in the trash. I have used this same Norton for over 40 years, and you can't tell the difference from a 2 year old one. (seems they get better with age) But if you learn to use a good stone, (I think any blade owner should know how to do this, its been history for 1000s of years) And start to pratice on old blades, or ask a good Man/Woman how they do it (2-3 min lesson) And you will be able to take it anywhere.!! any angle, any blade steel, any length, and with a small bit of learning you're in the biz. I like the Norton India combination stones, so you can use it to get a butter knife sharp if you felt like it. They are cheap, last a lifetime, and will put a hair popper edge on Any blade you have. I've been doing it for over 40 years, and on 1000s of blades, and every person (I'm a knife maker myself) I had done their edge, was more than pleased. (I'm still asked by hunters and chefs every year to put an edge on their blades to this day) So I would say, learn a simple way to put a *good* easy to do edge on with a stone, and then you are set for life. No need for any attachments or spend big $$s. And once you get the hang of it, you will be Very self satisifed with your work. Well thats my opinion, and I know its millions of others as well. We need to keep our basic skills, and not Gagets, as I see it. Plus its kinda fun. Enjoy and Happy Hollidays. edgy :thumbup:
 
DMT diamond stones, I get mine from Howard (he's on BladeForums but I don't remember his handle) are what I use

http://www.theperfectedge.com/diamond.shtml

the Lansky diamond kits are easy and will work great for anyone who doesn't want to take the time to learn how to sharpen on a flat stone.

-Page
 
When I finish a knife I use my cheap belt grinder to bring the edge near sharp, because I tent to leave my pre HT edges too thick(pass-dip, being careful not to over heat the steel) then I go to a set of cheap diamond hones I picked up for $10. Once I have and edge that will slice paper I switch over to my Norton water stones, 1k-4k-8k, and finish up on a strop with green compound on it. When I am finished the knife will slide through paper and treetop hairs on my arm.

I use to use kits like the lansky, but I was never happy with it, going freehand just feels right to me
 
Gents, thanks for all your advice.

I ended up going out and getting some Arkansas oil stones. If I'm gonna learn this stuff I might as well learn all I can.

I'll look into a 4000-8000 stone as well. :thumbup:
 
They all take some practice for sure.

Check out youtube for 'knife sharpening' tons of videos of all types of sharpening equipment and some really excellent 'water stone sharpening' vids there too.

Start with crappy knives, old kitchen knives are handy for that.

I destroyed knives with a crappy, too coarse $5 Home Depot stone and not having a clue how to really sharpen (mostly waaaay too much pressure)

I hated my Lansky system...wobbles all over the place trying to hold it with my weak hand and work the stone with the other. Guide rods wobbled...just hated it.

EdgePro Apex, expensive for sure...but I finally got a clue going with that and got the sharpest edges I've ever been able to get.

Just ordered a bunch of stones for freehand too as I find large blades on the EdgePro to be annoying and that I was doing better freehand using the EP stones on big blades than using the guide.

So go slow, start with cheap knives and watch some vids. It all starts to come together a few dozen edges in. When your edges start getting scary, you're starting to get useful ;-).

Oh yeah, totally get a strop. I'd never owned one before and they are fantastic. A strop and some green compound will do you well.
 
I have been using a combo 800/4000 grit japanese stone I got from Rockler for about 25 bucks. It works very well and fairly fast.
 
Carl_First_Timer said:
Trying to find one, can you point me in the right direction? :D
Click to expand...

I own one that is the Woodcraft brand, it woiks, but it's thin leather and one-sided. I impulse bought it from Amazon just to try using a strop.

I have one from here in the mail now, so no real testimony yet, but they look a lot more solid and after doing some poking around, leather is hard to find locally and pricey so I just ordered one.

http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Strops-C11.aspx

A late comment on this as I got it in and loaded it up, I got the XL double sided paddle.

Leather is a bit nicer than the Woodcraft model, though not a world of difference. I do however very much like the larger surface area and the smooth leather on the opposite side for the last touch. I'm happy with it.

I'm also very happy with my set of stones I just got in. Will take yet more practice, but I've already put on some pretty mean edges on the first few knives I played with on them. Took an 8" cheapie kitchen knife to about the sharpest edge I've done yet on a big blade. Was a lot easier to freehand on big stones than trying to steady a big blade on the EP Apex (which is just because I haven't practiced well with larger blades on it).

Sharpening to me is as much of a hobby as collecting the knives and I'm having a blast making progress and learning the 'art' of it. Just when I think I 'got it', I jump another step.
 
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Used waterstones for the first time and love them! I got the norton 220/1000 combo and the results were great for me. I sharpened a bunch to try them out I think I like them a little better than the oil type, will be getting the 4000/8000 soon from USA Knife Supply. I also have and used the lanski and liked it but I like the ability to free hand the angles on the stones. I also got the 10" paper wheel set and will experimenting with it too. Regardless of the methods they all require a little practice and have a learning curve to them. Just my 2cents
 
The 4000/8000 is totally worth it.

My setup goes DMT xcoarse/coarse to Norton 1000, to a 4000/8000 stone, then I go to the strop. I'm pondering one more super fine stone even for the pretty edges.

I like water stones better for the main point that I can just plunk them down anywhere in the house and have easy cleanup without getting oil on things.
 
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