Knife sharpening set-up

white_feather · Oct 13, 2008

I am coming in to a sum of money. I want to get some things that I have wanted for a while now. One of the things I have wanted is a very good knife sharpening outfit that will last me a long time and that I can pass on to my son. What do you guys recommend? Stones, Diamond,strops? I will mostly be sharpening a few buck knives both folders and fixed. I will also be using it for axes, kitchen knives and the such. Thanks in advance for advise.

StretchNM · Oct 13, 2008

In addition to maybe coarse and extra coarse diamond stones (DMT 8x3 or larger), I would certainly invest in a Spyderco Sharpmaker.

jacktrades_nbk · Oct 13, 2008

with care, the sharpmaker should last

Jason B. · Oct 13, 2008

Go DMT and don't look back

gull wing · Oct 13, 2008

I like to keep things simple and EASY(attention on easy).
1. Edge Pro to re-profile.(Makes a hard job fast and easy, not cheep but worth every penny)
You will not have to reprofile often.

2. Sharpmaker - to keep up edge.

I don't use bench stones because I don't have the patience.

So-Lo · Oct 13, 2008

I have tried a ton of systems, and I like the EdgePro Apex (with all the stones and both tapes) the best. Its a beast for reprofiling!

For up keep I like to swipe my EDC of the day on a Spyderco 306 UF bench stone. This will put a hair whittling edge on with about 2 mins worth of work.... Why carry a dull blade?

And, for recurves and my full SE knives I have the Spyderco profile set. The SharpMaker has not been used at all after using the profile set!

I also have a DMT course for flattening the EdgePro stones. (might try a xcourse or a xxcourse for faster flattening)

This works for my uses, but I like a polished edge. As, it has been my experience that a polished edge will cut better than a course edge.... and it will last a lot longer.

Ben Dover · Oct 13, 2008

Edge-Pro

A little costly, but:

THE VERY BEST Is ALWAYS COSTLY

Mike Fitz · Oct 13, 2008

If money is no object and you want something to pass along through the generations that works and works well, Edge Pro is the way to go. Get the pro system- it's built like a tank.

http://www.edgeproinc.com/products.html

tsiloics · Oct 13, 2008

If you're into doing it without power, I would say Edge Pro + a good strop + a good ceramic rod and maybe a good steel.

In addition to bench stones, I have an Edge Pro, Pro model and one of Ben's ceramic rods. I also have one of the old, wood Hand American bi-level strops, and one of Keith's half-textured steels.

For tool steel and INFI, Edge Pro + strop is the program. For new-wave stainless, the ceramic rod is a better maintenance tool.

The exception to all of this would be if you were focused on convex primaries. Then you'd have to go with a mousepad or slack belts... or power.