learning a new skill

J

Jwasm1992

Joined
Aug 13, 2012
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so to day about 3 hours ago i was walking threw a auto parts store and happened to walk down the aisle for auto restoration, i spotted a sale sign and drawn to deals i looked at was on sale wetordry sand paper complete level packs 1-4(320,400,600,800) and 5-9(1000,1500,2000,3000) for a 1.50 each so on the spot i decided to learn to free hand with sand paper i bought around 50 dollars worth of paper and some WD-40 and blue shop towels, after about 2 hours of playing with cheap knives and a recurved cs spartan i am happy with my level of results, the main reason for my post is that i read about people who do this and thought it was a cool idea but i wasn't experience with sharpaning knives to even attempted it and that i need a fixed system or i would mess my knives up badly but i know realize that its not as intimidating as i once though it was and i feel more confident with every blade i do right now i still dont feel ready to put my higher end blades to the paper but soon, i am really amazed that with a magic marker and some paper and wd-40 i can work a mirror edge on a knife all by my self brings alot more pride to my knifes and its a whole new level of amazement when i go wow thats a awesome edge and i know i put it on, so i would like to thank the guys on here that post there knowledge about knives and help people like my self grow in there skills
 
Congratulations. I recently took up free hand sharpening. And I have been achieving just as sharp of edges as my other methods. It is very rewarding freehand sharpening. And once you get it down pat, is a bit more Zen like. Without sounding too cosmic I hope haha.
 
oh yeah, i started with a cheap paring knife and got it super sharp that i pick up another and another my mother now has a drawer full of super sharp knives then i moved on to mine and i swear i was only going to do one and next thing i know i had been at it for hours i and had a bunch of very sharp edges best gaming time i have ever given up :P right now im polishing of the bead blasting on my spartan i think it will look cooler all shiny and such
 
Congrats! It's all about just getting started and practicing. Have fun!

You can put a mirror finish on the whole blade too, if you feel like it. Same process.
 
Congrats on learning free-hand sharpening! There's something very calming and satisfying about free-hand sharpening. It's a continual work in progress and each time you do it you gain more knowledge and experience with it. You can also get one of those old mousepads (the soft ones made for the old roller, pre-laser mice) to convex your knives with the sandpaper. Even though I prefer stones, it's still my go to method for convex knives. Have fun! :)
 
ill have to see if i can find one :P is there a major up side to a convex over a hollow? and i have found the a pant stick makes a really good backing for the sand paper so far
any tips or tricks would be very welcomed :)
 
I convexed the edge on my Spyderco Tuff with a mousepad and some 600 and 1500 grit auto sandpaper. It worked out great.

I do find that convex edges hold better for a hard use knife that you are beating into wood. They are really easy to maintain with a loaded strop, no need to hit the sandpaper again unless you really dull it bad.

Just remember, if you decide to try the mousepad or leather, the angle is lower and the pressure is really light or else you will round it off.
 
stropping is some thing i know very little about, i know you need a strip of leather or canvas with some paste or what no on it thats about covers what i know on it, any ideas on where to pick out the basics?, and thanks for the tip about the angle i will remember that
 
I'm glad you are having success with freehanding! Good skill to have.

I had to sharpen some kitchen knives that my daughter's room mates had. They were pretty bad. No steel or stone at the house. Free handed them on the bottom of a ceramic baking dish (use the unglazed area).

Ric
 
oh thats cool i am using a piece of a broken tea pot for finishing so far its working awesome, i need more knives tho as i have already got all mine shiny :P
 
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