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Lost my touch...
- Thread starter THG
- Start date
Yeah, I've had those days... A lot of it is just due to general fatigue, or maybe just I didn't eat well that day, and my hand just isn't as steady. I remember one day I was trying to hold a good stroke and saw the spine just "bouncing" up and down through the stroke, and I just decided to wait until the next day when I was back to normal.
Sharpening is really an act of finesse which takes a lot of dexterity and motor control... So I think a lot of things can effect how well you're going to do.
Sharpening is really an act of finesse which takes a lot of dexterity and motor control... So I think a lot of things can effect how well you're going to do.
Jason B.
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2007
- Messages
- 11,196
It happens, I've left knives sit for several days before picking up where I left off. Your mood, stress, food, drink (coffee is bad), or if your head is not clear and your hand shaky things usually don't work in your favor.
Frustration only makes it worse.
Frustration only makes it worse.
lol yep, I had exactly some of that.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2009
- Messages
- 11,409
If I've been out of practice on a system, I would just practice on a cheap knife.
Honestly, it just sounds like nothing but fun to sharpen up an old Mora on some waterstones without the worry of messing up the grind on a $10 knife.
Honestly, it just sounds like nothing but fun to sharpen up an old Mora on some waterstones without the worry of messing up the grind on a $10 knife.
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2007
- Messages
- 9,008
I don't know about the bouncing but certainly some days I feel a little less controlled then others. I make a habit of making sure I am in a good mood before I sharpen. You can really have some expensive anger management if you play with a grinder and a knife when mad!
Happy 4th
Kevin
Happy 4th
Kevin
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,537
Absolutely. Somedays, the 'mojo' just isn't there. All of the previous comments here are spot on, in terms of what I've experienced at one time or another. For me, the biggest factors are fatigue (physically or mentally), and not eating well. I've really noticed, when my eating habits degrade, it affects my ability to think clearly, my hands become unsteady, and my ever-aging eyes have trouble seeing the important details that are critical to the task.
I've learned that part of the 'Zen' of sharpening, for me, is to just not worry if today's not the day for it. Consistent with my user handle here, I tend to 'obsess' about the process for days at a time, and at some point, I can just feel that the time is right. That's when I'll pick up a knife and have at it. That approach has worked consistently well for me so far.
Don't worry about losing your touch. It's still there, maybe just resting up a bit. You'll get it back.
I've learned that part of the 'Zen' of sharpening, for me, is to just not worry if today's not the day for it. Consistent with my user handle here, I tend to 'obsess' about the process for days at a time, and at some point, I can just feel that the time is right. That's when I'll pick up a knife and have at it. That approach has worked consistently well for me so far.
Don't worry about losing your touch. It's still there, maybe just resting up a bit. You'll get it back.
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2010
- Messages
- 6,642
Break out the Sharpie. I've found that some times when the desire just isn't there and it feels more like work I actually do a better job. If I feel so uninspired that I don't even want to get my gear out, then I don't. I do quite a bit of my sharpening at work on my bench behind the press, so I frequently cannot even hear what's going on and it all has to be done by feel. I've had a time or two where I stopped and cleaned up before finishing. If I get fatigued enough, or used my hands hard that day, I just don't have the feel to do a good job without the assistance of my ears. Usually I just get into the Zen state and focus as best I can with my senses, remember my purpose, and it turns out well. Fatigue and too much thought are the biggest enemies.
HH
HH
That was the most frustrating part, actually. I was sharpening, and the knife just wouldn't get sharp. The "feel" was right and everything. So I took out marker and marked up the edge. Lo and behold, the edge was NOT getting sharpened. So I kept trying and trying, but the angle that felt right wasn't the angle of my edge. I couldn't "feel" it like I usually do.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
- Messages
- 11,601
It happens.
Ever watch sports? NO ONE can be at their best every time they want to be.
Sharpening is a fine motor skill that actually requires a balance and coordination of several keen senses (touch, sound, sight). Some days you get REALLY good results, some days you get pretty good result...once in a long while, it seems you can not get ANY results at all.
Take both hands, plant them firmly on the bench and push yourself away. Your skills are not gone, they are just resting...let them rest my friend.
Ever watch sports? NO ONE can be at their best every time they want to be.
Sharpening is a fine motor skill that actually requires a balance and coordination of several keen senses (touch, sound, sight). Some days you get REALLY good results, some days you get pretty good result...once in a long while, it seems you can not get ANY results at all.
Take both hands, plant them firmly on the bench and push yourself away. Your skills are not gone, they are just resting...let them rest my friend.