Maintaining an Edge

[k9barker]

Hello all,

I just had a few questions after doing some research about maintaining the edge on my edc. My knife out of the box was hair-shaving sharp, but after some time of light use, the edge is not quite as performing. I looked up a few systems, like the Lansky, Sharpmaker, and Edge Pro. Out of all of these the Lansky is the most appealing. Honestly though, I don't think my use on the knife requires that much work on it. I just want something free hand that could return it back to it's original state. I have looked into strops and stones, but would like some recommendations before I went this route. The main goal is to be able to maintain the blades often enough that they won't require heavy duty sharpening, if this is possible, and to return them to their hair-shaving state.

All opinions are welcome, thanks again!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

For just maintaining an already decent edge, a lot of folks here like the Sharpmaker from Spyderco. In that capacity (anything short of reprofiling/re-bevelling), it's probably about the simplest to learn, and is very capable of maintaining shaving edges on blades. The Sharpmaker hones (ceramic) are not really aggressive enough for reprofiling, and the optional diamond hones for it are also a little too fine for that.

For pure free-handing, you can't go wrong with one or two DMT Dia-Folds. The C/F (blue/red) will handle 99% of any touch-ups you need to do, and is also quite good at some fairly heavy repair work to a damaged edge. The EF/EEF Dia-Fold will really put a wickedly sharp edge on it, beyond that. (Edit: I'll also add, if you DO choose to utilize a guided method, the DMT Magna-Guide & Aligner clamp are made to be used with the Dia-Folds; makes them all-the-more versatile).

I'd also recommend a simple strop. Can be made with a scrap of veg-tanned leather, glued onto a piece of wood (flat & smooth, of course). Some 1 micron diamond paste or spray would serve you very well on that strop.

 

[k9barker]

I looked into the Dia-Folds and they look very promising! From the sound of it, those two dia-folds and a strop sound exactly like what I need for being inexperienced. Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I looked into the Dia-Folds and they look very promising! From the sound of it, those two dia-folds and a strop sound exactly like what I need for being inexperienced. Thanks for the quick reply!

You're welcome. :thumbup:

I'll just add this: Go LIGHT with the pressure, when using the diamond hones. Diamond cuts very aggressively, and too much pressure is counter-productive and will shorten the life of the hones (scrubs the diamond out of the nickel substrate). The DMT hones are very durable, and will last a good, long time if you use 'em with care. Good luck!

 

[eccvets]

Hello all,

I just had a few questions after doing some research about maintaining the edge on my edc. My knife out of the box was hair-shaving sharp, but after some time of light use, the edge is not quite as performing. I looked up a few systems, like the Lansky, Sharpmaker, and Edge Pro. Out of all of these the Lansky is the most appealing. Honestly though, I don't think my use on the knife requires that much work on it. I just want something free hand that could return it back to it's original state. I have looked into strops and stones, but would like some recommendations before I went this route. The main goal is to be able to maintain the blades often enough that they won't require heavy duty sharpening, if this is possible, and to return them to their hair-shaving state.

All opinions are welcome, thanks again!

When you say shaving state, do you mean shaving arm hair or facial hair or being able to shaving a peice of hair into layers?

 

[singularity35]

When you say shaving state, do you mean shaving arm hair or facial hair or being able to shaving a peice of hair into layers?

I'd assume that the OP being a relative newbie to sharpening will be quite pleased with arm hair shaving.