Mousepad/paper question part 2

Joined
Nov 16, 2002
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Okay, so I got the micepads, wet/dry paper, and scary-sharp film (hoity-toity sandpaper), but...

How do I move the blade to drag an edge into the tip and belly? I tried rotating the knife on the mousepad, but I ended up using too much pressure and rounding the edge over.

Is there a special trick for sharpening the belly of a trailing point knife?

Many thanks.
 
On knives with extensive curvature you may have to do them in sections. With really upswept tips I usually do most of the straight edge first and then do the tip. Because of the curvature of the tip it usually takes significantly longer to hone than the straight edge. Once both are worked to close to optimal sharpness then you can lightly hone both together, but there is no harm in doing them totally in sections. As you practice you will become more able to sharpen curves naturally. I would start out with very simple shapes like the geometric tanto which is all straight lines. It is dead easy to hone. One you have that down you will have a solid feel for the feedback pressure and then you move on to lighter curves. It is also better to start off with a softer easy to machine steel. It is all about minimizing frustration.

-Cliff
 
Buzzbait's diagram explained how I rounded the edge and polished it to a great shine. I was using too steep of an angle. I pity the fixed blade I'm attacking when I get home. If it pities me afterwards, there's a poor Americanized tanto with AUS-6A steel that I've been eyeing.

Thanks again guys!
 
Buzzbait,

The info and images in your link should be appended to the Bladeforum Sharpening FAQ. They'd definitely help a lot of people make strong, sharp edges and probably make many Seki City folders virtually indistinguishable from each other. Thanks again.

Edited to add:

Well, I put a hollow-ground hunter against the mousepad and stropped away. I haven't finished the first side yet, but it struck me as funny to put a convex edge on a concave grind. So far, so good. Again, thanks again!
 
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