My Nemesis - Sharpening

I've got two or three strops but I've recently been using the lansky strop with green polish.
 
Another trick to get the most out of the "sharpie trick", pick up a chisel tip sharpie, a lot easier to apply perfectly.
 
Haven't tried a chisel tip, but I found a normal sharpie works best if you tilt it on it's side so your marking with the side of the sharpie as instead of how you normally use one. So it's probably more like a chisel tip that way. If I ever find a a sharpie like your talking about lying around the house I have to give it a try.
 
As stated I would stay away from the pull through sharpeners. Especially the sharpeners with the carbide. If you want to see what the carbide can do to a blade check out my facebook site, wilsonsharpening. I have magnified pictures of the damage that they do to an edge.
 
I gave up on hand sharpening as I could never get the correct angle. I now use the Lansky system and I am more than happy.
 
Alaska_Guy said:
I gave up on hand sharpening as I could never get the correct angle. I now use the Lansky system and I am more than happy.
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It just takes practice, one of the reasons why I reccomend a dedicated sharpening knife as you can walk away with it being dull with no issue. I find putting on a proper bevel to replace the crappy ones the factor puts on makes a world of difference, easy way of doing that is using the DMT Aligner clamp with a benchstone. After that put sharpie on the bevel and try to sharpen by hand, and check on the sharpie/edge frequently.

Just know your going to screw up a lot till you get it down, than you just don't screw up as much as time goes on.

I cheated earlier today and wanted to have a vague idea of what my new $6 Norton Economy stone could do (I believe it's an india stone as my best guess as it's definately not a silicon carbide). Well anyway I used my Aligner clamp with a Victorinox paring knife on it to reprofile it and sharpen it. Than finished up by wrapping a piece of newspaper around it and stropped it. Was able to easily slice through newspaper and shave arm hair. Not bad considering it's one of the first times I used the clamp that way (I've only had the 4in hones that came with my Aligner), and first time I used this stone.

I have found there is a trick to duplicating those types of results from guided setups like I did above to 100% free hand. Don't think, or at least over think. I sit back and listen to music and let my hands do the work and check on the progress. If I over think and focus on sharpening I will keep screwing up and I am being too harsh on myself which makes me change my technique, angle, etc more often than required. The real trick to being able to do that is practicing enough till you can do this though. I am definitely not perfect but my skill has been improving steadily for the most part minus a few "clicks" which increase my skill dramatically.

But if the lansky works for you, that's good you found something that works you can't argue with the results and your satisfaction :thumbup:. (hmm I just realized I rambled on quite a bit when I didn't need to, I need to get some sleep.)
 
Yes, a good teacher would help to learn sharpening. Still, its a skill not beyond the scope of a normal mind. Many of us here learned it by looking at a video and doing it. One good edge helps you connect the dots and practice with your kitchen knives develops your skill. A good combination Norton man made stone helps. Then just work it on the stone more. DM
 
I have a Wicked Edge that I use to re-profile blades, sharpen & strop. It's a terrific system. It is however expensive.

If you only have a couple of knives that need re-profiled or are very dull you might consider sending them away and then getting a SharpMaker with Ultra fine stones to keep them sharp. Just have the person you use (couple here on BFs) set the edge to match one of the SharpMaker presets. Alternatively, if you have time you could re-profile on the SharpMaker (depending on the edge and the steel this can take a long time).

Ultimately I guess the best answer for you will depend on needs (keep sharp vs re-profile, etc), number of knives to sharpen, budget and goal (sharp knives vs. learning/improving sharpening skills).

Good luck!
 
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