Need Help With Sharpening!

[Papp71]

I need some help. I caught the knife bug about a year ago and slowly started buying some good knives. But my problem is, I have almost no sharpening equipment. I have a DMT Duofold and thats about it. I am pretty new to sharpening and I think its about time i get some good tools and equipment and to learn. So school me on sharpening!
Thanks guys.

 

[cp9]

edgepro apex is fool proof

 

[marthinus]

Well here is my process and my simple tools. With a good set of diamond stones, time and effort to learn you can get great results!

I recently noticed while playing with the benchstone and a piece of plank that it seemed to be a good angle at around 5 degrees. After some measurement this is what I came up with:

Now the reason for this is due to a video done by another member on various forums.
Here is a link to his great adjustable sharpening platform:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhrqfV5jvs

My method is very similar, except after watching videos of the Bubble Jig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Jp5NLNmMe2Y

I decided to incorporate something similar till I can afford the real Bubble Jig.

The secret is to get a good burr going. This is D2 steel on my Becnhmade Bone Collector profiled to 10 degrees per side.

Good burr

Edge all the way sharpened

No burr, and not hitting the entire edge: BAD!

Then I knock the burr of with white ceramic stone of Lansky

Then strop.

Results

Under 25X times magnification

In the field I use a diamond paddle 600 grit or Lansky Turn box kit. Usually I just use the paddle and lightly knock the bur off.

Total edge reprofiling: Can take up to 2 hours.
Edge maintenance. Less then 10 minutes to same results as above. In the field the same time. (this can vary depending on the damage to the edge and DONT STOP UNTIL YOU FEEL THE BURR)

Reasons I started with this low angle and constant low angle.
Well here is a video.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ewerstruly#p/c/299E614F6D3C94DD/6/u4rDIFFyXVk
It requires less force to cut through material.

and I read the book
The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening.
Here is a website where you can get the book.
http://www.razoredgesystems.com/products/books

DMT stones will make the process much faster IMO and of course, this is my process for my needs. I convex certain knives, but EDC and hunting knives are as thin as possible. Your needs may vary, but remember when sharpening.....GET THE BURR!

 

[Papp71]

Marthinus, Thanks for all the info!! I will read into it more in depth tomorrow.

 

[VulcansChrome]

very informative post /\
with good pictures of your process

I personally use a lansky 4-stone diamond system. it will turn aus 8 into a deadly weapon, but on the harder steels it's a pita time consumption

 

[marthinus]

Marthinus, Thanks for all the info!! I will read into it more in depth tomorrow.

Glad I could help.

very informative post /\
with good pictures of your process

I personally use a lansky 4-stone diamond system. it will turn aus 8 into a deadly weapon, but on the harder steels it's a pita time consumption

Thanks for the kind words. I have the older version of the Lansky (without diamonds) and it just took to long in reprofiling my knives. I do feel that something such as DMT's XX Course diamond stones will be the fastest in reprofiling any edge because it is more stone, better abrasive to remove steel (excluding power tools of course) and once you get the basics done of 1. keeping the edge at a constant angle (probably the most difficult with freehand sharpening) 2. till you get a good burr going it is a great method.

 

[richard j]

if you are wanting to check out a powered system that will sharpen your knives razor sharp in a few minutes check out the paper wheels. most guys pick up on it right away but i suggest practicing on some beater knives first. here is a thread i started on the paper wheels. the link takes you to a post by member stevenkelby who had me sharpen a knife for him which sold him on the wheels. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9207988&postcount=710