Always been kind of in love with blades since I was little, much to my parents chagrin.
First things first, I just bought a set of norton wet stones in 220, 1000 and 4000 along with the steelex holders for each. I'll get the 8K stone later. Have always sharpened my knives by hand for the most part with steels, diamond steels and handheld stones and diamond flats, have achieved a decent edge thus far, what i think was decent.
Had a Lansky stone kit for a while but lost it in a move, that was a nice way to achieve a nice edge on smaller knives. Can't wait to start to learn the old school stones. 
Very good with my hands, always have been. Know metallurgy a bit, made my own chisels, pin and center punches in my machinist training. Loved doing that.
Have a budding knife collection including a Teton Bowie I bought close to 20 years ago now. Still wicked sharp and I've put it through moderate hell. Just recently found out it's a somewhat rare piece. I just purchased a Laredo Bowie and I have a couple more fixed and a few folders.
Thinking about making my own knives in the future, bought a couple trash winchester bowies on amazon and am going to try my hand a handle making first on those. Not too pleased with my Laredo's handle being cracked from day one, but it is what it is. Saw the thread about the cable system, not worried about that. Love the knife and will be getting it re-handled by a professional in the next few months.
Learning tons here, what a great forum. Been lurking and reading here for about a month now, the knowledge base here is off the charts. I could sit and read all day.
First things first, I just bought a set of norton wet stones in 220, 1000 and 4000 along with the steelex holders for each. I'll get the 8K stone later. Have always sharpened my knives by hand for the most part with steels, diamond steels and handheld stones and diamond flats, have achieved a decent edge thus far, what i think was decent.
Had a Lansky stone kit for a while but lost it in a move, that was a nice way to achieve a nice edge on smaller knives. Can't wait to start to learn the old school stones. Very good with my hands, always have been. Know metallurgy a bit, made my own chisels, pin and center punches in my machinist training. Loved doing that.
Have a budding knife collection including a Teton Bowie I bought close to 20 years ago now. Still wicked sharp and I've put it through moderate hell. Just recently found out it's a somewhat rare piece. I just purchased a Laredo Bowie and I have a couple more fixed and a few folders.
Thinking about making my own knives in the future, bought a couple trash winchester bowies on amazon and am going to try my hand a handle making first on those. Not too pleased with my Laredo's handle being cracked from day one, but it is what it is. Saw the thread about the cable system, not worried about that. Love the knife and will be getting it re-handled by a professional in the next few months.
Learning tons here, what a great forum. Been lurking and reading here for about a month now, the knowledge base here is off the charts. I could sit and read all day.
