Newbie first sharening, strops, and small Leek mod...

[Renorattler]

Hello all! New around here, been lurking for a while though. Just wanted to share some success, and a couple pictures. I've had knives my whole life, been carrying one as long as I can remember. I always had a nice SAK or traditional folder and carried a novelty folder. In the last five years or so I've slowly moved past the crappy ones and started getting nicer ones. I've been through some Cold Steels, Case, Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaws. If I like them I keep them, if not they move on.

Now I'm sad to say that I did not pick up the sharpening bug until just recently. So most of my knives have been maintained on a pull through ala accusharp type sharpener. I have learned my wrong and repented from my ways, but I am limited at the moment. Somewhere along the way I bought a Smiths 3 in 1 at Cabelas, so I put that and some of the info on stropping I've learned around here to use. Built a couple simple strops from some scrap wood and an old belt, and spent $5 for some compound. So my sharpening right now goes from the diamond stone on the Smiths to the ceramic rods, to the rough strop, to the smooth strop. At least, it does right now. I've been experimenting with some old Pakistan traditionals I found in a box to find the best results.

So, my first real sharpening is my old faithful Leek. Years of abuse led me breaking the tip off, so I turned it into a modified tanto, and sharpened it up. Will shave hairs, and cut telephone book paper now. And it has a nice shiny edge. There were some nicks in the blade from me doing stupid things with it, I got most of them out, but a few deep ones are still there a bit. I'm just gonna wait and let them get taken out with normal sharpening.

I've learned a lot from all the information here, looking forward to progressing to better edges. Here are some cell phone pics.

 

[sir_mike]

Looks like you did a nice job! Congrats!

 

[Kaizenator]

How is that smith's rods and Diamond working for you? I'm looking for something similar

 

[Rebel4ever]

Man, you're doing an awesome looking job with less than ideal equipment. It's obvious that you understand the technicalities of sharpening. I'd love to see what you turn out with a system like the WE, or with a good set of stones. There are plenty good ones out there that won't break the bank.

 

[Renorattler]

Looks like you did a nice job! Congrats!

Thanks! Apparently i cant type though haha.

How is that smith's rods and Diamond working for you? I'm looking for something similar

Eh, its mediocre at best. I think as a field sharpening kit it would be pretty good. Pretty compact, and can do a little bit of everything you would need. If it was the only thing you have, it can servicable. The jump from the pull through, to the 750 stone, to the who knows ceramic is not confidence inspiring.

It can be used though, as seen here. Just makes it harder to do everything.

Man, you're doing an awesome looking job with less than ideal equipment. It's obvious that you understand the technicalities of sharpening. I'd love to see what you turn out with a system like the WE, or with a good set of stones. There are plenty good ones out there that won't break the bank.

Thanks! I want a Wicked Edge very badly, but i have a kid on the way, so big expenses like that are out. Im thinking about picking up an Edge Pro style right now though to have something to reprofile a little easier with.

 

[Renorattler]

And results on an edge pro style sharpener. Cheapo folder that i have no idea where i got. Not a perfect mirror, but i like it for my first sharpening on the style of sharpener. Ordered some higher grit stones, see what happens with those!