Playing with knives in quarantine?

S

Smiling

Joined
Nov 21, 2019
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So, I'm not working today, and it seems my country will have to do major shutdown like most of the europe did already... but my city and area around it is a major red zone.

So I dressed up, put my Recon Tanto and some dog treats in my jacket, put Drop Forged Hunter and small sharpening stone in pockets of my pants, and will take my dog with me to the forrest to test out both of the blades to compare their performance. I've used both of them, but I have never compared them directly.

Anyone else plans to do similar stuff? Anyone else has similar ideas?
I'm off to the forrest now, but I'm looking forwards to your answers :D
 
I've been out in my shop working on some stuff; new pattern for blades which are going to heat treat soon, welding on a rolling table for the new milling machine which arrives this week, cleaning & straightening so I'm ready for the setup of the machine. Fortunately, I'm retired & have a bit more time for life now. We live in a small town in northern New Mexico, so there are no active cases yet, but there's a lot of traffic on the Interstate through town, our likely infection route here. A bit of common sense will help most people.

Smiling, enjoy the forest, the dog & the knives. Life is good!
 
I was just getting ready to ht my second knife when all of this stuff happened, and now the place I was going to ht it at is closed. So who knows? Maybe I’ll grind on some other stuff, we’ll see. But there’s is definetly going to be pouting.:(
 
If we get shutdown where I'm at, I plan to do a little rustic camping if the weather cooperates so my son can tolerate the temperatures. There are a lot of good activities outside that can happen without being around people. I'll probably do a lot of fire starting practice since there are a ton of branches still in the yard from when winter knocked a bunch down with wind and ice storms.

So far, not much has changed other than the conversations for me since I'm not the most social person anyway. Solo bicycle rides and hikes through the woods are still on :)
 
I wouldn’t mind being in isolation, in fact I’m very comfortable being by myself and enjoy metime, but I have to go working in a job that also receives customers. Very uncertain times indeed.
 
We aren't on massive lockdown here. Most places are open, but we are being cautious to only get out for what we need.

Outdoor plans consist of hikes in the state owned (not state park) where the trails are empty and slingshot practice in the back yard. Knife tests will be most mundane.
 
Smiling said:
So, I'm not working today, and it seems my country will have to do major shutdown like most of the europe did already... but my city and area around it is a major red zone.

So I dressed up, put my Recon Tanto and some dog treats in my jacket, put Drop Forged Hunter and small sharpening stone in pockets of my pants, and will take my dog with me to the forrest to test out both of the blades to compare their performance. I've used both of them, but I have never compared them directly.

Anyone else plans to do similar stuff? Anyone else has similar ideas?
I'm off to the forrest now, but I'm looking forwards to your answers :D
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You're not "in quarantine" if you live in a city and are going out to the forest to play. I'd advise staying home as to not inadvertently come into close contact with anyone. I know that is not your intent, but things happen.

We aren't in quarantine but are following the CDC guidelines (as well as common sense) and not going out unless absolutely necessary. PO, gas, grocery store (though we are already stocked up), that sort of thing.

I will be playing with knives at home though.
 
Smiling said:
So, I'm not working today, and it seems my country will have to do major shutdown like most of the europe did already... but my city and area around it is a major red zone.

So I dressed up, put my Recon Tanto and some dog treats in my jacket, put Drop Forged Hunter and small sharpening stone in pockets of my pants, and will take my dog with me to the forrest to test out both of the blades to compare their performance. I've used both of them, but I have never compared them directly.

Anyone else plans to do similar stuff? Anyone else has similar ideas?
I'm off to the forrest now, but I'm looking forwards to your answers :D
Click to expand...

Enjoy ! (and keep your distance)

We are officially shut down at least until Apr 7, where I live (Bay Area, US), but I still have full work days from home. I have wondered if anybody hears me playing with my EDC when on the phone (most of the time).

Actually, I don't mind being with my better half and puppies all day, and they don't seem to mind either.
 
S Smiling , I am sure glad you posted your comments! I am at home for a two to four week duration in my state and county. I desperately needed something to do.

I'm a folder guy. My folders were all toasty and it didn't make much sense to take out the big lighted loupe' over my sharpening area and look for microscopic dings. I did have a few small fixed blades that I intended to use for wilderness camping and chores that might snap a folder.

Never give a knife sharpener a dull knife and boredom. Yeah, it's a scalpel, but I am exceptionally proud at that "sharp little corner" where the belly meets the tip.

...of course, I have nothing for today...

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I should probably whip out the Edge Pro APEX. Only used it twice since purchasing it 5 years ago; too scared of messing up CRK grinds.
 
SavageSick said:
I should probably whip out the Edge Pro APEX. Only used it twice since purchasing it 5 years ago; too scared of messing up CRK grinds.
Click to expand...

I've been using The Edge Pro for closing on 20 years. Since all of us polishers have secrets, I guess it's okay to share the deep dark recesses of our mutual brotherhood trade.

The secret is black magic markers...

Oh, and use lots of blue painters' tape to cover your fingerprints in case the American CIA invades your home demanding to know how you sliced off the fender of 1947 Ford with a kitchen paring knife...
upload_2020-3-17_9-39-17.jpeg
 
Think I am going to break out the KME and refine my technique... maybe nab a couple new stones for it. Might pick up a Worksharp KO /w grinder attachment and give that a whirl too!
 
Deinos said:
refine my technique... maybe nab a couple new stones for it
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I would recommend Ken Schwartz to secure your stones. As you can see from the right hand corner of my picture I have about 30 stones. Ken's stones are primarily Japanese. In all these years I have only worn out one stone.

I also use his glass stones, utilizing all grits of paper from Ben Dale and Ken.

You don't have to polish the edges to a mirror finish, but once you've watched a blade fall through paper you're hooked!
 
TheTourist said:
I've been using The Edge Pro for closing on 20 years. Since all of us polishers have secrets, I guess it's okay to share the deep dark recesses of our mutual brotherhood trade.

The secret is black magic markers...

Oh, and use lots of blue painters' tape to cover your fingerprints in case the American CIA invades your home demanding to know how you sliced off the fender of 1947 Ford with a kitchen paring knife...
View attachment 1304324
Click to expand...
LOL!

How long does it take to sharpen a 3" in super steel (e.g. M390, S90V)?

My first time sharpening M390 (BM Contego), took me a good half hour.
 
Well, I had some fun, dog had a good workout and so did I (kinda)...

I was testing them on some bushes that will be cut or burned anyways...

Results:
Recon Tanto is a better chopper (obviously because it's longer).
Drop Forged Hunter has better edge retention (52100 outperforms SK-5 here)
Recon Tanto has better and more comfortable handle.
Drop Forged Hunter is better at carving.

Later I had fun sharpening my knives.


All in all, my boredom ends here as I applied to volunteer at attending infected people. :)
 
SavageSick said:
LOL!

How long does it take to sharpen a 3" in super steel (e.g. M390, S90V)?

My first time sharpening M390 (BM Contego), took me a good half hour.
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Usually when I reprofile the steep factory grind it'll take me the better part of an hour to get the new edge right where I want it.
I'm kind of a perfectionist though.:thumbsup:
 
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