please help me get started with some basic knife maintenance

T

The Trout

Joined
Jan 14, 2014
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i got a crkt m16 awhile ago and i think it needs to be sharpened. i think i should also probably learn how to take care of it other than sharpening it. i think im going to get the spyderco sharpmaker because im not ready to get an edgepro or wicked edge, and i preferred it to the lansky because i heard the rods can bend. so what else should i do to take care of my knife? i dont even know how to clean it, i was thinking soap and water and some compressed air but im not sure. also should i be using any oil? i read some oils are better than others for knives. i just need a push in the right direction so if theres a big thread with this info or anyone has some suggestions thatd be great.
 
If you're on a budget, don't shy away from the Lansky because of what someone else told you. I've never had a problem with mine and it gives good results. Yes, you could bend the rods, but only out of negligence. You might also want to take a look at the Lansky 4-rod Turnbox. I get the same results from this as I do from the Deluxe system, and it only costs around $20.

From what I have read, the Sharpmaker is also a good choice, just more $$. No firsthand experience here, though.
 
ok thanks, ill give the lansky another look. any suggestions for cleaning and maintenance other than sharpening - what are the best ways to clean and do you think i should use any oil?
 
I personally like to disassemble mine and dab some mineral oil the pivot. It also makes it much easier to clean. I oil the blade from time to time. Be aware of the manufacturers warranty, however, and that you aren't voiding it by taking it apart.
 
ok ill be sure to look at the warranty in the future, i got the m16 so i could learn about taking care of it and sharpening it before i got something nicer.
 
One quite cheap and easy way to sharpen is to use microgrit range (very fine to ultra fine) sandpaper (of type suitable for metals) over glass surface. Very cheap and quite effective. You can even do and maintain convex edges.

In ISO/FEPA Grit designation (might be somewhat different with US/CAMI)

Grits 120 - 180: Reprofiling
Grits 240 - 400: Dull knives
Grits 600 - 800: Slightly dull knives
Grits 1000 - 2000: Touch ups.

Start from the most suitable starting Grit and work your way up.
 
The Sharpmaker is good for touchups but if you need to reprofile the blade then it's not the ideal tool. Oil is ok I use mineral oil from the grocery store. It's $2 for a large bottle and it'll last for ages.
 
Basic maintenance is easy, soap and hot water, scrub and open/close the knife underwater, rinse with scalding hot water and shake out the excess water.

Oil isn't so important, I think CRKT uses grease in the M16 and it takes very hot water to start making it run.

Sharpening is a skillset of its own, you will find a veritable cornucopia of information on sharpening, some good, some bad. Sharpening is a polarizing subject and as such should be approached by what you think looks and performs well whether it's coffee cup sharpening or spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on a sharpening setup.

I got to a point in knife purchases where I could either get a new knife or an Edge Pro, I made the right choice and got an Edge Pro, having a stable full of good steel sharp is in my opinion better than having one or two more knives.

Just be prepared for the learning curve if sharpening, you will be learning what to look for when an edge is sharp, what it feels like, how long you'll need to work on your bevel, what angles you like, what grit you like, how you want to strop and probably a handful of things that I'm forgetting to type at the moment.

Enjoy your journey, fill out your profile, if you live close by, I can hook you up with a new edge.
 
Sharpmaker is a great system for mild to moderate sharpening applications. You can get some super sharp edges off the stock setup and even more so with the ultra fine rods. My first hair whittling edge was a Spyderco Persistence off the Sharpmaker ultra fines and a strop, FWIW.
 
I use silicone spray to clean my knives...thanks work...hehehe.
I generally take the knife apart, spray the silicone either on a clean cloth, old tshirts, etc., or directly on the parts if needed...and wipe clean. When reassembling I only lube the pivot area and that sparingly, just enough to lubricate.

I also use the Lansky and have never bent a rod. One thing I have done to make sharpening easier is to buy an extra set of rods from Lansky...two bucks plus shipping...I replaced the wing screws with stainless steel set screws with a touch of blue loctite to hold the rod in place. Now each hone has its' own rod which has been adjusted properly...makes switching hones so much easier.
 
The rods on my Lansky bow just from putting them in, and taking them out of the case. Still, it's not a big deal to straighten them. Just roll the rod on a flat surface then bow it in the opposite direction until it's straight.
 
I have a lansky system, and the rods do bend. To keep everything consistent i use the same rod for all the stones. I get excellent results with it. Its hard to get all the rods to be bent the exact same.
 
Just be prepared for the learning curve if sharpening, you will be learning what to look for when an edge is sharp, what it feels like, how long you'll need to work on your bevel, what angles you like, what grit you like, how you want to strop and probably a handful of things that I'm forgetting to type at the moment.
Click to expand...

This right here is why I DONT use lansky or any other knife sharpening "system", use free stones, get the feel of what you NEED to do and save a few hundo that you can spend on other knives by learning to hand sharpen.
 
I was in the same boat as you The Trout a little bit ago and decided on the sharpmaker. I'll share some thoughts as someone who is just starting out themselves. The sharpmaker is sweet and can put an awesome edge on blades but if your knife is really dull I wouldn't recommend starting with it (I ending up getting a diamond stone). Also it only comes in 30 degree and 40 degree angle settings, so see what the CRKT bevel angle is set at, if its something like 60 degrees you will really have to work hard with the sharpmaker to get the bevels set all the way down to the edge. As others have said, it should be called the sharp keeper, but it does a damn fine job of it. I'm quite happy with mine as it has many applications, just informing you of some limitations. I don't own a lansky so can't speak on that topic. If your wondering about what lube to use don't hesitate to contact CRKT, I can say from personal experience they are very nice and helpful. As a last note, get ready for a learning curve, but if your getting into knives im sure you won't mind putting in the time and learning some cool skills.
 
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