Please provide: the best sharpening basics for a noob

[XtianAus]

As above

 

[Texas_toothpick]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-s-Talk-About-Sharpening-Our-Survive!-Knives

Here's a sharpening thread. Its got a lot of useful information.

 

[XtianAus]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-s-Talk-About-Sharpening-Our-Survive!-Knives

Here's a sharpening thread. Its got a lot of useful information.

Thank you!

 

[zakjak221]

Ceramic stones such as Spyderco & strop works for me on 3V.

 

[XtianAus]

Ceramic stones such as Spyderco & strop works for me on 3V.

Do the hand held handle ones where you slide the knife in and out work, or are the plate bench stone ones better?

 

[captjlw]

Hey XtianAus. I fought, twisted, cussed, pushed, pulled and tried lots of different sharpening materials attempting to learn to sharpen a knife only to, finally, after years of unguided practice, I could put a basic V edge that would mostly shave arm hair. This was somewhere around 40 years ago. Over the years through trial and error, I refined my technique to the point of being able to put a fairly good edge on most anything using a couple of stones and leather finishing with a ceramic rod or more leather. All that changed when I bought an "Edge Pro Apex" from Ben Dale. They are available at a lot of places and there are many sharpening videos on youtube and elsewhere. I can now, with patience, put a mirror finish with a micro bevel on anything that will be nearly perfect in its symmetry and pop or treetop a hair. Developing skill using Edge Pro still takes time but the reward is great edges. There will be many different views found here about sharpening, much of the finer points could be called "the art of sharpening" but most would agree that an Edge Pro will allow you to develop reasonable edges pretty f**king fast. Search this site for Edge Pro or search the web for it. Then read here what most find they need to get the best performance out of it. Stones, Strops, Lapping tapes, leather, paper - all things to use to get the edge you want.
I have nothing to do with the company. I'm just a satisfied user. Good luck.

 

[Storm72]

As above

Preppin Weapon Sanding Block.
Available Everywhere.
Automotive Sandpaper - 400 - 600 - 1000 - 1500 - 2000.
Leather Strop.

You can then sharpen any type of straight edge knife.
Scandi - Convex - Bevel - Double Bevel.

 

[MatthewSB]

Do yourself a huge favor and get a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a stropping block.

The learning curve is short, and it's hard to destroy a blade, if you do it wrong while learning, with the SharpMaker.

 

[JustinFournier]

I use a Wicked edge with a bunch of different stones and strops. It can put a mirror edge on anything that isn't too long very quickly and easily. The learning curve is about 1 minute if you have decent dexterity. I even tried on a blank and it was perfect.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I use this for basic sharpening/repair:

I bought a double-sided DMT MagnaGuide Aligner kit, but I am not sure which i prefer... one of them will have to go, so if you're interested in the set-up above, let me know via PM/e-mail.

 

[robgmn]

+1 for Edgepro or similar fixable-angle setups, from someone who has always freehanded.
Extremely precise angles and edges (as in factory-precise), and systems start at under $30.

You want 15 degrees? You got it.
Prefer 16? You got it.
How about 18.5? You got it.

A new edge with mirror finish can be obtained in very short order, even for a newbie.
Easy enough to get a good edge that my 10 y.o. son can do it.

 

[Brian_T]

I have had great success with a simple Norton Oilstone on the S7 and 3V models.

Lots of ways to skin a cat...

B

 

[winger51]

I use a Wicked edge with a bunch of different stones and strops. It can put a mirror edge on anything that isn't too long very quickly and easily. The learning curve is about 1 minute if you have decent dexterity. I even tried on a blank and it was perfect.

:thumbup:

 

[Hard Knocks]

I have had great success with a simple Norton Oilstone on the S7 and 3V models.

Lots of ways to skin a cat...

B

Yep. I'm fortunate enough to own a metal-working (grinding) shop, so there are options. But between the burr-king sander and leather power hone, I still prefer a good old 3 stone Norton oil system with silicon carbide/india/hard arkansas. Definitely more than one way to do it.

 

[Storm72]

I have had great success with a simple Norton Oilstone on the S7 and 3V models.

Lots of ways to skin a cat...

B

Funny.....
That does not look like The Original Strop Bat that I made for you a million years ago!

 

[Brian_T]

Funny.....
That does not look like The Original Strop Bat that I made for you a million years ago!

LOL! Johnny H. has it. Had to share the wealth.

B

 

[shumanlives]

I can never get it sharp like it comes from the factory. So my solution was to buy two 5.1s. This way I will always have one while I have the other one sent out to Guy for sharpening. I figure I only need it done once a year. I can get a working edge, but nothing beats a "scary sharp" edge.

 

[Silver Needle]

I can never get it sharp like it comes from the factory. So my solution was to buy two 5.1s. This way I will always have one while I have the other one sent out to Guy for sharpening. I figure I only need it done once a year. I can get a working edge, but nothing beats a "scary sharp" edge.

I'm not surprised to hear this. There is a rumor going around that the final step in the shop is a stropping on Guy's own beard.

Great solution to keeping those knives Guy sharp :thumbup: