Problem with Izula (novice)

Biast said:
So what type of Sandpaper should I get? Or should I just try the Diamond Rod on my Smith Sharpener that was mentioned earlier. And can anyone recommend what type of Stones I should get? Is there a set or something?

Thanks.
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What do you want to do? spend hours reprofiling the edge with sandpaper? spend hours grinding out the high spots on a stone to get it completely straight? Not to mention spend the money on new sharpening tools...

Why not work with what you have already, smith diamond rod, and get to using your knife before you invest further.
 
ron_m80 said:
What do you want to do? spend hours reprofiling the edge with sandpaper? spend hours grinding out the high spots on a stone to get it completely straight? Not to mention spend the money on new sharpening tools...

Why not work with what you have already, smith diamond rod, and get to using your knife before you invest further.
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I would like to use my Knife. The problem is that I messed up the Blade and I need to fix it. Buying the Tools necessary isn't really an issue for me. I dont mind using the Smith Diamond Rod like you are suggesting if that will work. But I just looked up the DMT Coarse/Fine Diafold and was thinking about picking that up for $30 after Work which I can also use as a field sharpener.

Anyone have any experience with these DMT Coarse/Fine Diafolds? I've been watching some VIDS on Youtube and they appear to be good.

I have a Knife addiction now! Another one is in the Mail.
 
Google the Lansky diamond system. You can even pull up some Youtube videos to see how it works.

I have one that I bought probably 15 years ago and it works just as good now as it did back then, also it doesn't hurt to also learn how to use stones.

With the Lansky, you get a clamp that gives you set angles at 17, 20, 25 and 30 degrees. It comes with hones in extra course, course, medium and fine grits...and they retail for around $50 +/-. You can also buy additional ceramic hones if you so choose.

Also, if you already used the pull thru sharpener, I seriously doubt that they would take it back if you tried to return it. I wouldn't even try.

Good luck!
 
I'm not attempting to return it. I know it's my fault the Blade is dull. I'm just trying to fix it and using it as my learning Knife. I'll check out the Lansky as well.
 
I use the dmt coarse fine all the time. Get it even and started sharp on the coarse and get it pretty sharp on the fine, then use a ceramic stick to get it sharper and a piece of leather with polish on it to make it really sharp. Once you get the techinc down it wont take you long. You can use a shaprie on the edge to make sure your contacting the right place on the edge. I personally like to get rid of the factory grind marks and work up to a nice polished edge. It seems easier for me to maintain in the field that way. The izula will take a razor edge and keep it, the esee3 that ron suggested is one of my all time favorite field and camp knives, I would suggest that too. Paired with your esee5 and the Izula you would have all your outdoor bases covered until you need a chopper (esee junglas).

Have fun and ask if you have more questions.
cricket
 
The Sharpmaker is a great start. The very first thing you might want to try before using any sharpener is to mark the blade with a Sharpie (black permanent marker). After a few strokes, with the sharpener of your choice, take a look at the edge to see where you are making contact. At this point you will know if the angle of the blade matches the angle that you are sharpening on. You could make 30 or more strokes and never be making contact with the edge of the knife. Even people who have been sharpening quite a long time use this method. I sharpen on a belt sander, edge pro or possibly any one of 10 other methods and do check with the Sharpie often to start. Best of luck sharpening and welcome to the forum.
 
If you are going to really use the knife you don't need to go the whole route of sharpening, polishing, and stropping. You'll spend more time getting the knife sharp than the time it will stay sharp. The diamond rod on your smith pocket hone or the DMT coarse/fine hone you were looking at will work just fine for real life field use. A mirror polished stropped edge is nice and all, but for a novice sharpener, why spend all the time getting the edge to that point when it will be undone the first time you cut into a knot in wood or nick the edge on a rock? I've used pull through sharpeners before and fixing what you did to the edge shouldn't take all that long with a coarse diamond hone. You don't need an exact bevel, just keep the angle the same along the whole length of the blade. Use a sharpie marker and color the edge. When you start sharpening, you will see if you are getting to the very edge of the blade. if you aren't adjust the angle, if you are, keep going until it feels sharp...then do it again on the other side. once you get the edge to a working sharpness, take a couple of passes on the fine stone at a slightly steeper angle to give it a micro-bevel, and voila, you will have a sharp knife that is ready for some field use.

down the line, when you get more experienced with sharpening, you can buy all the gizmos and strops, but for now just get your knife sharp and enjoy using it. welcome to bladeforums :)
 
marcinek said:
Why not? If you bought a new car, and it didn't start, you'd want your money back or the car fixed, wouldn't you?
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Knives and cars are very different. Either way, no, I wouldn't want a refund. Just sharpen the knife and get to using it, don't just send it back.
 
Guys just tried sharpening it with the Smiths Diamond Rod. No dice. I now can't even cut through a piece of Paracord. Very discouraging. I just ordered the dmt diafold coarse/fine off of amazon. Hopefully I'll have better results.
 
EK20 said:
Sending back a knife because it came dull? Really?
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Sure, unless it was some kind of special deal or if i needed it right away for a camp trip or something and didnt have time to send it back for an exchange. I work hard to make sure my customers are receiving the best quality service that their hard earned money can buy, why shouldnt i expect the best and get it? Depending on the type of some particular knives, i might even send it back if it had someones grubby fingerprints on it...really!
 
ron_m80 said:
Welcome, there is a ton of information here at Bladeforums to aid you in your new hobby. :D Sharpening follows the same rules as cutting, keep the edge pointed and heading away from yourself and all of your digits.
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I second the rule of cutting. Opening a package (a knife package, ironically), I was pulling towards me. The knife slipped and I stabbed myself in the lip. It went into my gums. Always take your knives seriously, I have also cut myself sharpening, and sliced my thumb good using a clamp sharpener when the stone slipped off the to of the blade.

Back to the actual thread, get yourself a guided clamp system, like those from Gatco and Smith's. That is how I got into sharpening knives, and just using the coarse/fine stones I could get a nigh razor edge. Once I took up stropping, it went to razor, and now that I am using a wallet for finishing touches, my blades get scary sharp, like so sharp they seem dull (if that makes sense).
 
Cold Kill said:
I second the rule of cutting. Opening a package (a knife package, ironically), I was pulling towards me. The knife slipped and I stabbed myself in the lip. It went into my gums.
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I know a guy which was opening a package and stabbed himself in the eye, he lost the eye. I guess thats why god gives us 2. Hopefully he learned.
 
EK20 said:
Sending back a knife because it came dull? Really?
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+1

I've never understood why so many people worry so much about how sharp knives are from the factory. I mean sure, it's nice when they are super sharp out of the box, but in a week or two you're going to have to sharpen it anyway, so who cares?

marcinek said:
Why not? If you bought a new car, and it didn't start, you'd want your money back or the car fixed, wouldn't you?
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This is more like returning a car because the gas tank is almost empty.
 
Dekz said:
This is more like returning a car because the gas tank is almost empty.
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It's more like returning a new car becuase they forgot to put the engine in it. Call me crazy, but I like new products to perform their primary function when I take posession of them.
 
Dekz said:
+1

I've never understood why so many people worry so much about how sharp knives are from the factory. I mean sure, it's nice when they are super sharp out of the box, but in a week or two you're going to have to sharpen it anyway, so who cares?



This is more like returning a car because the gas tank is almost empty.
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It's more like returning a car because it has no headlights, brake lights, or turn lights. They will eventually burn out and need to be replaced, but you expect the company to take the time to get everything right for the money you paid.
 
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