Question about sending knife off for sharpening, not to Chris Reeve

[brownshoe]

I've seen a knife goobered up by a gun show sharpener. It was sad since the knife had sentimental value. My friend got his $3 refunded.

I had two customs sharpened their makers, both 20+ years of experience and one was a master smith. Both used a grinder and took off more metal than needed. One returned it not as sharp as I would like and I fixed it.

I sent a knife in to one manufacturer to be fixed and they sharpened it too. Changed the tip profile on a traditional slipjoint even though the edge was fine to begin with...they were just trying to be nice

My lesson is power equipment and knife sharpening is dangerous even in the hands of professionals. Learn how to sharpen and take the time to do it right. If you care about scratches, practice on beater knives first.

 

[bflying]

I may be picky, but I'd never let someone butcher any of my knives on an electric sharpener of any brand. Fast grinding means possible fast destruction, even by someone experienced. It's stones only for me.

Just so happened that my daughters fiancé stopped by tonight with his ZT 770CF that I gave him for his b-day. It's gotten some good use out of the factory edge, but he really missed the sharpness when new. So I put it on my KME because it is my favorite simple guided system....and it was right beside my bed where I was lounging at the time. Daughter laughed that they come for a service, and it gets done without me even getting out of bed. .

Anyway, I spent a little more time on it than needed (about 30 minutes). I wanted to give him both sharp, and a pretty edge. I only took it up to 1500 diamond stone, with my signature jeweled pattern. Then finish up with 4 &1.5 micron strops. When finished it was MUCH sharper than factory, AND really pretty to boot.

So learning the process is very advantageous, unless all you want is that one knife that is seldom used touched up every year or two.

 

[kidcongo]

I've seen a knife goobered up by a gun show sharpener. It was sad since the knife had sentimental value. My friend got his $3 refunded.

I had two customs sharpened their makers, both 20+ years of experience and one was a master smith. Both used a grinder and took off more metal than needed. One returned it not as sharp as I would like and I fixed it.

I sent a knife in to one manufacturer to be fixed and they sharpened it too. Changed the tip profile on a traditional slipjoint even though the edge was fine to begin with...they were just trying to be nice

My lesson is power equipment and knife sharpening is dangerous even in the hands of professionals. Learn how to sharpen and take the time to do it right. If you care about scratches, practice on beater knives first.

Wise words