Question about sharpening my Military

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Got a very small chip in the edge of my Military while using it, and wanted to know if I can use my el cheapo Smiths 2 step v sharpener on it (carbide/fine sharpener). The edge, while not hair shaving sharp anymore, is still in pretty good shape. Do I send it in, or try my hand at sharpening S30V with sub par sharpeners? I have been looking at the Lansky EZE lap sharpeners. Thanks.
 
I've sharpened chips out on S30V and other steels with the SharpMaker...however, I have never used the system you mention.
 
When I bought my sharpmaker, the guy at the knife department told me that while he was attending a Lansky sponsored seminar. The instruction pointed out that both the EZE and the sharpmaker are both excellent, easy to use sharpeners.

Never used that one that you had tho.
 
I suggest NOT using the Smith's draw through sharpener except in dire emergencies. You will get a better edge using a fairly smooth concrete sidewalk. Either send it in, or get a real sharpener, PLEASE. :D
 
I should have noticed at all the money I dropped on the Smiths sharpeners I have. Two 2 step sharpeners, one diamond hone and one pen sharpener. Combined purchase price. 30 bucks ;).

I think I will send her in.
 
yablanowitz said:
I suggest NOT using the Smith's draw through sharpener except in dire emergencies. You will get a better edge using a fairly smooth concrete sidewalk.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use it either, especially when an edge is already chipped.

Carbide sharpeners can really mess up a blade (such as...chipping the edge) if you aren't careful, and when there is already a chip in the blade it can actually get worse. It varies with the type of steel used. I don't know if s30v might react better than other steels, but I wouldn't try it on a big expensive knife.

Go to a local hardware or home improvement store and get something that looks like this:

http://outdoor-living.hardwarestore.com/56-325-knife-accessories/silicon-carbide-oil-stone-677705.aspx
(I know nothing about that specific website, first example I found)

Water is fine, oil is not necessary. The disadvantages of a Silicon Carbide stone over fancier stuff are:
1. Doesn't maintain it's shape as well over time (don't care for major initial grinding)
2. Doesn't usually give as fine of an edge as a high-grit ceramic (you can use your regular sharpener to top it off)

The benefits are they are cheap (less than $10) and grind steel quickly.

The ceramic end of the pull-through sharpener might be OK, but they tend to clog up fast and leave a small dip where the chip was. A big flat stone takes more work before clogging, and gets rid of dips.
 
I was pressed for time earlier, so I was a bit short. :o

If I had had more time on my lunch break, I would have pointed out those same things, or at least hunted up and linked another thread where they were discussed before.

I have one of those Smith's pull through sharpeners in the bug out bag, as it would be better than nothing at all. I would use it only after wearing out or losing all my DMT Diafolds and Spyderco pocket stones. The carbide cutters tend to break carbides out of the blade steel rather than wearing them down to form a lasting edge.

When I chipped my BG-42 Military, I reprofiled it on my coarse DMT bench hone to remove the chips. It took less than a half-hour, and the blade has needed only minor touch-ups since. If you are not proficient at freehand sharpening, sending the knife in may be the wisest course.
 
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