questions on a convex grind

[RescueRiley]

just want to clarify, my understanding is that in general a quality knife with a convex grind can be maintained primarily through stropping... however if damage is incurred it might require stropping with an abrasive on a flexible surface ie: mousepad..is this correct... I'm awaiting the arrival of my fallkniven and just waqnt to be sure of the best ways to care for the edge.

 

[Allan Molstad]

I would think that if a knife has a chip out of the edge that you will need to use some type of stone of sander to work out the chip.

 

[pitdog]

http://home.nycap.rr.com/sosak/convex.htm

 

[GibsonFan]

Yeah, what Allan said. Otherwise you're right, RR. Remember, the best way to sharpen is not very much. By that I mean, maintaining the edge with your strop and mousepad/fine sandpaper* before it gets really dull, is a lot easier and better than waiting til it's like a butter knife The link pitdog posted is excellent. Thanks bud! I changed computers and lost some of my bookmarks, I will re-read that one again to refresh my brain.

* you probably already know this, but don't buy el cheapo paper. I use 3M wet/dry that's meant for autobody work, for my mousepad and for hand-rubbing. It's very consistent. The cheap stuff is not, it will leave ugly scratches and stuff

 

[Yoshi]

In the field you can use your trousers to maintain the edge, as if they were a strop, I find that works quite well, at home I use the mouse pad method.

 

[pitdog]

In the field you can use your trousers to maintain the edge, as if they were a strop, I find that works quite well, at home I use the mouse pad method.

I use the stubble on my chin, but that can sometimes chip the blades !!!

 

[Gossman Knives]

Stropping will work for awhile but you will eventually have to use something more abrasive. I use a Eze-Lap diamond rod at home or in the field. The one that screws out of it's brass handle. Most of the time at home I use the slack belt on my grinder.
Scott

 

[Foilist]

Let me preface this by confessing that I am the worst sharpener ever.

But, I had fantastic results when I sharpened my convex Mini Canadian recently. I had banged up the edge accidentally on a stone hearth while whittling some kindling.

Following the convex sharpening tutorial on the Bark River site, I used some 1000 and then 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper (from an auto supply store) backed with some thick cardboard stapled to a 2x4. With a stropping motion, I did about a dozen strokes on the 1000, then a dozen more on the 2000, and then I finished it on just the cardboard with some automotive rubbing compound smeared on.

The blade is as sharp as when it was new (maybe sharper?), and I have never had an easier time trying to sharpen a knife.

 

[cgd160]

For convex blades, a ceramic rod works great for straighting the edge.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

just want to clarify, my understanding is that in general a quality knife with a convex grind can be maintained primarily through stropping.

Stropping just means sharpening by edge trailing, there is no connection between the type of bevel and how you use the knife on the stone, leading/trailing.

-Cliff