- Joined
- May 18, 2011
- Messages
- 1,476
I have slowly begun to understand the art of freehand sharpening via the use of good 'ol, inexpensive sandpaper. I can get almost shaving sharp edges without too much of an issue 
. Though this may be, I wish to take it farther. One thing that is inhibiting my ability to sharpen properly is my inability to keep the sandpaper stagnant while I sharpen. Sometimes the paper will slip, and the edge hits the sandpaper, destroying my edge :grumpy:
Is there any method of keeping the sandpaper still while I sharpen other than the glass trick? Would it be wise to cut up a 2x4 and staple the sheets to the pieces for makeshift bench stones? Find a sheet of rubber? I have heard of people wetting the paper and putting it on glass, but I do not have a pane at my disposal at the moment.
Secondly, I am planning to fully convex my BK2, but I do not with to mess up the edge when I am beginning at the lower grits. How much pressure is too much for these lower grits? I would think that moderate pressure is best as to let the paper do the work, but I know that the impatient gene that comes from my father's side of the family may take over and I may push too hard on the paper and destroy the edge
To help you understand what I do, in case you need to know, here is how I would do things: one hand, of course, on the handle and my three fingers on the other hand resting on the blade itself using moderate pressure in either a forward and backward motion or a circular motion depending on the blade. I found that when I do this, I receive better results than using the mouse pad method (I end up convexing everything).
I use grits from 80, 100, 220, 400, 600, 1000, 2000, and my strop with BRKT green compound respectively.
Are these grit gaps too big? Should I fill in some of them? (getting 300, 800 and 1500 grits?)
I am sorry for the lack of adequate organization of my post and the number of questions! I have looked at sharpening threads before, but have never found exactly what I needed. If clarification is needed, do not be afraid to ask!
Thank you for reading guys and gals, I appreciate it.
-Deadfall
. Though this may be, I wish to take it farther. One thing that is inhibiting my ability to sharpen properly is my inability to keep the sandpaper stagnant while I sharpen. Sometimes the paper will slip, and the edge hits the sandpaper, destroying my edge :grumpy:Is there any method of keeping the sandpaper still while I sharpen other than the glass trick? Would it be wise to cut up a 2x4 and staple the sheets to the pieces for makeshift bench stones? Find a sheet of rubber? I have heard of people wetting the paper and putting it on glass, but I do not have a pane at my disposal at the moment.
Secondly, I am planning to fully convex my BK2, but I do not with to mess up the edge when I am beginning at the lower grits. How much pressure is too much for these lower grits? I would think that moderate pressure is best as to let the paper do the work, but I know that the impatient gene that comes from my father's side of the family may take over and I may push too hard on the paper and destroy the edge
To help you understand what I do, in case you need to know, here is how I would do things: one hand, of course, on the handle and my three fingers on the other hand resting on the blade itself using moderate pressure in either a forward and backward motion or a circular motion depending on the blade. I found that when I do this, I receive better results than using the mouse pad method (I end up convexing everything).
I use grits from 80, 100, 220, 400, 600, 1000, 2000, and my strop with BRKT green compound respectively.
Are these grit gaps too big? Should I fill in some of them? (getting 300, 800 and 1500 grits?)
I am sorry for the lack of adequate organization of my post and the number of questions! I have looked at sharpening threads before, but have never found exactly what I needed. If clarification is needed, do not be afraid to ask!
Thank you for reading guys and gals, I appreciate it.
-Deadfall
