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tuffluv

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Feb 24, 2015
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Why does it seems like talking about sharpening is more confusing than actually sharpening?

I'm trying to learn freehand sharpening and just when I think I'm understanding the terminology and process, I read another post and get confused.

I never would have believed that simply making two sides of a piece of metal meet at an apex could be made so complicated by metal types, grit ranges, sharpening systems, and freehand styles.
 
It's not complicated....

The thing is everyone has a unique technique that is slightly different from the next guy.

I suggest that you stop reading, grab a 600 grit stone and a sharpie and practice.

It's a good idea to watch some people's techniques on YouTube to give you a good basis for what you are trying to do...
Pay attention, especially to the amount of pressure being used, and how hitting the apex consistently is achieved.
Watch a few vids. just to see the subtlley different methods..

Make sure to check that you are hitting the edge often (sharpie should be wearing off obviously)
Make sure you mark the edge by running the sharpie along the cutting edge not the side (shoulders)

Patience and practice. At some point you need to stop reading and start doing it. Don't expect to be a champ in an hour or a day!!
 
All good.

Don't get too caught up in different grits right now...

I imagine that you just want to put a really good edge back on a dull knife?!

600 Grit will do that from start to finish.

Just sit down and practice.....

Light pressure, focus on your technique, make sure that you're hitting that edge (Sharpie for now)

Couple of tips:

Don't pull the tip off the stone (you will round it)
Start at the ricasso and work towards the tip, and make sure (unless you have a Wharncliff) to compensate for the angle change as you move from the flat through the belly and towards the tip....just watch a few vids, and you'll get what I mean.

Remember to breathe!!
 
tuffluv said:
Why does it seems like talking about sharpening is more confusing than actually sharpening?

I'm trying to learn freehand sharpening and just when I think I'm understanding the terminology and process, I read another post and get confused.

I never would have believed that simply making two sides of a piece of metal meet at an apex could be made so complicated by metal types, grit ranges, sharpening systems, and freehand styles.
Click to expand...

The basic premise of sharpening isn't complicated: it literally is just about grinding two sides of the edge to make them meet in a thin-as-possible crisp intersection. The 'complication' comes if one starts trying to apply the specific attributes of one sharpening experience (behavior of the blade steel, grind geometry, blade size & thickness, tools used, etc) to each and every knife that follows, and finding the same result doesn't happen when attempted with the same exact effort, methods and tools. The classic example of this, to me, is the question sometimes asked here on the forum, which goes something like, "Why does THIS knife take so much longer to sharpen than this OTHER knife which sharpened up after only 'x' number of passes per side?" The answer usually is, the steel type is different (much more wear-resistant), or the blade is a different size/thickness/hardness, or the condition of the edge was much worse, or the edge geometry is wider in angle/thicker behind the edge, and on & on. Other complications come from not understanding what it takes to simply make a 'sharp' edge vs what it takes to produce a mirror-polished 'sharp' edge (that comes down to grit progression and understanding which abrasive types & sizes will do that the best on the steel type being polished & sharpened).

Bottom line: it doesn't have to be complicated, but it can be if you make it so. This isn't to say there's no value or purpose in complicating things, because excellent and beautiful results can come from such 'complicated' approaches in skilled hands. But if a simply 'sharp' edge is what you're after, it can and should always be done by the simplest possible approach that'll still be effective.


David
 
Good discussion and comments gentlemen.

Keep it simple and don't worry about the minor details. Later as one gets more proficient it all comes together. Of course that takes time and one has to be willing to put in the time. There is no magic bullet.

Much of the YouTube stuff is misleading and or plain silly. On the other side of the coin there are a few good ones. If one goes the way of YouTube take it all in and establish a technique that works for you. As all this stuff is subjective to the individual.
 
The trick is... use your left hand. You can't get a good edge sharpening with your right hand... :D



Stitchawl
 
Yes, good. Agreed, don't take all sharpening advice as accurate. Don't purchase more than ONE combination stone. Which will have a coarse and finer grit. Work with this one stone until you're capable of getting some arm hair shaving edges. And Don't over think it. It's simple stuff, not rocket science. DM
 
David Martin said:
Yes, good. Agreed, don't take all sharpening advice as accurate. Don't purchase more than ONE combination stone. Which will have a coarse and finer grit. Work with this one stone until you're capable of getting some arm hair shaving edges. And Don't over think it. It's simple stuff, not rocket science. DM
Click to expand...

Amen Brother!
 
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