razor edge sharpening system and book

[skidmark72]

Has anyone ever used the razor edge sharpening system or read the book. Would you recommend either. Or if you have a better system let me know about it. Ive been using the sharpmaker from spyderco but I know the knives can be sharper. Help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[HeavyHanded]

I am not entirely familiar with it, but have and use the fine hone that comes with the set, and have proven the utility and speed of honing with a smooth steel. The creator of the system is renowned for speed and is easy to see why. I myself do not use this method, but mostly because I cannot control the types of steel I am working with (is problematic with high carbide content steel), and I am not good at using it reliably for long term maintenance compared to other options.

Member Stitchawl I believe mentioned that he used to use the RE system and got very good results.

The RE site sells 2nds for very low prices and would be a good way to get your feet wet, am not sure if there are any inexpensive options for the book, but I'd want it if I were hoping for the best possible outcome in the shortest time.

You can also look into Murray Carter's Fundamentals of Sharpening - his method and technique is very strong as well and can be adapted to a wide range of sharpening media. Quite a few have gotten strong results using the sharpening block I make, linked through my signature below - PDF of the manual and bunch of videos on the site as well.

Good Luck, ultimately freehand is the way to go whatever method(s) you adopt.

Martin

 

[bgentry]

As I understand the RE "system" it's just stones and two different sizes of clamp on guides. Guides are good and helpful, but I'm not sure how necessary they are. I've never tried a clamp on.

The book "The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening" is a classic. At the time it was written, I don't think there were any other books available on sharpening. Magazine articles would appear from time to time, all with the same bad advice. Reading the book 10 years ago, it offered me *some* insight, but I never got a clear picture, or a real step by step approach from it. It's a neat book, and I'm glad I have it. I just can't give it 2 thumbs up and say everyone should read it.

I think bladeforums is actually a MUCH better sharpening resource. But it's also a medium that didn't exist when Juranitch wrote his book!

HeavyHanded (above) has written a guide that goes with his washboard system that is totally applicable to all types of sharpening media. You could do WAY worse than reading his mini-book. It's quite good actually.

For longer treatments of sharpening, I like both Steve Bottorf's "Sharpening Made Easy" web site, and Chad Ward's sort of book (a very long forum posting). Both are kind of overly long, but they cover a good bit of material. Chad's in particular helped me make a big sharpening breakthrough about 10 years ago, which started me on the journey I'm still on today.

Chad Ward on sharpening
Steve Bottorf, Sharpening Made Easy

I'm indebted to both of those guys and more so to the guys here at bladeforums.

Brian.

 

[David Martin]

I think John Juranitch's book is very good on sharpening and everyone wanting to learn freehand sharpening should have a copy. However, it is not a complete treatise on the subject but is enough to help one get a sharp knife. Couple that with Chad Ward's paper and Steve Bottorf's booklet and you'll be well versed. You'll see tips in all these guys writing that will help in sharpening. Get a couple of John's stones and go to it. And use oil on them. Some of the guys on BladeForums are just too OCD. Just stay with the fundamentals. DM

 

[kelbro]

If anybody is interested, I have a copy of the book that I could be persuaded to part with.

 

[abey67]

I bought the system several years ago and the clamps help set the angle. I graduated from the clamps to freehand sharpening but the guides helped me learn what I needed for freehand work.

 

[stitchawl]

Has anyone ever used the razor edge sharpening system or read the book. Would you recommend either. Or if you have a better system let me know about it. Ive been using the sharpmaker from spyderco but I know the knives can be sharper. Help will be appreciated. Thanks

Member Stitchawl I believe mentioned that he used to use the RE system and got very good results.
Martin

Excellent memory, Martin! Yes, I have the Razor Edge system in my collection, and have used it on and off since 1975! It works. And it works well. It was my introduction to using 'dry' stones, and I have been a proponent of that method (except for Japanese water stones) ever since.

Pros:
Very simple construction, with two screws to set the angles and two to tighten the clamp
Two stones that are used dry. This makes it a very 'clean' sharpening method. No oil or even water to clean up afterwards.
Three different clamps available; large for fixed blades, small for folders, and Broadhead sharpener for those who still use old style broadheads on their arrows.
Very, very fast to use, while still getting excellent results. This is a device you can use to sharpen a knife while not paying close attention. You literally 'scrub' the knife back and forth over the stone quickly, rather than taking slow careful strokes.
Cons:
The clamps ride on the stones as well as the blade, so the clamps do wear down over time
While easy to use on fixed blade knives up to 8", beyond that you need to re-position the clamp to continue. But this is the case with any clamped system.
The stones wear down quickly.

These days I don't drag it out very often, unless I have a Warncliff or Sheepsfoot blade to sharpen. It really sings for those! For a clamped system I prefer the DMT Aligner. The Razor Edge clamp works just as well but the DMT is more easily adjusted.
But back in 1975, when I first saw it, Juranitch was demonstrating his system at a Sporting Goods show in Houston, and I had just bought a 'belt buckle knife' that had a double edged, very thick (1/4") almost triangular shape to it that would be a bear to try to sharpen. When Juranitch offered to sharpen anyone's knife in the crowd, I thought I'd be a wise ass and give him mine. He handed it back in a matter of minutes with two VERY sharp edges on it! That's when I bought the system!

Stitchawl