Send it to Richard J!

TheKallumS

TheKallumS

Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
296
So I posted a thread a while ago about my Westmark small hunter knife. From the curve of the belly to the tip was about as dull as a butter knife. I kept trying to straighten it up, but I could not for the life of me do it. From the guard to the curve, was actually sharp. Wasn't wicked sharp but usable. Quite hard to use just the underbelly skinning. I found his website and email through somebody's signature and after reading through and talking to him, I would give it a shot. I sent it off, we exchanged phone calls and emails, he sent it back, but I screwed up the return address.. After a few more days awaited, I finally received my knife back! I had him convex the edge for longevity and efficiency. This knife is crazy wicked sharp. This convexed edge is razor shaving sharp. I am totally surprised and feel it was extremely worth while and the few dollars! I'm working on posting photos here in a bit! If anybody needs their knife sharpened, send it to this guy. His name is Richard J on these forums! You'll be amazed! Again, thanks Richard!
 
I have never had anyone sharpen anything for me.

But when people ask for professional sharpening, Richard J is always on my list.

Everyone raves about his edges. More important to me, he also really contributes to this forum, I feel.

He has a lot of good advice for people looking for that.

Looking forward to the pictures.

Hopefully you have a nice thin raised strop to keep that convex edge sharp (especially in the re-curve area).
 
I only sent it out because I don't have the equipment to put the edge back on! I have a old rough leather belt and Rich sent me a block of green compound I am going to treat the belt with. I plan on getting a better strop once I can afford it! He has way more advice on knife sharpening than ANYBODY I have EVER talked to or what I have researched! He is the guy to go to. Does amazing work. I am trying to take some photos, with my awful photography skills. haha
 
I've never had a knife sharpened by Richard, but I have talked to him numerous times via phone or email. He's a stand up guy.
 
It's wierd how so many people think paper wheel sharpening is good here. Over at knifeforums it's very frowned upon. There's just a lot bigger tendency to heat up the edge on a paper wheel (for noobs, because of lack of wax). Besides that, a belt sander, which is much more affordable($60 for the sander and belts), gives a convex edge. And that's alot more durable than a convex you would get more the paper wheel unless you used some special technique. In fact, I'm sure that Richard uses a belt sander to give his convex edges. Nothing against richard, just like "running through" the grits rather than polishing grooves.
 
He does his V edges by belts and wheels then his convex edges he does by hand. $1 an inch for v edge, or $2 an inch of a convex edge.
 
42A59576-E62A-4736-9E23-255AC4689B89-15939-000003CEF723D8DE.jpg
 
I just read a long thread on knifeforums on this. The posters had not used the Razor Sharp Edgemaking System, or had given up after a quick try. Others were sure it wouldn't work because it produces a 'fireworks show of sparks' or something like that. Some complained that it requires a dedicated bench grinder (still cheaper than most other systems). One said that he uses a bench grinder every day at work and would never use one on a knife. Others attacked Richard personally. The conclusion of the thread was that the paper wheels should be thrown in the trash... not fit for use.

Guess what? Although I don't know (or have ever spoken to), Richard J., he's not a con-man. I have the RSES and the other popular systems (Edge Pro, Wicked Edge, Lansky, Sharpmaker, etc.). The system does work. I have sharpened lots of knives on mine. I don't produce a shower of sparks. With a light touch and practice, it will produce a very sharp edge. It does require a bit of practice and understanding of edge geometry. It is not like using a grinding wheel from the auto parts store. The knifeforums people say they'd never let anybody use it on their knives. If they were looking over my shoulder while I (or Richard) sharpened, they'd probably say "It's not what I thought it was."

Good sharpening,
Dave
 
Most people have biases based on here-say, innuendos, and false information they heard, read or imagined. A lot of these people are quick to get on someone Else's bandwagon. Especially if they are part of a group (forum) that someone of imagined authority takes a certain stance on. I find that most adamantly negative opinions on something, or method is usually from someone with no real personal experience with said device or method.

It is usually from "my brother, my neighbor, my best friend, etc". I try to take their advice with a grain of salt as they say. Narrow minded people miss out on a lot of good things in their limited lifetime. Their loss, not mine.

Blessings,

Omar
 
You get it from my Sig line?? Guess I need to put it back in there then as he asked me to mention him in my sig so i did, but took it out to link to my active selling thread, If it's helping memebers I'll put it back in and yea Richard is a good guy, He asked me if I was LEO or military and I told him no , As I knew he would of sharpened all my knives for free and I'm not that kind of person.
 
Richard has sharpened numerous knives for me and the results are outstanding! One of the first knives I sent to him he returned it along with a moustache hair taped to paper that he had split down the middle with my knife!! If thats not sharp I dont know what is?!! I actually have a few knives that i ll be sending out to him this week. I will take before and after pictures and post them! RJ is the man!!
 
Richard +2

Paper wheels REALLY work, quickly and efficiently. They can put
an incredibly sharp, polished edge on a blade. I use a Tormek to re-establish
the bevel angles, then go to the paper wheels to refine and polish the
edge. I really don't think you can get a better edge in a reasonable
amount of time.

If you want to spend extra time and do it by hand, then use the Wicked Edge
system. Takes a little longer, but does a superb job. Now, I don't think
that an everyday user blade that will be asked to do all manner of cutting
needs to be done every time on the WE.

But if you're into fine sushi slicing then the WE is you go-to tool.

I've been sharpening blades since I was 12. I'm now 66. Do the math
and count the years of experience. I have a vague idea of what I'm doing.:D

Listen to your hands. They'll tell you when you're doing it correctly.
 
I don't have paper wheels. I convex my edges on a belt sander, and finish them on a strop by hand.


I would not recommend some one just jump on a belt sander and start grinding their knives. You can absolutely ruin your knife in very very short order with a belt sander.



I am sure that I would not trust a newb to sharpen anything on a grinder. It takes practice.


Paper wheels? They are a power tool, which raises the level of damage you can do to yourself and your knife if you don't know how to use it. (Just like a belt grinder).

I have heard from a number of professional knife makers that paper wheels are the bees knees when it comes to putting an edge on your knife with the least amount of fuss.

It is another tool. If you don't know how to use it, it will just be an expensive paper weight.

I don't how to a lot of different equipment. That does not mean the equipment is bad, or won't do what it is designed to do.
 
Good point Bigfattyt. Did you just get a belt grinder and start sharpening knives with it? I have a set of paper wheels that I use, and when I got them, I had zero experience with them. But after sharpening about a dozen cheap China stainless steel butcher knives, and then six good carbon steel knives, I was having great success. Not one of them was ruined, but all of them were push cut phone book paper sharp. Not a long learning process, but a learning process non the less.

Of course I have some sharpening experience from over 65 years of using and hand sharpening knives. I did a lot of research on this forum and watched lots of video's. The paper wheels were the cheapest way for me to get into a system that had a good track record, and a short learning curve. I would love to have a WE for exact or near perfect angle grinds, and mirror finish blades. But I can get a close enough angle grind and a near mirror finish on the wheels for my friends and my use. I have less than $100 invested in sharpening equipment, which is great for someone on a fixed retirement income. Again, it works for me, but maybe it is not for everyone. Since the thread is about Richard J, he has encouraged and coached me along my learning curve, and I have learned a ton of useful knowledge from him. He is the Master of the wheels in my mind.

Blessings,

Omar
 
The main thing I just wonder with powered sharpening (belt sander or paper wheels) is how long the edges last compared to hand sharpening on a stone. And also, what kind of bite do you get from richardj's edges?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top