Sharpening a Battle Rat

B

BladeLugger

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
87
Sorry for post - I know it's been asked a million times, but I can't get my search function to work on this computer....

What does everyone use to sharpen their SR101. I'm a new to this and don't want to get too advanced but I want it sharp...

thanks
 
Currently a coarse/fine hardware store hone I bought for $2 and finish with some work on chromium/aluminium 0.5 micron buffing compound on paper.

-Cliff
 
Until I can afford one of these:

EZ001WS_L.jpg


I use one of these:

sharpen01.jpg


A simple diamond stone mounted on a section of 2x4.
thumbup.gif


:D
 
Thanks for the help guys... I'm a complete newbie at this

Cliff, you're saying most hardware stores will know what I'm talking about when I tell them I'm looking for a hone to sharpen knives?

Joules, where did you pick up that stone? Are there any specifics about the grit(?) of the diamonds?

Thanks again for the info....
 
I use an el cheapo diamond stone that I got at GI Joes for around $15. It gives an angle of 22 degrees from the vertical, which is still much bigger than I need.

FYI, use some scrap metal on this stone when you first get it. The outer layer of the stone is extremely coarse and leaves the edge looking horrible, but will become finer afterward. This system also takes off quite a bit of metal -- there are many better techniques, which I'm too impatient to learn. ;)
 
I use the sandpaper and mousepad method. It took me quite a while to learn how to do it right, but now that I've got the hang of it, it works very well. Keeps the blade sharp and preserves the convex edge.

There are a number of good web sites that describe the method as well as a ton of posts over on Swamp Rat Knife Works in the Rat Chat. Check them out.
 
BladeLugger said:
Cliff, you're saying most hardware stores will know what I'm talking about when I tell them I'm looking for a hone to sharpen knives?
Click to expand...

In general the type of stone isn't critical when you start. As you refine your skills and start pushing past just having the knife slice photocopy paper you will likely look into better stones, but to start pretty much anything can do. The better stones just cut faster and are more even in composition. SR101 grinds really easily, I have sharpened out tip damage on ordinary rocks all the time.

-Cliff
 
Am I right that Cliff, RedEdge77 and 360 did away with the convex edge? Since this question was by a newbie, maybe you guys could tell him (and the rest of us) your reasons for that?

Nice set-up Red
 
I reduced the angle of the edge to a 10 degree shoulder with the edge coming to an apex just under 15 degrees in the last 0.015" edge thickness. I had it at 10/12 but had some deformation on really hard limbing so increased the angle a couple of degrees to prevent it. I sharpen freehand on waterstones and lightly convex the edge using a method similar to Fikes.

-Cliff
 
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