Sharpening a CRK and XM-18

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BmoreJeff

Joined
Nov 24, 2013
Messages
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Hey all, I'm new here and have recently moved into more quality knives. I have a crk 25, large CF 21 insingo, small insingo and a hinderer xm-18. All steels are s35vn. I carry and use each knife and they all are in need of a sharpening. I always had a friend do it before but I want to learn to do myself.

My question is what materials do I need to sharpen s35vn? I don't mind doing it by hand so I don't necessarily need a wicked edge or similar device per say, but I don't know what stone to start with and what I should end with. And I don't know what brands are good. I don't mind spending extra cash for quality stones or other methods.

I have a few junk knifes to practice on so whatever the most recommended method is I familiarize myself with before moving to my better blades. My goal is to go from an edge that tears paper to one that slices like butter.

All opinions are greatly appreciated and thanks in advance
 
HeavyHanded's washboard system is great. It gives a lot of feedback, and produces great results. It will take a little more time than working with diamond plates, but it's much more forgiving. I think it would really speed up your learning process.
 
I hear mixed opinions about diamond stones. I'm very confident that I could do it by hand and hear that a lot of people like this method. If I went that route what stone would I start with, then the next, then the next and so on til I get a razor edge. Or let me ask what do you use???
 
BmoreJeff said:
I hear mixed opinions about diamond stones. I'm very confident that I could do it by hand and hear that a lot of people like this method. If I went that route what stone would I start with, then the next, then the next and so on til I get a razor edge. Or let me ask what do you use???
Click to expand...

If you were going the diamond route:

DMT extra coarse, DMT fine, followed by Spyderco medium and fine stones if you want a finer finish. I would advise against the DMT extra fine stones.

S35VN is not a difficult steel to sharpen and seems to take a high polish easily. I have reprofiled in CRK Umnumzaan on a Norton India, so diamonds might not be necessary. Diamonds will make it quicker and give more visual feedback, though.
 
+1 for diamonds stones with the spyderco stones. And +1 for HeavyHanded's washboard kit. It will help you learn how to faster :)
 
Extra coarse? Wow, I don't use that unless it's a really messed up knife.

And why do you not recommend the EF and EEF stones?
 
I just reprofiled my Sebenza to 18DPS.

DMT 6" plates XC>C>F>EF
Spyderco Fine>UF
Leather strop w/ green and white
Denim strop with white and 1micron paste

 
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