Sharpening a recurve, what tools?

[Xisix]

I have some small stones that work pretty well for re-curves that aren't tight, like the rajah 2 by cold steel. But I'm not prepared to fix chips or anything else on something like a zt 0350. I've heard about slip stones, and rods, and fixed position machines. I dont care for machines, as I'm pretty successful doing it by hand. What are some tools to look at and buy for doing recurve knives by hand?

 

[TheTourist]

I bought a 1/2 size polishing stone from Ken Schwartz for my Edge Pro. You just work a tad slower with a lighter touch.

 

[Hurrul]

Spyderco Edge pro - the triangle stones can be fitted into the base so that you are using the thin, rounder edge rather than the flat of the stone.

Slips stone work well enough, if you don't mind holding them in one hand and the knife in the other.

I have not practiced this technique much, but you can use one of the long corners on a benchstone, where the side of the stone and the face come together to make an acute, thinner grinding surface that fits into curves easier.

 

[Xisix]

Spyderco Edge pro - the triangle stones can be fitted into the base so that you are using the thin, rounder edge rather than the flat of the stone.

Slips stone work well enough, if you don't mind holding them in one hand and the knife in the other.

I have not practiced this technique much, but you can use one of the long corners on a benchstone, where the side of the stone and the face come together to make an acute, thinner grinding surface that fits into curves easier.

I regularly use a spyderco ultra fine to help with the mirroring and fine edge. I think i'll look into some of the more coarse grits. As for the holding the stone method, thats all i use.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The oval cross-section diamond kitchen 'steels' work very well for more aggressive grinding or repair of damaged edges on recurves.

If you're already comfortable with freehand sharpening, just lay the rod horizontally or diagonally, and draw the edge along the rod. The extra length of these, most of them in the 10" - 12" ballpark, and the oval cross-section, means more abrasive surface is working for you on each pass. So they work pretty fast.

 

[Razor]

I use the sharpmaker with the edge of the stones and it works fine. On the ZT 350 with S30V steel I would use diamond stones.