Sharpening a recurved blade...

[BryFry]

I've been practicing making V edges into convex ones with pretty good results, when I decided to reprofile the edge of a modern styled Kuhkri I quickly realized that the recurved part of the blade was going to be a bit tricky. I thought about it and here is the solution that I came up with:

First I started with a 12" mill bastard file, and useing a slight curving motion I used it to file down the shoulder and get the basic shape of the new edge going. Then I switched to sandpaper, starting with 120 grit, and useing leather as backing, I worked my way up from there sharpening the main part of the blade like you would any other knife.

As for the recurved portion of the blade I used an emty can of Pringles, ( the cylindrical chip container) I simply taped sand paper along the side of the can, changing to finer grits as I went along, and finished with leather and buffing compound held to the curved side of the can.

Here is a before:

And after ...hope you can make it out ok...

Probably not the most sophisticated method but it worked for me. Maybe it could work for you guys too. Hope this helps.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Personally I would have wrapped the sandpaper around a bottle of Wild Turkey, but you've got the right idea. For something soft I would go with PVC pipe.

 

[BryFry]

Personally I would have wrapped the sandpaper around a bottle of Wild Turkey, but you've got the right idea. For something soft I would go with PVC pipe.

Ha, Wild Turkey, Nice!

Maybe a stupid question but, how is PVC softer than a cardboard can? I do figure that anything cylindrical would work, I just happened to have a Pringles can at hand so it was free as aposed to going out and buying something fancy to use as a sharpener.

 

[Jeff Clark]

First of all I never have Pringles cans on hand, but I do have PVC pipe. PVC is not softer than a Pringles tube. I would expect it to be more uniform and stable. A Pringles can is subject to denting or bucking under pressure. Personally I go for a very flat convex edge. If your substrate is too soft the final edge can get a bit rounded.

I'm mostly just kicking ideas around. A full beer can might have advantages.

 

[richard j]

bryfry, it looks like the pringle can worked just fine. its a good idea which i have used before just playing around.

 

[udtjim]

I have done a couple of mine with the belt sander but for me, it was awkward as hell.

Can't wait to see that BK-7 richard j

 

[Dog of War]

Personally I would have wrapped the sandpaper around a bottle of Wild Turkey, but you've got the right idea. For something soft I would go with PVC pipe.

I'm mostly just kicking ideas around. A full beer can might have advantages.

I'm starting the think you approach sharpening the way I do.

.