Sharpening a recurved Busse

[mfaster7]

I am loving the Marco Bolo but I wanted to convex the edge a bit. I decided to use a strop. I know how long it takes but when I am done I will haave a mirror edge with a bit of a convex shape. THe recurve is hard to work with. First I noticed that the edge was not getting sharper. I tried using the edge of the triangle ceramics with the sharpmaker. That worked but I really did not wiish to remove steel or mmake a v edge. I switched to a round ceramic rod from my edge pro. I stroke away from the edge like a strop. Now between the ceramic and a strop loaded with green compound I am getting a good edge. I like using a loom strop. Being able to adjust the tension is a real advantage. I find sharpening counter intuitive. I cannot get my mind around the fact that the softer I strop the knife the sharper it gets. Use too much force and the edge dulls. I'd have thought the opposite. My daughter says it is my boorish masculine self. Anyway, the MArco Bolo is an awesome knife. When I finish a sheath and polish the edge I will post some pics. I was wondering if anyone had any luck using other methods like a steel.

The knife is far from finished

 

[richstag]

That is great.

I have found that sharpening a recurved blade I get best result with first a diamond rod/ceramic rod, followed by using the side/corner/edge of the strop (not the flat top).

Looks great!

 

[1Tracker]

mfaster7 I would like to know where you got that ceramic rod with the small black grip? Looking to buy one or a couple in different lengths, that appears to be a foot long.

 

[tomthebaker]

I sharpen recurves on the pointy end of an anvil topped with leather. It's very stable, and allows me to get the most vicious recurve (like a khukri) razor sharp.

 

[Deadhead Archer]

mfaster7 I would like to know where you got that ceramic rod with the small black grip? Looking to buy one or a couple in different lengths, that appears to be a foot long.

It comes with the Edge Pro sharpener. They might sell it separately, you'd have to check.

 

[mfaster7]

mfaster7 I would like to know where you got that ceramic rod with the small black grip? Looking to buy one or a couple in different lengths, that appears to be a foot long.

That rod came with the apex edge pro. It is actually 9 inches and I would have to look up the grit but I'd say it is pretty fine. It is 1200 grit.

 

[dante]

Regarding the rods he sells that one and a larger one in the Edge Pro site. I have several for years now and I highly recommend them in addition to the most excellent Edge Pro system. The large one has a wood handle and is like 10-12" probably the sharpening item i use the most.

 

[mfaster7]

Regarding the rods he sells that one and a larger one in the Edge Pro site. I have several for years now and I highly recommend them in addition to the most excellent Edge Pro system. The large one has a wood handle and is like 10-12" probably the sharpening item i use the most.

Yea those rods are great. I am about to order the larger one

 

[Bigfattyt]

the reason for pushing harder on a strop making the edge duller is because if you push harder, the soft leather actually wraps up the edge and dulls the leading edge.

 

[mfaster7]

the reason for pushing harder on a strop making the edge duller is because if you push harder, the soft leather actually wraps up the edge and dulls the leading edge.

Yes exactly. But it also holds true when using a stone or ceramic rod. It is the light touch that gets the keen edge. I find that using the edge of the strop works really well with a loom strop. It holds the leather in place and is great for recurves.

 

[Josh K]

Yes exactly. But it also holds true when using a stone or ceramic rod. It is the light touch that gets the keen edge. I find that using the edge of the strop works really well with a loom strop. It holds the leather in place and is great for recurves.

Does it really do the same on ceramic rods?? I always "kiss" the sharpmaker rods with my knives, putting barely any pressure on them at all, and it works, but I guess I just never thought that too much pressure would dull it.

 

[Last Visible Canary]

Does it really do the same on ceramic rods?? I always "kiss" the sharpmaker rods with my knives, putting barely any pressure on them at all, and it works, but I guess I just never thought that too much pressure would dull it.

the harder you push on a stone, the deeper the gouge marks it makes at it strips metal away from the knife.

when you sand, you sand first with firm pressure, and then with light pressure to remove the heavier grit pattern. by doing that, you can make a 220 grit look like a harsh 320 grit, making the transition between grits easier, and reducing the amount of remaining scratches when you get into the higher grits like 2000+.

heavy pressure won't dull the edge, at worst when using a ceramic rod, it will create a burr and leave a scratchier edge then the grit your rod is at is capable of.

Leather strops will dull an edge with heavy pressure, but that's because the leather curls around the blade edge, creating a rounded microbevel at the cutting edge.

 

[mfaster7]

Does it really do the same on ceramic rods?? I always "kiss" the sharpmaker rods with my knives, putting barely any pressure on them at all, and it works, but I guess I just never thought that too much pressure would dull it.

I did not mean that ceramics would dull the edge with heavier pressure. I just meant that a light touch is important with rods as well as with strops :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[DowntownDM]

I'm -really- liking the Marco Bolo, wish I'd have gotten one. Congrats...

Great info regarding sharpening too, you guys are awesome around here.

 

[1Tracker]

Thanks guys for the lead on the ceramic sticks, going to order both sizes for all my knives. In the kitchen I like to whiz my knives before and after use so I start with a fresh edge.