sharpening a sak by hand

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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any suggestions... I have a 600 grit diamond plate was just going to try and cut pretend slices off the top of the stone...and than strop on loaded leather...should I take as accute an angle as possible? also any sure fire teste to tell if you blade is sharpe enough??? I usually put it to the shaving test but my arms and legs are developng some decent bald spots...and at what point do you dedide it's time to ake a stone to a blade...I usually give a few passes on a loadd strop every time it sees som real use (anything other thatn cutting an apple or opening the odd package.
 
To be honest, a few runs over a pocket stone, or 600 Grit and higher. If it bites into my nail, slices paper well Im good to go. (plus I hate having bald spots on my legs, sure my girlfriends the only one to see them, but she can make fun the worst)
 
My method isn't really any better or worse, but here it is. I set a bevel on a DMT diamond stone, going roughly twice as acute as the factory edge and convexing the shoulders of the bevel. Then use higher grits of sandpaper, then a strop. For touch-ups I usually use a loaded leather strop, or if it needs a little more than that I'll run it over a steel or fine ceramic rod for a few passes then strop. SAKs have soft steel so it doesn't take much to bring their edge back.
 
My left and right arms look like they ought to belong to different people with how little hair I have on the left. ;)
 
For touchups, I use an old Lansky ceramic hone that was for serrated edges. I pulled it out of the hoder and use it freehand. Or I use a Spyderco Double Stuff.

Mike
 
RescueRiley said:
yeah I hear that... I look like I've been expsed to gamma rays I have so many bald spots..
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You could take a picture of my arms and put it in "radio active monthly";)

I use a mouse pad block and sand paper to convex the secondary edge. Strop with charged leather for a serrated edge with no burr. Works well and hold up for a long time.
 
The thin blades on the SAKs sharpen down fast. Take it pretty easy or you may find yourself reshaping a blade. One of my SAKs has a small blade that approaches a wharny in shape when I got too enthusiastic on a coarse stone. I've found that just a few passes are all it takes at each grit. They strop really well.

Gordon
 
gaj999 said:
The thin blades on the SAKs sharpen down fast. Take it pretty easy or you may find yourself reshaping a blade.
Gordon
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Agreed. To take care of that I have (twice) thinned down the edge by laying it flat on my water stones until the secondary edge is almost gone. This can combat the thickening of the secondary edge. Yes your blade will be scratched, but it's needed if you use it often.

knivesandaxe001.jpg
 
I havn't messed with charged strops, or waterstones, but am thinking of picking up some paste and giving the strop a go. I have had some success with using the ol' mouse pad and 600-1500 grit paper.

If the edge catches my thumbnail and slices paper easily, I'm satisfied that it's sharp enough.
 
Vivi said:
My left and right arms look like they ought to belong to different people with how little hair I have on the left. ;)
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My arms and legs are totally bare and my girlfriend is starting to wonder about the bald spots on the cats! :eek:;)





Just kidding. :p Sorry Riley, I don't have any more or better advice to give than what's already been posted, I just couldn't resist throwing that in. :)
 
Salamander42 said:
My arms and legs are totally bare and my girlfriend is starting to wonder about the bald spots on the cats! :eek:;)
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Mon Dieu! Finally a use for a cat!:eek:

I remember, years ago, reading in a novel that those bald spots were "knife fighters mange". Apparently it's a common method of testing for sharpness. I know I do it.

Doc
 
RescueRiley said:
THanks guys... LB you you got me thinking obout that 1ht
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RR, if you go with the civilian version with black scales, you'll get the pic and tweezers, which the GAK doesn't have and it will probably save you a few bucks to go that way as well.
 
Salamander42 said:
My arms and legs are totally bare and my girlfriend is starting to wonder about the bald spots on the cats.
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I can't catch our manx moe to try the shaving test on him. Ever since I shot a squirrel in front of him with a broadhead tipped arrow, he dives for cover whenever I break out a sharp edged tool. :D
 
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