Sharpening advice for a newbie

IMO, start out with a guided system, something like a Sharpmaker or KME to get the feel for what you're doing. Then if you're confident enough, move to free hand. There's advantages/disadvantages with any sharpening method. Find the one that is meant for you.
You can fall deep in the rabbit hole with the options available, so be mindful of that and get the best bang for the buck since you're just starting out. Once you decide on what you want, there's plenty of help here on BFC to help you along the way.
Good luck and make it enjoyable for you.
 
A local hardware/kitchen supply store near me does knife sharpening, $5.99 a knife, they use an electric pull though like a Chef's Choice although it seems more like a commercial unit. Watching the guy sharpening he seemed to spend about 5 minutes on a knife before moving on and the results were good as he let me look at the bevel. Between the price and results it's probably the most practical sharpening solution for both them and the average customer that just wants their knives sharpened. At another spot there was a women that set up a sharpening table and she charged $15 a knife doing freehand with DMT bench stones (coarse & extra fine). Talking to her she told me it took her a while to get where she was with consistent results and she scratched up lots of knives along the way.
 
P_A_S_1 said:
A local hardware/kitchen supply store near me does knife sharpening, $5.99 a knife, they use an electric pull though like a Chef's Choice although it seems more like a commercial unit. Watching the guy sharpening he seemed to spend about 5 minutes on a knife before moving on and the results were good as he let me look at the bevel. Between the price and results it's probably the most practical sharpening solution for both them and the average customer that just wants their knives sharpened.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't let that guy touch my enemy's knife, let alone mine. I don't even let The House of Blades sharpen a knife that I bought from them even though they offer free lifetime sharpening. Nobody is using a pull-through or a dry belt on one of my knives.
 
000Robert said:
I wouldn't let that guy touch my enemy's knife, let alone mine. I don't even let The House of Blades sharpen a knife that I bought from them even though they offer free lifetime sharpening. Nobody is using a pull-through or a dry belt on one of my knives.
Click to expand...
Me too but most will.
 
P_A_S_1 said:
A local hardware/kitchen supply store near me does knife sharpening, $5.99 a knife, they use an electric pull though like a Chef's Choice although it seems more like a commercial unit.
Click to expand...
Might be an F. Dick machine. Yeah, that's the name of the company. :) Those units (pun intended) cost around $1,000 and have a pretty good rep. I wouldn't use one myself.
 
It's pretty simple in theory. Your just making two straight lines that meet at a point. Even if your angles are off a bit your knife can be extremley sharp. I'd encourage you to buy some cheap gear and learn to sharpen by hand. Even with a sharpening system you still need to understand the process of sharpening a knife. With a DMT fine stone and some basic stropping compound you can achieve shave sharp easily and even split hair. This is all I use.

20220621_183450.jpg
20220621_183519.jpg
 
MolokaiRider said:
There is a local burger joint where I witnessed the owner using a angle grinder taped to his pickup bed, then going to town on thirty or so knives. No eye protection and the trigger was rubber-banded on.

I politely asked him "Isn't that kinda dangerous?"
Click to expand...
Danger is not the same for everybody. My neighbor’s kid jumps his dirt bike off a ramp that launches him 25 feet in the air, and lands it safely every time. I couldn’t do that once without crumpling myself into smoking wreckage.

I put my hands into his electrical panel to torque the lugs and change breakers. He shouldn’t be doing that.

Just a matter of which risks you choose to accept, given your own unique experiences.

Parker
 
Sharpness depends on your skill, not stone.

You can get any knife sharp with a decent stone, as long as you have the skill. I recommend buying your self the cheapest knife you can find, for me it was a Thailand Kiwi pairing knife, cost about $2, and a $3 unbranded stone. I practiced and practiced and practiced, the paring knife turns into a fillet knife now, and the stone has a big 2mm bow on it. I've upgraded to better and more expensive stone, but when I visit a friend or family member, and they have a cheap stone but they don't know how to use it, I can help get all their knives sharp, because it's the skill, not the stone.
 
Hi DD581

There was a guy who back in the 80's invented a safe, easy to use sharpener. He and his wife travelled around the countryside selling it, and his knives, at fairs, gun shows, etc. Here are four educational videos that he made that speak to how to sharpen and what his sharpener looks like and how it works. It does everything a knife owner needs in my humble opinion.

Enjoy!




 
Last edited:
catspa said:
Danger is not the same for everybody. My neighbor’s kid jumps his dirt bike off a ramp that launches him 25 feet in the air, and lands it safely every time. I couldn’t do that once without crumpling myself into smoking wreckage.
Click to expand...
I remember back when all my body parts were still under warranty.
 
Agreed, but describes the geometry less accurately. Most people will want to produce a somewhat uniform angle along the length of the edge. A guided system, or a stone with lots of surface area can accomplish that readily. A rod or stick like the Sharpmaker requires the operator to hold a uniform angle manually. A recent thread discussed using a Dremel tool to sharpen knives, even more demanding of a steady hand.

I guess two lines meeting at a point is one step more simplified than I prefer. No big deal though, I took your point to say that keen edges can be gained with simple and inexpensive gear (to which I agree 100%).

Parker
 
Just get some thin metal and practice edge angles and sharpen mower blades.
When I was a kid maybe 7-8 years old I started practicing with using files and sand paper then graduated to whetstone’s on some old knives. By the time I was 13 I had people bringing me their knives and shears for sharpening. It just takes practice and patient. And a good eye!
 
I really appreciate all of the replies. It seems to me that maybe I should just stick with sharpening for personal use and maybe once I'm decent, help friends out. Anyway, obviously a lot to think about. Can't tell y'all how much I appreciate the input. Knowing me, I'll just give up and find someone on here that'll sharpen 'em for me (of course at a price!) Thanks again everyone! Be safe out there
 
dvldog5811 said:
I really appreciate all of the replies. It seems to me that maybe I should just stick with sharpening for personal use and maybe once I'm decent, help friends out. Anyway, obviously a lot to think about. Can't tell y'all how much I appreciate the input. Knowing me, I'll just give up and find someone on here that'll sharpen 'em for me (of course at a price!) Thanks again everyone! Be safe out there
Click to expand...

You'll be missing out on the great feeling of knowing that you put that sharp edge on your knives.
 
catspa said:
Respectfully, MrStabby7, two straight planes that intersect at a line.

Parker
Click to expand...
This is correct, although you just need to say "two planes" not straight planes. The cross section of two intersecting planes is lines and a point which is how different types of grinds are often visualized, so both points of view can be useful.
View attachment 1878804
 
dvldog5811 said:
Knowing me, I'll just give up and find someone on here that'll sharpen 'em for me (of course at a price!) Thanks again everyone! Be safe out there
Click to expand...
Don't give up, the satisfaction you get from putting a sharp edge on your knives is so satisfying. It takes time to master it, with plenty of practice, but it is worth it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top