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Sharpening advice

T

TM98

Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Messages
31
I am in need of some type of sharpener. I almost always have a knife on me but I don't like to use them because of dulling the blade. Unless it's a cheaper knife and then I have used a carbee-sharp carbide sharpener to put an edge back on. Especially here lately since I have bought some more expensive knives. When I was younger I didn't really care because they were cheaper knives and I used them for stripping wire or whatever I needed it for. I have quite a few knives and I don't really have any good way of getting a good sharp edge. I have used in the past a ceramic rod to put an decent edge on some of the blades but not a good sharp edge.
So I would like to get a good sharpening set or stones. I have looked at the sharpmaker, lansky, WE, KME, and others but don't know what would be best to start off being newer to sharpening. I don't want to spend a ton of money on it but I want something that will do a good job.
 
Sharpmaker does a good job for a relatively low price. The diamond rods make a nice addition also.
 
Whatever system you get make sure to get a strop
it will help maintain the edge without needing to re sharpen all the time
so the knife last longer
I use a lansky to sharpen my blades
It works well
If the edge needs a lot of work my homie works it out on a wicked edge which makes it so sharp that
If you cut yourself you won't feel it
 
TM98 said:
I am in need of some type of sharpener. I almost always have a knife on me but I don't like to use them because of dulling the blade. Unless it's a cheaper knife and then I have used a carbee-sharp carbide sharpener to put an edge back on. Especially here lately since I have bought some more expensive knives. When I was younger I didn't really care because they were cheaper knives and I used them for stripping wire or whatever I needed it for. I have quite a few knives and I don't really have any good way of getting a good sharp edge. I have used in the past a ceramic rod to put an decent edge on some of the blades but not a good sharp edge.
So I would like to get a good sharpening set or stones. I have looked at the sharpmaker, lansky, WE, KME, and others but don't know what would be best to start off being newer to sharpening. I don't want to spend a ton of money on it but I want something that will do a good job.
Click to expand...

This set up works well for me.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsLaTtrSEj0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 
There are dozens of guided stick sharpener (like the Sharpmaker) that all work. My first good sharpener was the Sharpmaker and I don't regret it for a second. Just spend some time to get accustomed to it and look up some tutorials (YouTube has tons of videos showing tips and tricks) and start sharpening. Alternatively, if you like taking risks, you could buy a 1x30 belt sander and some belts for about the same price as the Sharpmaker and have a massive assortment of grits. I warn you, though, the belt sander is not easy to use or learn, but once you learn it you can get a knife from no edge to scalpel in about 30 minutes tops. Powered sharpening makes insanely quick work of tough sharpening.
 
My advice is to get a stone, not a system. Learn to do it by hand right from the start. Just buy a Norton Fine India of decent size and start working with it. A fine india will give great results all by itself but as you become more proficient you can add courser and finer stones as well. The india will last a very long time without needing to be flattened.

Getting a strop is a good idea as well. If you get a paddle strop and load it with some white compound you can take your sharp knife to the next level very easy.
 
Favorite Blade said:
My advice is to get a stone, not a system. Learn to do it by hand right from the start. Just buy a Norton Fine India of decent size and start working with it. A fine india will give great results all by itself but as you become more proficient you can add courser and finer stones as well. The india will last a very long time without needing to be flattened.

Getting a strop is a good idea as well. If you get a paddle strop and load it with some white compound you can take your sharp knife to the next level very easy.
Click to expand...

Yup. Learn the muscle memory of holding a consistent angle against an abrasive surface and you'll be able to sharpen with just about anything. It's the most versatile method and often the least expensive.
 
TM98 said:
Ok what about getting one of the dmt combo stones?
Click to expand...

DTM Dia Sharp stones are great cutters. I recommend getting the coarse and extra fine in the 6" stones as long as you are just grinding EDC blades and not long cutting tools. The price is right at around $30 a piece. The combo stones do not come in that configuration. For me and others the fine stone is not needed.
 
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After Dia Sharp I finish with spyderco ceramic ultra fine / strop with or without compound.
 
Bludgeon said:
DTM Dia Sharp stones are great cutters. I recommend getting the coarse and fine in, the 6" stones as long as you are just grinding EDC blades and not long cutting tools. The price is right at around $30 a piece. The combo stones do not come in that configuration. For me and others the fine stone is not needed.
Click to expand...

Are you meaning the coarse and extra fine stones?
 
What would be the order on coarsest to finest of the Norton India coarse/fine stone and the DMT coarse, fine, and extra fine stones?
 
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Hey there I am in the exact same boat my friend! I have always been into knives, most cheap ones and didn't care when I was younger, I'm now starting a nice lil collection just got a Yojimbo 2 today and I really want to get into sharpening..i am looking at the DMT credit card sized set, I may just get the course and extra fine 6 inch stones, just can't decide but I think DMT diamond I'd the route I should go with these D2 and S30V knIves I have
 
JJagger, looks like Amazon prime has some decent prices. I could find them cheaper other places but the shipping was what made it higher than going with Amazon.
 
I started with a Lansky system then moved to a DMT Aligner system when I got blades in hard steels (S35, D2, M390). Both work well.

I now mostly use a DMT 6" Double-sided Continuous stone in Coarse/Fine.

I made my own strops out of poplar and maple from big box store and veg-tanned leather from Hobby Lobby for cheap. I use Green compound and DMT DiaPaste.
 
TM98 said:
JJagger, looks like Amazon prime has some decent prices. I could find them cheaper other places but the shipping was what made it higher than going with Amazon.
Click to expand...

Go to your nearest Home Depot or Lowes, and buy the Norton Economy stone and practice on some cheaper knives. The Norton stone will give you a razor edge with a little stropping after, and will give you priceless lessons on sharpening free hand.

I am just north of Washington D.C., and I can show you how to sharpen if we meet up someplace. Knife sharpening is easier than you think if you can just see someone do it. I just use a silica stone, sometimes a DMT diamond, and a strop.
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i posted in another thread. post #14. check it out http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1268237-Sharpmaker-vs-Lansky

i will add that if you have really dull knives that need to be reprofiled the sharpmaker isn't going to be your best choice. a decent medium grit stone should make that job easier imho. after u get the hang of it freehand it's going to allow you more flexibility/options
in sharpening you knives.

you have already evolved to thinking about your knives in a more practical way concerning sharpening. might as well extend yourself a little more imho. you'll be quite happy that you took the time to do so. I'm even thinking of sharpening knives for other folks already lol.
 
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