Sharpening Advice

Boxer .45

Boxer .45

Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
2,575
I'm sure there's a thread and I couldn't find a specific section.

I've always been a little dull ;) when it comes to sharpening. Some knives I do okay with and get them sharp, but I am trying to learn to be better.

I notice all of the time that some of you are really good and some even have a mirror looking finish to them. I would love to know the secret if anyone is willing to share. I'm sure you have to keep the angle almost perfect to get it that good.

Please help.
 
Boxer .45 said:
Thanks, I'll check it out. Anything specific on the mirror polish?
Click to expand...

There are lots of routes to the end goal of a mirror polish. You can do it freehand (with the right stones), on a belt grinder (with the right stones), or on a fixed-angle system like the EdgePro, the Wicked Edge, or the KME (again with, you guessed it, the right stones).

I've done freehand and now use a wicked edge almost exclusively.

Regardless though, there aren't really any shortcuts, you gotta pay for the right gear to get the results.
 
I am not into mirror polishing, but there are a number of threads in that forum that discuss it.

Some people free-hand, others used guided systems like Wicked Edge and EdgePro. In all cases, they go through a progression of finer and finer abrasives to get to the mirror finish.
 
Grit size and time will get you a polish.

Mark the edge with a sharpie and make sure are going low enough in grit size to make a new edge and get rid of the sharpie.

Once you are cutting with your coarse edge you have done most of the work.
 
halden.doerge said:
There are lots of routes to the end goal of a mirror polish. You can do it freehand (with the right stones), on a belt grinder (with the right stones), or on a fixed-angle system like the EdgePro, the Wicked Edge, or the KME (again with, you guessed it, the right stones).

I've done freehand and now use a wicked edge almost exclusively.

Regardless though, there aren't really any shortcuts, you gotta pay for the right gear to get the results.
Click to expand...

So true +1
 
Wasn't sure what the wicked edge was, googled. Looks really nice, but looks like it's only good for small knives, (towards the end of the video). Can one really do 7-8 inches on it?

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qbtayjbfFXg[/video]
 
spykez said:
Wasn't sure what the wicked edge was, googled. Looks really nice, but looks like it's only good for small knives, (towards the end of the video). Can one really do 7-8 inches on it?

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qbtayjbfFXg[/video]
Click to expand...

Looks like you could but you'd have to move the blade.
 
I did machetes on my wicked edge. About 18" blade. Using a 1x42 belt sander now but may buy another wicked edge. You can get a 1x30 harbor freight belt sander and belts from 200 grit to 1200 and a leather belt with green compound and get great results for less than $150.
 
spykez said:
Wasn't sure what the wicked edge was, googled. Looks really nice, but looks like it's only good for small knives, (towards the end of the video). Can one really do 7-8 inches on it?

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qbtayjbfFXg[/video]
Click to expand...

Yes, with the longer arms on the pro package anyway. I've done a few Becker BK-9s on the Wicked Edge.
 
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