Sharpening an AK47

Steel-Junky

Steel-Junky

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I'm pretty handy with sharpening... I keep most of my blades razor sharp and have even reprofiled and repaired edges on smaller (Under 8") blades. I own a couple Criswell swords and use a lansky kit to sharpen them and it works great... It's hard to freehand such a long blade so that's why I use a kit. Any tips or sugestions on sharpening an AK47? I figure I'll use the Lansky if there are no better ideas. The blade is thin enough to where I think I'll be able to match the angle. All info and help is apprecaited guys.
 
Great question. Others may have better advice or methods but here's what I did. I used the Apex Edge Pro for mine. I had to do the blade in sections which was a bit of a pain but I ended up with a hair shaving end from end to end.

Good luck and let us know what you did and how it turned out. ;)
 
When I use the Lansky... if the angle matches up... I just use two or three clamps and that way I can work my way up the blade. As far as My Criswells go (A2 Tool Steel .25" thick) it makes them RAZOR sharp. But like you... I am always willing to hear a better idea. I have an edge pro and though it's a great machine... I don't like that you can keep the blade stationary. I never really grew to like it much.
 
Sandpaper / mouse pad followed by strop - even if the edge is not a convex, sharpening this way will convex the edge.
 
modified/butchered edgepro :D:D

Picture006-3.jpg


check out the full thread here
http://216.26.177.84/forums/showthread.php?t=552757
 
RedbeAR15 said:
Thanks for the post/link Ted - That is a nice setup you have
Click to expand...

your welcome
still not very good at using the edgepro but at least with it i can always get a good usable edge pretty quick

and using this setup i have lots of room for a drink :D
 
I wonder if a few rag wheels loaded with various grits would be a good idea... followed up by a nice leather wheel with some diamond paste.
 
belt sander and the paper buffing wheel for convex edges are the way to go. ask cjpgeyer, macgregor22 and joebobx about the edge they put on their busse knives.
 
FWIW---Like a Japanese sword, that needs special sharpening---I'd let BCK do the sharpening. Then you'll have that nice uniform edge. Unless that doesn't matter.
 
Yeah... but I'm gonna use this thing pretty regularly... it's gonna basically take the place of my machete on my pack. So it's gonna need regular sharpening. I'd hate to send it off every time I need it sharpened. Plus I take my sharpening very personal... I like to be able to do it myself LOL.
 
Steel-Junky said:
Yeah... but I'm gonna use this thing pretty regularly... it's gonna basically take the place of my machete on my pack. So it's gonna need regular sharpening. I'd hate to send it off every time I need it sharpened. Plus I take my sharpening very personal... I like to be able to do it myself LOL.
Click to expand...

Then you will want the HF grinder and a set of belts and the leather belt strop from Lee Valley. Practice on some garden tools and cheap knives. it's not really that hard. You can find more info in the Maintenance sub-forum.
 
resinguy said:
it's not really that hard.
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Unless you're a tip rounding mook like myself!:foot:

I have since changed my technique, but I still don't trust myself, its the leather belt or nothing for me. IMO the Harbor freight belt sander spins at too high of an RPM.
 
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