Sharpening Cold Steel Serrations?

[K Williams]

What do you all use to sharpen Cold Steel serrations? I just bought a Recon 1 Spearpoint with a 50/50 edge for use as a work knife...cutting manila line, cardboard, plastic tarps, etc. Thanks.

 

[dkb45]

So long as the serrations don't get damaged, all they should need is some stropping using something with some give like denim (compound optional but useful). If they get damaged you will need to use the corner of a stone, a file, or a serration sharpener (usually a triangular stone) to fix the damage.

If you just want to sharpen them up, using edge TRAILING (edge leading can kill you) with a buffing wheel and compound, but please don't try it unless you know what you are doing.

 

[bgentry]

Those serrations look like the small ones are VERY small. So it's going to be very difficult to maintain their shape unless you go to a lot of extra time and trouble.

If you're willing to accept the premise that serrations can be kept very sharp, but that they will gradually change shape, then using the SharpMaker on them will keep them very sharp for a long time, while gradually wearing away the points.

At some point, you'll either need to do some hand filing on each serration to bring back the very sharp tips, or have the manufacturer regrind it on the jig that was used to create the serrations in the first place.

Brian.

 

[K Williams]

Thanks for the replies. Going by what you all posted, I think I'll hand sharpen the larger part of the serrations, and leave the mini serrations alone. If they become too dull, I'll have the knife reprofiled into a 100% plain edge. I got the knife on sale(only the 50/50 edge had the sale price), so I'm OK with having to regring it in the future.

 

[vorpalblade]

That's the trouble with these very fine serrations. They're hard to maintain.

 

[1Ronin]

Lansky makes a sharpener for cold steel. As well as one for spyderco. The cold steel version will fit perfectly into the small serrations.

 

[Jason B.]

Serrations are very easy to maintain, everybody does it the wrong way though.

First, never sharpen the actual serration, do not use files or other round objects to fit the curve. This is how serrations get ruined.

Using a ceramc rod or stone you sharpen the backside at a very low angle to raise a burr on the face side of the serrations. Once a burr has been raised buff off the burr. Sewn cotton or leather wheels with some green compound works very well.