sharpening convex edges

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Rosenrot

Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
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How difficult is it to sharpen a convex edge? Can it be done easily (same as other knives) with a sharpmaker, lansky system, gatco edgemate, etc.? Or is it more difficult than that?

Thank you
 
If you use a "normal" sharpener, over time you'll destroy the convex edge and replace it with a conventional V-edge.

I use the sandpaper and mousepad method. (Google it)

Sharpening a convex edge is different, but arguably easier than most others once you get the hang of it.
 
I made a sharpening kit with an altoids tin. i glued a piece of mousepad on the top of it and a piece of leather on the bottom. i cut pieces of sandpaper so that I can put them over the mousepad and close the lid to hold them down. I store all the sandpaper in the tin when i'm not using it. it works great for me.
 
I watched all the videos on knives ship free. Then converted 2 knives to convex to try them out. Oh My! Best thing ever. Holds an edge so well. I used the method with a paint mixing stick. Shortened it and put leather on both sides. then cut my paper to fit with it and just band it together. I am going to have to try the altoids method. Sounds awesome. Could get a small bottle of breakfree CLP to go in there too. But I converted my Rat cutlery RC-4 and it and my gerber axe are now shaving sharp!
 
Welcome to the forums Rosenrot.

Here's a link to a site that has instructions for convex sharpening. I learned how to convex my blades by following these instructions.

One piece of advice I try to remember came from Mike Stewart of Bark River Knives. He said, "forget about the angles and just follow the instructions."
 
you cant beat a good convex edge for durability. another way to put a convex edge on is with a belt sander. you can also do it by hand like bennyg19 said. if the steel is hard its going to take quite some time though by hand.
 
First when possible is not to let them get too dull. I try to strop them often and use sandpaper and a thick phone book as a base when sharpening them. I have tried the mouse pad too and it works. For some reason I get a better feel of what I am doing with the phone book.
 
If the convex edge is already there, 600 will maintain it nicely, unless you are sharpening something hard like ZDP. From the 600 to a green loaded strop will give you a very nice finish.
 
Willieboy said:
Welcome to the forums Rosenrot.

Here's a link to a site that has instructions for convex sharpening. I learned how to convex my blades by following these instructions.

One piece of advice I try to remember came from Mike Stewart of Bark River Knives. He said, "forget about the angles and just follow the instructions."
Click to expand...

Am I missing something or is there no link included here? :confused:
 
I just sharpen freehand the majority of the time, and I'm told that eventually this convexes the profile. Of course, this can be a faster or slower process depending on the thickness of the blade and the grits used, as well as your natural variance in sharpening angles.
 
Sharp Eye said:
Videos on convex sharpening can be found here
Click to expand...



Thanks for the link Sharp Eye. Watching the videos and seeing the mousepad and sand paper gave me an idea. I remembered that I have these sandpaper pads that give somewhat like a mouse pad. They are maybe a 1/4in thick and gave them a try. They work wonders for a Convex Edge.
 
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