Sharpening Convex Edges

[aznpos531]

I'm planning on getting a few knives that have convex edges on them and I'd like to know a little more about sharpening them. I'm aware of the mousepad + sandpaper method; is that the only way to sharpen convex edges without a belt sander?

Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've recently begun experimenting with sandpaper on a leather backing (I use one of my strop blocks). The leather I use is about 1/16" thick, and firmer than what would be found with a mousepad. The mousepad is a little too soft for my preference, which makes it easier to round the edge if too much pressure is used.

I sort of backed into the sandpaper on leather method. I'd spent a lot of time working on stropping technique, and it occurred to me that laying a piece of sandpaper on the strop block would be a perfectly natural transition to convexing. Uses exactly the same technique as stropping (edge trailing), and since I was doing this with my existing strop block, I didn't have to 'retrain' my hands/muscle memory for it. Simply stropping at a lower grit, is what it comes down to. Very, very simple to learn. Using grits from about 220 up through 1000 or higher (if you prefer), you can put some great edges on knives very quickly and easily. I think it has become my #1 favorite sharpening technique.

 

[somber]

[youtube]3lxBVDAoqHM[/youtube]

 

[BryFry]

I've recently begun experimenting with sandpaper on a leather backing (I use one of my strop blocks)... ...The mousepad is a little too soft for my preference.

...Same here! I prefer leather backing over mousepad, but it's just a personal preference, as either will work.

Also, technically you can sharpen convex freehand useing flat stones. You just use a slight rolling motion when you sharpen. It's a bit trickier though to get it right that way. Sandpaper seems to be a bit more forgiving to someone who has less than perfect technique.

 

[aznpos531]

I've recently begun experimenting with sandpaper on a leather backing (I use one of my strop blocks). The leather I use is about 1/16" thick, and firmer than what would be found with a mousepad. The mousepad is a little too soft for my preference, which makes it easier to round the edge if too much pressure is used.

I sort of backed into the sandpaper on leather method. I'd spent a lot of time working on stropping technique, and it occurred to me that laying a piece of sandpaper on the strop block would be a perfectly natural transition to convexing. Uses exactly the same technique as stropping (edge trailing), and since I was doing this with my existing strop block, I didn't have to 'retrain' my hands/muscle memory for it. Simply stropping at a lower grit, is what it comes down to. Very, very simple to learn. Using grits from about 220 up through 1000 or higher (if you prefer), you can put some great edges on knives very quickly and easily. I think it has become my #1 favorite sharpening technique.

Thanks, I'll try both with the mousepad and the strop block and see which one I like better.

vid

Interesting video there. I haven't see that one from Murray. Never thought of rocking the knife on the stone as a convex edge...just thought that it meant I suck at free-hand sharpening!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

...Same here! I prefer leather backing over mousepad, but it's just a personal preference, as either will work.

Also, technically you can sharpen convex freehand useing flat stones. You just use a slight rolling motion when you sharpen. It's a bit trickier though to get it right that way. Sandpaper seems to be a bit more forgiving to someone who has less than perfect technique.

I guess that explains why I like it so much!

I've been playing a little bit with sandpaper on hard backing, too. I figure I'll get around to trying convexing on a stone, eventually. Baby steps...

 

[Jason B.]

somber, Excellent video and very well explained :thumbup:

 

[somber]

Thanks. I wish that when he grabbed my wharncliffe in the clip he sharpened it instead of just setting it back down.

 

[Gamerdude141]

Should I use Aluminum Oxide sandpaper or silicon carbide sandpaper and where can I get some can only find up to 320