Recommendation? Sharpening - DIY vs Service

[b00n]

Okay, so I was wondering what everybodys opinion was on that. I know I will most likely get a 50-50 split, but I am trying to make a decision. I should preface it with: I'm in germany and while there are no doubt a bunch of sharpeners the majority seem to focus on classic kitchen knives and scissors, and no people who focus on the cool stuff a lot of the BF Guys (and some of the Instagram/YT Folk) do, like mirrored edges on modern folders who are familiar with the particular steels that are in use.
No I know myself, I have no talent or patience to learn sharpening on stones so I've considered a KME, to try it myself and just do it myself, the KME seemed like a good way to compromise learning curve and speed.
There is a sharpening service fairly close by (like 15 Minutes from me) who has good reviews on Facebook/Google who also make their own Folding Straight Razors in Damascus and offer polishing for metal parts in general (Motorcycle stuff etcpp), but their pictures (like seeing actual edges) are pretty horrid (same with their website, all in all they seem less tech savvy or interested in maintaining it like a modern business should).
SO I am now inbetween:
A. Get a KME and just go for it myself, make it an addition to the hobby if you will.
B. Just get 1-2 Folders that aren't dear to me, so to speak, and bring them by, maybe let them show me some current work. See how it goes and go from there.

I thought about a Sharpmaker/Lansky but I feel that I just skip that step, I would like a Wicked Edge Pro, but that seems like overkill, the KME I know gets good results and fits my bill.

 

[DeadboxHero]

No one is BORN a knife sharpener, even the professionals had to learn. You will never truly enjoy or see the performance and limits of your knives until you are sharpening them. The ability to change the angles and finish at a whim for the job at hand cannot be underestimated.

I can't imagine being trapped with whatever some other sharpener gives me. Also if you crave HIGH sharpness it's a fleeting thing so you would have to send it out ALL the time.

Just not economic.

 

[SV-97]

I'd advocate for DIY, if you want someone to do it for you though, I'm in Germany too, so feel free to hit me up

 

[b00n]

No one is BORN a knife sharpener, even the professionals had to learn. You will never truly enjoy or see the performance and limits of your knives until you are sharpening them. The ability to change the angles and finish at a whim for the job at hand cannot be underestimated.

I can't imagine being trapped with whatever some other sharpener gives me. Also if you crave HIGH sharpness it's a fleeting thing so you would have to send it out ALL the time.

Just not economic.

Yeah I get that, in a way I am a tinkerer, I enjoy disassembling and cleaning my knives, I also enjoy it at work, taking things apart and putting them back together but the learning curve is often blocking me from things. But you make a valid point, it might turn into a good exercise for patience.

I'd advocate for DIY, if you want someone to do it for you though, I'm in Germany too, so feel free to hit me up

Hey Stefan, I checked out your site, some nice stuff. I might not hit you up for sharpening, but I might talk to you in the future about turning some knife drawings into 3d models (if I don't get into Fusion360 myself) I used to do some 3d Modelling in Milkshape 3d for Counter-Strike Models back in the day, I enjoyed it, but time and different interests moved me away from it.

 

[DeadboxHero]

don't overthink it just DO it. I can't imagine having to relearn how to read and write it's daughting to think about but you can't truly live without it. Sharpening is the same way but with knives, it allows you to read and write in knife steel. You'll be able to REALLY see what knives can do.

Don't get cashed in on by gimmicks and shortcuts.

Just grab a blade, grab a stone and start making some bevels and troubleshoot from there.

Keep it simple and soon your a knife sharpener.

Practice on knives you don't care about first and grow from there.

But yeah, Just DO it

 

[SV-97]

Yeah I get that, in a way I am a tinkerer, I enjoy disassembling and cleaning my knives, I also enjoy it at work, taking things apart and putting them back together but the learning curve is often blocking me from things. But you make a valid point, it might turn into a good exercise for patience.



Hey Stefan, I checked out your site, some nice stuff. I might not hit you up for sharpening, but I might talk to you in the future about turning some knife drawings into 3d models (if I don't get into Fusion360 myself) I used to do some 3d Modelling in Milkshape 3d for Counter-Strike Models back in the day, I enjoyed it, but time and different interests moved me away from it.

If you decide to get into Fusion and have a problem I'd be willing to help

 

[bflying]

Get the KME! With the four diamond stones and a couple of strops. There is a sense of accomplishment with taking the next step in the hobby. But most of all, you will dial in on the edge that YOU like most, and be able to replicate it from blade to blade.

If you are willing to add anything else beyond the KME, I'd suggest the Sharpmaker and a couple of paddle strops ( like the ones at Tandy Leather). After you have set the perfect edge, you don't need the KME for random edge maintenance. After use daily , I will quickly strop on a paddle and more often than not, bring it back to shave sharp. If I was more hard on the edge, a few swipes on the Sharpmaker stretches out the mid edge life.

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/leather-strop-w-wood-handle

 

[Lapedog]

Okay, so I was wondering what everybodys opinion was on that. I know I will most likely get a 50-50 split, but I am trying to make a decision. I should preface it with: I'm in germany and while there are no doubt a bunch of sharpeners the majority seem to focus on classic kitchen knives and scissors, and no people who focus on the cool stuff a lot of the BF Guys (and some of the Instagram/YT Folk) do, like mirrored edges on modern folders who are familiar with the particular steels that are in use.
No I know myself, I have no talent or patience to learn sharpening on stones so I've considered a KME, to try it myself and just do it myself, the KME seemed like a good way to compromise learning curve and speed.
There is a sharpening service fairly close by (like 15 Minutes from me) who has good reviews on Facebook/Google who also make their own Folding Straight Razors in Damascus and offer polishing for metal parts in general (Motorcycle stuff etcpp), but their pictures (like seeing actual edges) are pretty horrid (same with their website, all in all they seem less tech savvy or interested in maintaining it like a modern business should).
SO I am now inbetween:
A. Get a KME and just go for it myself, make it an addition to the hobby if you will.
B. Just get 1-2 Folders that aren't dear to me, so to speak, and bring them by, maybe let them show me some current work. See how it goes and go from there.

I thought about a Sharpmaker/Lansky but I feel that I just skip that step, I would like a Wicked Edge Pro, but that seems like overkill, the KME I know gets good results and fits my bill.

If a knife is fairly sharp and has good flat edge bevels I am usually pretty good at touching it up. I use my sharpmaker rods freehand with the knife in one hand and the knife in the other.

Sometimes I get knives with terrible uneven edges or extremely obtuse edge inclusive angles. These I take to my local pro and he puts a good edge on them. Once he does so I am able to keep the blade sharp.

 

[eugenechia1989]

It's very fulfilling to be able to put a hair-popping edge on a knife yourself using traditional freehand sharpening methods and equipment. You won't master it overnight. It takes time, practice, dedication and a basic understanding of how it works. But if an incompetent oaf like myself can do it, anyone can. I'm not opposed to having it done professionally or using guided systems as and when the situations call for them, but I think freehand sharpening is a very useful survival skill and you should be able to do it yourself too.

 

[HeavyHanded]

My vote is to do both.

Learn to sharpen but do so on your kitchen knives and/or cheap pocket knives that have very little $ value. In the meantime if you have a reputable pro, let them reprofile any more expensive knives you have. Factory grinds tend to be very poor, and many blades come with warps and such that can make initial sharpening for a newbie a very unpleasant and even counterproductive experience.

By all means learn to sharpen on your own, but don't think you need to trade in your man card if you get some knives sharpened for you while still learning.

 

[Wowbagger]

• There is a sharpening service fairly close by (like 15 Minutes from me) who has good reviews on Facebook/Google who also make their own Folding Straight Razors in Damascus and offer polishing for metal parts in general (Motorcycle stuff etcpp), but their pictures (like seeing actual edges) are pretty horrid (same with their website, all in all they seem less tech savvy or interested in maintaining it like a modern business should).

choice (C)
Look for a REAL, high end, knife sharpener though they may be further than 15 minutes away.
I didn't vote. Reasons :

• I don't want to take away from the pros business here by suggesting that those who don't have the proclivity for sharpening should hesitate to send out their sharpening.
• I won't ever send out my sharpening because I don't own any knives of high enough level of appearance that I won't just sharpen them myself and put up with the little imperfections that I leave in my wake.
• I don't want to admit that I actually enjoy sharpening, maybe more than using the edge I sharpen . . . nah . . . yes, no, yes, no, yes,

two minutes twenty three seconds (2:23) into this clip