Sharpening for a total noob

L

Leotheo

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
26
Alrighty, well, to put things bluntly: I have no idea how to sharpen my knives correctly. Before, my options were
A. Sending my knives out of state to have them sharpened
B. Trying to sharpen them with an old hand-honer

But after ruining the factory edge on my new Benchmade 8600, I decided that its time I learned how to sharpen for myself. Problem is, I have no idea where to start. Do I try using a stone? Or should I go get a sharpmaker like everyone else?

Please don't berrate me too much. I am a noob after all :rolleyes:
-Leotheo
 
I have tried a lot of different sharpening methods from the edge pro, lanksy, smith. For me, the easiest method has been the sandpaper over mousepad/leather. It is by far the cheapest (sandpaper is easily available). I was able to put convex edges on any knife I have owned.

You can find the process all over the place but, basically, you place a piece of sandpaper (I usually start at 600 if the edge is really bad - even lower for nicks) on a mouse-pad or piece of leather (I have one backed by a thin piece of wood). I sharpen edge trailing, alternating strokes (or several on each side until you work up a burr). Move up in grits until you have your desired finish/sharpness. I usually end on a bare piece of leather. There are other details in terms of pressure, angle - I experimented until I found what worked for me.

Not very detailed, but the process can be found in lots of places - there are different ways to go about it too...I like this because it was easy for me to pick up, was cheap, and is easily portable (which is a BIG plus for me).

couple links...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770338&highlight=convex+sharpening
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598332&highlight=convex+sharpening
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=763694&highlight=convex+sharpening
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/pages/Sharpening-Videos

Lots of stuff on youtube. There are other sharpening methods too - paper wheels are talked about a lot - haven't tried them yet, but seems very cool! I have never found a method that didn't work - just some that worked better for me, than others.

Hope this helps! :thumbup:
 
I should also say, I didn't like the mousepad with sandpaper. I ended up using leather with a piece of wood as a backing. Also, I used WAY to much pressure to start out with...
 
It's important to understand the basic theory. So that's where you start before you buy any system.

One of the easiest ways to put theory to practice is with the Spyderco Sharpmaker, with a added diamond stone for reprofiling. Then have a Sharpie and a loupe to help you see exactly what you're doing.
 
I purchased a Lansky system awhile back. It does a good job but I really wish I would have researched more. Just from what I've learned on this forum will probably put the Lansky on the shelf for most of its life.
 
syderco sharpmaker will take you from a noob to easily getting things hair shaving sharp in no time
 
Paper wheels. Unless you're a total noob with power tools. There is no faster way to a sharp edge. $30 for paper wheels and a $30 Harbor Freight bench grinder will take care of 95% of your needs.
 
I think a $30 belt sander and $10 worth of belts will have you in an infinitely better position than wheels, which are too limited (only one grit, and it's too fine to do anything but put a steep bevel on anything). I've seen way too many blades ruined by the heat of a 3450RPM wheel to consider it at all. Belt sanders are way way better.
 
I watched a ton of YouTube vids on hand sharpening.
Then subjected lower end knives to trial and error. Nothing beats practice.
 
Twindog said:
It's important to understand the basic theory. So that's where you start before you buy any system.
Click to expand...

This is very good advice...

Sharpening is 99% skill, 1% the tools.

The finest stones and sharpening systems in the world will do no good for the untrained, unskilled knife sharpener.

Learn what is happening at a microscopic level in your knives that is making them sharp. Learn about "the burr". Learn about edge geometry. Test the angles you'd need to use to properly sharpen the knives you have. Practice. That is all you can do. It takes time, you may make a few knives more dull at first, but keep refining your skills and you will get there.

JGON
 
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