Sharpening freehand to hair whittling (the video series)

[So-Lo]

Great vids. Stone holders can really help, and can be had for fairly cheap and I think you would like them. I switch from hand to hand when I flip the knife, but I am fairly ambidextrous so for me that works. I also prefer lapping film on glass for stropping as I can sometimes round over my edges on leather, but you definately have the touch down on the strop. In the end our edges end up really similar: mirrored bevels that easily whittle hair. As you say it is what works for you and others may find something else that works better for them. One thing we are identical on is locking the grip in (as Knifenut points out) to keep the angle locked in. I think however someone can figure out to make their sharpening work around the basis on keeping your grip locked in as you show is going to be that person to get excellent results. Very good work on making those vids, thanks for taking the time and effort to help others out.

Mike

Mike,

Means a lot coming from you. I tried switching hands and it was a mess, but I could see how it might be better if your ambidextrous.

Maybe Santa will bring me a stone holder and a Spyderco fine and medium stone

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

I wish I could get a polished edge like that using ANY method. My sharpmaker sure won't do it, maybe the edge pro will. Your polished edge just looks so good. You KNOW your edge is good when it shines like that. Props to you man. I just can't do it.

 

[bladerique]

I have the latest from Firefox and Flash but the vids will not embed for me. Does anyone have direct YouTube urls for the sharpening vids?

 

[gunmike1]

Mike,

Means a lot coming from you. I tried switching hands and it was a mess, but I could see how it might be better if your ambidextrous.

Maybe Santa will bring me a stone holder and a Spyderco fine and medium stone

You will definately like the full size stones and a stone holder if you get them (I have them and they work great). I'm really impressed with how you use the Pro Files, I only use mine for serrated edges and recurves, and after using the full size stones I couldn't see myself doing to great using the profiles on a PE like you do.

The whole ambidextrous thing is just one thing that I'm lucky with I guess, but most people use their dominant hand like you do and you definately get some very even, sharp and nice looking edges with your technique. Sharpening is just putting steel to abrasives, and there are a ton of ways to do it, and as long as you get a sharp edge you are doing something right. I think your videos are a great tutorial for those not schooled in freehanding to get a handle on the whole process, then they can adjust to suit their individual needs.

Mike

 

[So-Lo]

Sharpening is just putting steel to abrasives, and there are a ton of ways to do it, and as long as you get a sharp edge you are doing something right.

This is the best I'v heard sharpening explained. So simple, but so true! :thumbup:

 

[awestib]

Again, great Video So-Lo!
I use the DC4 from Fallkniven so only have a diamond stone and the "brown rod" basically. What would you do after using the brown rod in my case? Should I sharpen the microbevel as a last step on the brown rods to also get rid of the burr (if I don't want to scrape it off with cork, soft wood etc.). I barely get my knife shaving with step one and two and I almost always have a nasty burr left (on my D2 Benchmade folder)!

The second question I have is, how do you know when to go to the next sharpening step? I don't think you check for a burr to occur in your videos! How do you know you have sharpend the very edge enough? Just experience?
Thanks a lot in advance!
AW