Sharpening Guidance...

D

drjones

Joined
Sep 6, 2000
Messages
913
Hi. Now that I'm acquiring all these knives, I need to keep them sharp! (duh!:rolleyes: ) I want an EASY to use, INEXPENSIVE sharpening tool. I do not want some fancy automated machine that'll put a new angle on it or anything, and I'm not repairing major edge damage. Just a simple sharpening implement, to maintain my edges. None of my blades see significant use at ALL. Would a simple "Arkansas stone" or equivalent be sufficient? Should I just go to my local Merlo's Cutlery in the mall and ask for them to show me how?

Help and guidance, please.

drjones
 
Your gonna hear lots of advice on Spyderco Sharpmaker, I've had one for 10 years it's a great system, that's easy to use and puts a great edge on most blades. But if your gonna want to really get into sharpening your own knives I think the most satisfaction comes from doing it freehand on bench stones, in that case I'd invest in a good set of diamond hones, the largest you can afford.:)
 
I'm a big Sharpmaker fan, but if you don't want something that changes the angle then you'll almost have to go with a regular hone/benchstone for freehand sharpening (unless your knife angle matches perfectly to the angles on one of the other sharpening systems). Takes more skill but probably more worthwhile in the long run. As long as you don't let your knives get dull, then you can probably just get an Arkansas stone or a fine India stone and just touch it up to keep it sharp. If you let it get dull, then you're going to need something coarser.
 
drjones, I think that it is just a matter of your own personal preference. I first started out with an Arkansas stone(couldn't find that perfect angle), then tried the Smith's system(similar to the Lansky, but scratched some of my blades in process), and finally discovered the Spyderco Sharpmaker 204.

I've found the Spydie system to be the best for me, mainly for keeping that consistent angle on the edge. I have no problem achieving that razor edge on my knives now and maintaining that edge is a breeze.:D :D :D
 
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