Sharpening help - Cold Steel Kukri

jstn

jstn

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Jun 27, 2012
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I bought a few Cold Steel Kukris recently to use outdoors. They came very dull, apparently what is considered a utility edge, which I understand keeps the cost on these so low. I'm not complaining as this was a $20 knife, just looking to see if I will be able to sharpen it properly.

All I have is a Sharpmaker with white, brown, and diamond rods, and a Smith's stone. I know a machete doesn't need to be shaving sharp, but I would like to get it decently sharp, which looks like it will require removing a decent amount of metal. Will I be able to do it with my current setup? Thanks for any and all suggestions.
 
I used a Nicholson file to sharpen my Cold Steel machetes and then I bought a Lansky puck stone later on to do some finishing touches. The Nicholson file will work just fine. You can find them at any hardware store and maybe even some grocery stores.
 
Thanks, that is actually a big help. I'm just getting into larger blades, and although my Sharpmaker does well with smaller knives, I need something more heavy duty I'm sure.
 
My CS kukri machete came with a squared-off edge so I ended up getting it professionally done. It was worth the 12 (aussie) dollars. FYI mine took and holds a good edge. It may technically be too sharp for a machete but I haven't had any problems after using it on eucalyptus etc.
 
Yeah, I wouldnt waste your Sharpmaker stones. I've used a file, angle grinder, and a belt sander before to sharpen large fixed blades.
 
A belt sander is the way to go. It puts a nice convexed edge on it which are great for machetes and other thick edged choppers.
 
jsp said:
A belt sander is the way to go. It puts a nice convexed edge on it which are great for machetes and other thick edged choppers.
Click to expand...

This, if you have one. I don't so I used my dremel with a stone grinding cylinder. I matched the grind and it worked pretty well actually.

42blades sells them on his site and not only sharpens them but evens out the grind so it's the same on both sides.
 
If one is available a 1x30 or 1x42 belt sander with sharpening grade belts is the way to go, but it sharpening manually a chainsaw file or half round file will work best for getting the interior of the recurve. :)
 
If you lack a belt sander you can convex those using a Norton 87938 stone. Then finish up with WD sandpaper on a hard paper cylinder. Time consuming but the end result is good.
 
I got mine shaving sharp with a diamond stone and ceramic sticks.

Then, when I got home, I took the belt sander to it.

Pow! Convex and nasty.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I don't have access to a belt sander, and I currently live in an apartment so it is n't really an option to buy one right now. Could someone recommend me a specific file to use? I have been looking at Nicholson files, but I'm not sure which to get. I know I really need to get something nice to sharpen my larger blades on eventually and I'm open to suggestions that would be apartment friendly!
 
Missed the recommendation from pjwoolw, I will check out the Norton stone, thanks!
 
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