Sharpening large knives.

[thacheese16]

Hey guys, what would you recommend for sharpening large fixed blades (7 inches or larger) I have the lansky system but it doesn't have the reach to do big blades. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[awestib]

Freehand!

 

[not2sharp]

Freehand!

Free hand with a good size bench stone.

n2s

 

[sintro]

Freehand or something you move against the blade. Meaning a belt sander or something that you move the blade against because those usually don't have a limit. Whereas something like the sharpmaker maxes out at a certain length you are able to do with normal strokes.

 

[OHALLUM]

I have sharpened machetes on my paper wheels to paper cutting sharp. 20 + inch blades. Took about 10 minutes from start to finish. Maybe not for everyone, but works great and fast for me. Would highly recommend them. You can get into a set with a buffer motor for less than $100.

Blessings,

Omar

 

[wouldestous]

the only big blades i have are 24 inch and longer machetes that i use for clearing brush. i sharpen them with a flat file and a 'canoe' type stone. while it will not get anything near a mirror type finish it will get them plenty sharp for this sort of work. dont know if you would need a finer edge than this for your intended purpose, though.
takes a little practice because you hold the blade stationary and move the abrasive. use a progressively lighter touch with both the file and stone to refine the edge. sometimes i use the edge of the window on my work van to put the finishing touch on the edge but i find that to be 'gilding the lily'.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Hey guys, what would you recommend for sharpening large fixed blades (7 inches or larger) I have the lansky system but it doesn't have the reach to do big blades. Any thoughts? Thanks.

If you think you'd still benefit from a guided setup, a DMT Aligner clamp and a benchstone (8" or larger) would accommodate much larger blades. The clamp can be positioned rearward on the blade, nearer to or at the tang/ricasso, and the blade can be swept somewhat diagonally down and across the stone. This motion almost perfectly duplicates the same freehand technique, and is a great way to get the feel for it. For large blades, a DMT Duo-Sharp hone in C/F grit and 8"/10" length is extremely versatile and works fast.

DMT has at least a few videos on their site, demonstrating the use of the Aligner clamp with their bench hones. Blades up to the size of large kitchen/chef's knives can be sharpened easily with this combination.


David