Sharpening Problem

[Neophyte]

Dear All,

Can anyone help me with my problem? I have a couple of Gil Hibben throwers, that I have been trying to sharpen with my Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker. Unfortunately I seem to be getting nowhere, and they seem to be worse than when I started. Have I taken too much steel off, and do I need to reprofile with the 30 degree bevel? Or should I just plow on regardless? I was using the 40 degree bevel at first. I don't have much experience with throwers or the Sharpmaker.

Thanks, Neophyte.

 

[Patte Gauche]

Neophyte,

It's not really necessary to have a 'sharp' edge on a throwing knife. I am assuming that you are looking for a double duty thrower/utility cutter function here.

Use a file to get a straight edge profile/line (i.e. no nicks or burrs). The edge angle should be fairly steep as this is a thrower (keeps the edge nicks to a minimum). Work the filed edge on a medium stone until the file marks are gone. Then move to a finer stone to put the 'sharp'on the edge. Anything more than this is overkill for a throwing knife. You should be able to cut the dinner steak but shaving is not necessary.

 

[Neophyte]

Thanks for your help Patte. However I'd prefer to stick with my SharpMaker and leave the file out of it. (I'm not much good with tools!) I take that I should put a pretty sharp angle onto it, using the 30 degree slots on the SharpMaker. That will put a decently steep angle onto it without getting razor sharp. Then use the 40 degree slots to touch it up and get it sharp. I hear you about the razor sharp bit. It just seems too dangerous to have something moving around in my hands that will take hair off.

Incidentally, someone said something recently about throwing folding knives. Apparently Mike Janich does a demonstration in which he throws his Delica, which sounds pretty tricky. But I reckon that my Camillus Arclite would throw pretty well, and want to put a target up soon to test it. That is a lovely little knife, and it is cheap enough that you can throw it without worrying about damaging it. I like the Arclite!