Sharpening Question #637

[kpfeifle]

Hi All:

I know there have been a ton of sharpening questions (and I’ve read through most of them). That’s why I want to take a little time and detail what my needs are as well as what I’ve tried. I’m hoping that with the additional information, you can help me select the right method. So sorry in advance if this is a little long!

Needs: I have two broad categories of knives that I sharpen. One is kitchen knives, everything from a 12 inch kitchen knife to a smaller paring knife. The other category is pocket knives. Everything from a small blade on a Case peanut to a 4 inch folder. As you might imagine, all of these blades are in different styles. Basically I want to be able to get all of these knives ‘scary sharp’ without making myself crazy.

Using Now: Right now I am using 2 different systems:

DMT Aligner (4 stone model). Likes: Easy to get a consistent angle, nice quality to the diamond stones. Dislikes: Clamp has a tendency to slip off blade, very tiresome to sharpen a long knife.

Smith Tri-Hone (basically a 3 stone oil system): Likes: Easier to do long kitchen knives. Dislikes: Harder to get a consistent angle, not as many steps in grit.

While I have been able to get knives very sharp (cuts paper easily) with both systems, I not very consistent with either. I have spent quite a bit of time practicing with both, so I don’t think it’s a learning curve thing. I have never been able to get a knife shaving sharp off of either.

So…I think I have my choices narrowed down to two different options:

Option 1: EdgePro Apex 4, All of the bells & whistles of the consumer model. I like that the angle is consistent (like the DMT system) but with no clamping of the blade. From YouTube videos, it looks like it will handle large or small knives and it seems to have a large amount of satisfied users. Still not sure that I would set the angle correctly for each knife, with an adjustable system, this would seem to be the hard part.

Option 2: Invest the same money in a good set of Japanese Water Stones. I could get a three or four stone set with a holder and lapping stone for around the same price. Would have to master freehand (or get better them I am now), but I think it’s doable.

So, that’s my story. What would you suggest?


Kevin

 

[richard j]

have you ever heard of the paper wheels? a lot of members who have tried them really like the results. here is a thread about them
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787

 

[me2]

Either one of the systems you have should be able to get a knife sharp enough to shave arm hair. Try raising one end of the Tri-hone up off the table about 2.5 inches, assuming its about 8 inches long. Then hold the knife horizontal and sharpen that way. As nohz says, if you can use a spoon, you can sharpen this way. I alternate with 20 strokes on each side until I feel a burr on one side,then the other. When the 20 strokes get a burr formed on each side (not at the same time) on the coarse and medium stones, raise the end another half inch or so and do light strokes on the fine stone, alternating sides. This will remove any remaining burr and add a small micro-bevel, ensuring that the fine stone is only hitting the edge. You don't have to raise a burr, but it makes it easier to tell when you've sharpened enough on each side. You should be able to slice paper, slice a plastic grocery bag, and shave hair off your arm after this. The same principle applies to the DMT.