Sharpening Recurve Blades

G

G11354

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Aug 26, 2020
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I am partial to bench stones for sharpening and have read that using the corner of the stone will effectively sharpen a recurve blade. Im considering ordering a Norton 8" Combo India Stone just for recurve blades.

Is this an effective approach or is there a superior alternative?
 
Google "sharpening stones for recurve blades" and you'll get lots of options and techniques.

You can use the corner of your India stone. You can glue or clamp wet/dry sandpaper to a dowel, which lets you better match the curve of your blade. The Sharpmaker's corners work. There are curved wet stones. Wicked Edge has curved diamond stones. Any ceramic rod will do.
 
I wonder how one of @FortyTwoBlades scythe stones would fare on a re-curve? Especially the rectangular ones with curved edges?

And, although not re-curve, I've wondered how they would do on a kukri.
 
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Appreciate the feedback. I had seen some of the rounded bench top stones on "Sharpeningsupplies.com" but thought that a typical dual sided stone would be versatile enough.
 
This is why I avoid recurves. I also sharpen by hand. I found it frustrating and awkward to use round sharpeners or the corner of stone. I tried and failed. Hopefully, you will have better luck.
 
gazz98 said:
This is why I avoid recurves. I also sharpen by hand. I found it frustrating and awkward to use round sharpeners or the corner of stone. I tried and failed. Hopefully, you will have better luck.
Click to expand...

I understand this viewpoint as I used to have the same. I won’t buy or use anything I can’t keep sharp.

The thing that won me over and made me figure it out is carrying a knife with a recurved blade for a week. My wife used to have a Kershaw Boa and I tried it out.

They cut like nobody’s business. That curve pulls everything in and cuts it. It’s like one giant serration.
 
For recurve or hawkbill blades, I've found a diamond rod with an oval cross-section to be almost ideal, in terms of putting more abrasive in direct contact with the blade edge. The wider radius of the oval is what makes the difference in working speed. An oval rod in 10" or 12" length, as used for kitchen knives, makes for quick reshaping or resetting of the edge. Can even support it horizontally and use it like bench stone.

For lighter touch-up sharpening, any round rod or cylindrical device (pipe or dowel with sandpaper) can work well, as already mentioned in this thread.
 
I find round ceramic sharpening rods work great on any edge that is other than flat, I use one with a handle at the end designed for kitchen use. I place one end on a non-slip surface and either adjust the angle of the rod or the knife for the bevel angle I want.
 
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