Sharpening Recurves without a Sharpmaker?

G

GarageBoy

Joined
May 23, 2003
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How do you sharpen a recurve without a Spyderco Sharpmaker? They've been around for a looong time, but how were they maintained?
 
You can use a lansky diamond rod, or round off the corner of a waterstone or other stone. I like using slack sandpaper, although getting a thin edge on a knife with a non-removable thumbstud is tricky.
 
They have made cylindrical or oval rod hones for a long time. I like a small oval diamond hone for recurves. The basic round-V-rod sharpener systems work well on recurves. Any economy brand will do.

Before I had money to spend on sharpening "systems" I would just use the sides or edges of my basic 8" aluminum oxide bench hone for recurved sections of knives.
 
With a flat hone and a normal belly, you push foward until you hit the belly, then you pull the handle up slightly to hit the rest of the blade. How do you tackle the curve with the rod? Thanks
 
I use the standard one inch wide hones that come with the Edge Pro.

I only have one recurve knife, a Ken Onion Scallion.
It has a mirror polished edge.
All done on the standard hones. I tried a cut down one, 1/2" , but it did not really help.

It just takes longer. Even the polishing tapes worked and did not catch as I anticipated. Just work slow. The result was fantastic.One eighth of an inch edge, all mirror polished.
 
As dorothy did... you follow the yellow brick road!
in this case... you simply follow the curve...
 
Hmmm. I've used a Gatco and/or Lansky system (usually a combination of both) with great success.

Generally, you just need a narrow stone - about a half-inch across or less.

For just touch-up work a leather strop works fine on recurves.
 
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