Sharpening stone?

B

blade_collector

Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
53
I will be receiving my Izula around 10:00 this morning and cant wait. I would like advice on the best sharpener to use. I currently use a Lansky kit, but it seems to be wearing down. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
Spyderco sharpmaker is a great tool, a bit pricey, but it is really nice.

Frankly, the best advice I can give is to learn to sharpen freehand with a stone. Once you can do that reliably, you'll hardly ever use a system again.

If you do choose to learn free hand, the Lansky and DMT butterfly style paddle sharpeners are fantastic.

For about 20 bucks, you get a double sided, course/fine/or medium combo diamond sharpener that folds up into itself to be taken anywhere with you.
 
Thanks, I have looked at the DMT sharpeners before but didnt know how reliable they were. Guess its time to learn to sharpen free handed, huh? How do you get the "I support RAT pics like the one in your messages?
 
blade_collector said:
Guess its time to learn to sharpen free handed, huh? How do you get the "I support RAT pics like the one in your messages?
Click to expand...

Yea, sharpening freehand is really the way to go. Try it on some older kitchen knives first and cover the edge with Sharpie marker so you can see where your removing material, you'll get the hang of it.

As for the RAT banners, you need to upgrade to a paid membership in order to get a signature line.

You get a sig line, PM space, access to search, access to other areas of the forum, ability to sell and your name in pretty gold letters:o
 
I do most of my sharpening by hand with Arkensaw stones. Last night while watching reruns of classic BattleStar Galactica I put a nice edge on my Izula with a medium stone. A nice way to pass the time IMO.

Upgrading your membership is worth it. You can post pictures of your new Izula for us to see and the cool sig line you want. ;)

Heber
 
Look into picking up a Falkniven DC4 hone. It has a fine diamond on one side and extra fine ceramic on the other. packs in it own pouch which can serve as a strop.
 
I am sort of backwards when it comes to freehand sharpening. I hold the stone in one hand and run it across the blade instead of placing the stone on a table, etc.

One of the easiest ways to get the hang of sharpening free hand like that is to paint the edge, and only the edge, with a black Sharpie. In the case of a black coated knife, you could use red. GENERALLY speaking, this will set the original angle for you as you brush off the ink. It works like a charm for me. I just then feel for the wire edge with a fingernail and either strop it on leather or give it a final brush to even it out with a stone...

I have a Sharpmaker that is about 17 years old with the diamond speed sleeves with it, a set of Spyderco Pro-Filer Ceramics, Gatco Tri-Steps, EZE-Lap "pen" diamond hone which I used the other night and in about two minutes had a dull kitchen knife up and running again, no sweat.

Everyone has posted good info to you, just go slow and don't use a lot of pressure. Make the sharpener work for you like you make a knife work for you because that's what a sharpener is, a "knife" for sharpening other knives. :D
 
Thanks guys. I am glad I found this forum because it is like one big place to find out any specific info you are looking for. My Izula is not here yet...... DANGIT!!!! U.P.S. better hurry up.
 
Blade collector. I picked up my DC4 from bushcraftnorthwest.com. He shipped fast and the price was great as well.
 
The best way is a range of 'Japanese waterstones/whetstones', but they are pricey, bulky to store, messy to use and doing it 'freehand' can take some practice.

A lot of people use the Spyderco Sharpmaker; it's idiot proof, versatile, and includes high quality stones.

When out-and-about, the Fallkniven DC4 seems to be the most popular sharpening stone, but again, it might take some practice getting the angles/technique just right.
 
I vote for learning freehand sharpening. I don't like the idea of depending on a Sharpmaker or similar "rig" as the only way I can sharpen a knife. Diamond/ceramic stones are easily pocketed and carried around.

A strop and the supplies that go along with it are well worth it also.
 
Awesome. You know as much time as I spend outdoors, I have never thought that not being able to sharpen freehanded could prove to make for a very bad situation. The freehanded sharpening class 101 shall begin tonight. Thanks guys!
 
The Mears video is pretty specific to a scandi grind. Could be confusing to a freehand sharpening novice. That technique won't really work for a standard, double bevel grind.

Good info though.
 
I suggest getting the sharpmaker kit, you can learn freehand on it, by putting the stones in the slots on the back, which is as good a thing as any to learn on, but you also get an amazingly simple system too thats really quick.:thumbup:
 
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