Sharpening Supplies

D

Dakmar

Joined
Oct 17, 2002
Messages
75
Where have you guys found some good places to get sharpening supplies at a decent price?
 
Ack, sorry I should have said online. Most of the places that are local to me charge out the wang. :grumpy:
I found a list of places with supplies (I think from following the sharpening FAQ) but was just wondering if anyone had good/bad experience with any of them or knew of any others.
 
Dakmar, check out my friend Ragnar at http://www.ragweedforge.com/

Ragnar's one of the good guys, and he carries everything from very reasonably priced ceramic rods to credit card sized diamond hones that fit in your billfold. If you're into more traditional stuff like Arkansas stones, he's got them too.

Shameless plug for Ragweed Forge? You bet, but I've got no problem touting the virtues of the virtuous. I plug HI khukuris every where I go for just that reason.

Sarge
 
Ragweed Forge is the way to go, and you're helping ouut a human not a corp with your purchases. He is an honnorable and good guy.

Keith
 
Another vote for Ragweed Forge, and not just for sharpening stuff. It's a cool site, with a lot of variety. Reminds me a little of Jim Mattis's 'Chai Cutlery' site (sorely missed!), with all of it's Scandinavian knives.

I only found this forum about a week ago, and it's already cost me the price of 3 blems. Not at all sorry, though. 2 will be Christmas presents for my 2 sons, and one for me, for the garden.

Regards,
Joe (new member as of today. Had to put my 2 cents in)
 
Aardvark, always glad to hear another disenfranchised voice from the Late State of California, of which I am a happy refugee for many years.


I followed Yvsa's advice about sharpening stones when Smoky Mountain Knife Works was offering Norton 8" anniversary stones for 10 bucks each. Don't know if they're still that cheap. eknifeworks.com

I will also be looking at Sarge's recomendation in the future.



munk
 
Thanks for link Sarge:) My brother has been looking for a throwing knife for his bro in law and this might do the trick.
 
I recently got a few things from Ragnar, my first purchase. Great stuff for the price, and good service, including e-mail queries. Like HI products, some things can maybe do with a tiny bit of polishing/sharpening or sealing, but they look like good solid last-forever tools, and pretty to boot. Plus, one-flat rate ($5) for shipping/handling--no B.S. there like some places.

Anybody know what grade the ceramic sticks Ragnar has are?? The ones I received from him are a little coarser than I expected, but I've not owned any before. But at the price you can't go wrong-- 1 or two bucks!!

Don't have links handy, but some online woodworking stores have a big selection of sharpening supplies at OK prices. Lee Valley is the name of one, and another in Atlanta GA--"The Woodworking Store" may be the name. I've seen others with better prices than those two, I think. Woodworking stores seem to have the best selection and information on sharpening.
 
Work got busy so I haven't had had a chance to check out many places except Ragnars (whose page I like just because he's in SCA).
I also had just about forgotten about Smokey Mountain Knifeworks!
lots of good info, thanks everyone. :)
 
I think Uncle is suggesting that the "backyard" ( read wherever you find rocks ) probably has a stone that will work if you look hard and long enough.

Sometimes I suspect he remembers Nepal and can't help remember the Nepalis making do with what was available. Hence the irony.
 
Ragweed Forge has a lot of good stuff & good service.....thanks for the web-site Sarge! Highland Hardware in Atlanta is good; sharpening stuff, good catalog, & web-site. I've not used Cerrahone products, but understand they are producing some good, useable stuff for khukuris.......they are proud of them too! Yvsa is a walking encyclopedia; check out his posts. Is Aeromarine still in Birmingham....they used to carry a lot of stuff. Used to be a gun shop in Homewood that carried a lot of sharpening stuff too, but they are probably not cheap.
 
Ok ok, I pay homage to the great Kamis and their ability to use everyday items to great effect.
Myself, being less clever, and more clumsy of nature - feel obligated to do it the complicated American way (buying it).;)
 
MauRob if I were looking for a throwing axe or knife I'd check out HBforge. go read the hawk section at Blades forum

munk
 
I found a link off of beoram's website (I think) that led me to Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.. Got a nice leather strop mounted on a wooden handle at a good price. Their catalog is lots of fun, too :)
 
I got my ceramic rods from Tagnar. Like the Khuks I don't know how I got along without them. I thought the same as you that they were just a bit rough but, I have had a chance to use them for a while and the more they are used the smoother they have gotten. It looks like them and the blade edge both smooth out after some use.

One of the three days that I was chopping all the cedar I took one in my back pocket and thought I might use it a bit at noon time. I should have known that the HI blades woulldn't need any sharpening after cutting mostly green wood. At night after cleaning the blades I made two passes on each side of the edge and it was ready to go.

I have used the rods on every thing in the house and shop so I don't suppose they will get much smoother. But, to me they work just fine. And like you say, for the price who has nerve enough to complain.:D
 
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