Sharpening system for a noob?

H

hfdcowboy

Joined
Jan 26, 2014
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160
Hello,

Let me start by saying I have searched thru all the threads I can find on here about getting started into sharpening. I also have never sharpened a knife successfully. So that being said I decided to buy some better quality knives, I started with a Junglas "I wanted something to chop with". Now I have bought a used Busse pork shank hoping it will serve me well as a hunting knife.

Now I need to be able to sharpen my blades, so my question? Is there a system I can get started with that will eliminate or minimize rookie mistakes. Is there a preferred method when your getting started?

Help! I have not been this intimidated since I first started looking into optics and glass :)

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated.
 
What is your budget & are you wanting a guided system or to try & learn free hand on a bench stone?
 
I believe in buy once cry once as far as budget goes.

With a guided system it looks like less mistakes, but if I am going to end up free hand in the future I would rather start there. I will say between Work, Family, Camping, Playing guitar, Shooting, Reloading, Hunting, and Fishing time is probably what I am in shortest supply of.
 
My first sharpener was a lansky sharpening system made by smiths like sharpener. They work pretty good for a first time sharpener because they are so simple and you can get shaving sharp edges with it. I would also check out the lansky four rod turn box.
 
The lansky works really well, hasn't failed me yet. Gives a nice edge but the angle does change a little bit throughout the edge. Lansky + 6000 grit sanding cloth glued to a piece of wood with a steel rod to use it on the lansky gives an awesome near-mirror edge.

If you want something more freehand I'd recommend diamond stones, a bench diamond would be really easy to use, just make sure to get >1000 grit. I have the Smith's 2 in 1 diamond sharpener that's meant to be portable (it's popular, you'll find it) which has a coarse yellow and finer orange side. No complaints, works really well and give a nice toothy edge that's smooth enough for everyday knife sharpening.
 
Get an edge pro and an angle cube. The lansky is great for a lot of knives, but you will not be able to sharpen the junglas with it. The edge pro is by far the most versatile guided system I have used. And if used correctly it gives the best results. It like most sharpening systems has a learning curve, but I was able to get scary sharp edges on the second/third attempt.
 
It really depends on what your sharpening goals are and what kind of use and abuse you put your knives through. I have the sharpmaker, edge pro, wicked edge, and 1x42 belt sanders. I would say if you are looking to touch up on something somewhat guided that you could also use later to free hand sharpen, the sharpmaker is a good first step. It is relatively inexpensive, has two preset angles, and you can also use the stones flat for free hand. I typically will take the sharpmaker with me plus a double sided strop when I go hunting and can pretty much tackle most situations on the road. While at home the sharpmaker is in the kitchen and is used on my kitchen knives. I use the stones laying flat like water stones and have not used the preset angles in about 5 or 6 years but both grits provided do a really nice job.
If you are looking to rebevel and more intense metal removal I would look at a dedicated water stone system or one of the guided systems if your preference is v edges. If you are a convex fan I would take a serious look at the belt sander route.
 
I normally suggest the spyderco sharpmaker. That junglas is a beast, and you need a but more than the sharpmaker...

I started with the sharpmaker and use DMT stones now, they work awesome and in much less time. Put in some quality time on the maintenace forum and youtube and get the finer points of freehand sharpening. Perhaps practise on your kitchen knives :).
 
I will look into DMT stones but I have seen the edge pro and the wicked edge mentioned. They seem comparable as far as price and systems. Can the owners of these systems weight in on the pros and cons of both? Thanks.
 
hfdcowboy said:
I believe in buy once cry once as far as budget goes.

With a guided system it looks like less mistakes, but if I am going to end up free hand in the future I would rather start there. I will say between Work, Family, Camping, Playing guitar, Shooting, Reloading, Hunting, and Fishing time is probably what I am in shortest supply of.
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Have you checked out the paper wheel thread? It's a sticky at the top of this sub forum. With time restraints working against you they might be just what you're looking for.
 
Since time is at a premium, I'd suggest avoiding the Sharpmaker or freehand sharpening. The Sharpmaker cannot do true sharpening in a reasonable amount of time. Even with the diamond rods, it's going to be too slow for you. Freehanding can be quick once you learn (and do it enough to stay in practice).

There are several good suggestions above. The Edge Pro is a good one. The Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition would be a good one to consider also. The paper wheels are great if the knife doesn't need too much metal removed.

Good sharpening,
Dave
 
hfdcowboy said:
I will look into DMT stones but I have seen the edge pro and the wicked edge mentioned. They seem comparable as far as price and systems. Can the owners of these systems weight in on the pros and cons of both? Thanks.
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I don't have a wicked edge, so I can't comment on that. The pro's of the edge pro, pretty fast, accurate, portable. The con's, you need some right/left hand dexterity, you move some knives around so it takes practice to get it perfect.
 
Edge Pro Apex is outstanding.

Check out the vids on YT to see what it's all about if you're not familiar....
 
If your hoping to progress into freehand sharpening I would recommend skipping the totally guided systems and going for a sharpmaker. That will help teach you angle control while still being a great system for a beginner and unlike the guided/blade clamp systems its so much more versatile, it can be used as the guided system, as a flat stone, even as ceramic files and if you happen to break a stone you can stick the broken parts into different day packs or in a glove box or even carry a piece in your pocket.
 
With the buy once, cry once mentality, I would suggest a Edge Pro Apex or Wicked Edge. Which ever one suits your needs. Tons of info here and alot of videos of both systems as well.
 
I vote wicked edge, thats what I have and I was in the same boat as you. Edge pro is nice, but YOU have to keep the blade flat where as the WE does everything for you. Basically I have a hard time rubbing my belly and patting my head at the same time.
 
I would sugest Spyderco Sharpmaker. I received it on friday and I ve been able to put a scary edge on my Military and Contego.
 
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Im using the sharpmaker and have been able to get all of my knives shaving sharp. The toughest was my USMC Ka-Bar, it was really dull and the edge was pretty beatup. It took awhile but its back to shaving. Patience pays off and the sharpmaker will sharpen anything.
 
The sharpmaker is a great system. I would also suggest freehanding. I wish I would have learned it earlier. Once you develop the muscle memory for it, it's amazingly therapeutic. I've been able to put mirror pollished edges on my knives at whatever angle I like. But for a quick touch up, the sharpmaker is great. Also, harbor freight tools has a 4 sided diamond hone for $10. It's cheap but works great for quick reprofiling
 
Bighaze51 said:
The sharpmaker is a great system. I would also suggest freehanding. I wish I would have learned it earlier. Once you develop the muscle memory for it, it's amazingly therapeutic. I've been able to put mirror pollished edges on my knives at whatever angle I like. But for a quick touch up, the sharpmaker is great. Also, harbor freight tools has a 4 sided diamond hone. It's cheap but works great for quick reprofiling
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Careful about deal spotting.

About the "cheese grater", I have one I use to flatten my ceramic stones. I have also gifted a few of them to friends who all say they work great, they've never used DMT's but I can't argue they don't get their knives sharp. The grit progression is very coarse- 200,300,400&600.
 
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