Sharpening system

K

kravist

Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
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Hello all, Im a newbie here... gotta newbie type of question for you guys. Ive got a older RAT 3 that Ive had for some time and Im anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new RC 5 that I recently ordered:D. Ive always gotten my knives sharpened professionally by a guy at one of my local gun shops because I dont wanna screw up my blades. I wanna start doing it myself but I dnt know where to start. Im looking for a good sharpening system for my RAT knife (cause I use it almost daily) that is simple to use. Any recommendations or tips would be appreciated. Thanks
 
have you considered a strop? building one seems easy...

I need to start sharpening my RC6 i think... so i think i'll go with the strop... not that expensive and many people here seem to like it...
 
carspidey said:
have you considered a strop? building one seems easy...

I need to start sharpening my RC6 i think... so i think i'll go with the strop... not that expensive and many people here seem to like it...
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Like I said... Im a newbie... Sorry to sound ignorant but Ive never heard of a strop. What is is?
 
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A strop would only be good when you are done sharpening your knives. U still need something to sharpen them with cause they will go dull. Stones, systems, grinders. Use the searches i posted in the second post. They work well.
 
For ease of use and good results I'd recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker and set it for 20 degrees per side. There are some diamond rods that you can purchase for it also.
 
333rm said:
For ease of use and good results I'd recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker and set it for 20 degrees per side. There are some diamond rods that you can purchase for it also.
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I just looked at the sharpmaker... it looks like the type of thing im looking for. Thanks
 
rc3mil said:
A strop would only be good when you are done sharpening your knives. U still need something to sharpen them with cause they will go dull. Stones, systems, grinders. Use the searches i posted in the second post. They work well.
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Im checkin out the searches you provided as we speak... Thanks
 
I go with Ark. Stones - coarse-med.-soft, I then follow that with the leather strop coated in compound- raw leather- and then conclude with the soft leather/ or satin finish, coated in polishing/color compound.
 
If free handing isnt your thing, the sharpmaker is a great tool. I turned a semi blunt knife from a leatherman into a shaving sharp knife in 15minutes. Thats without the ultra fine rods that are available separately. After that you can always make strop if you want split hairs or clean shave a lepricons crownjewels
Unless your are sharping very exoctic shaped blades, it think can do everthing, even a kukri :)
 
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I use a Lansky System on my rats. It works really well, but the set up is a pain.

If doing it over again, I would probably go with a Sharpmaker.
 
i keep my knives sharp with a strop and because of that i never really have to sharpen them but when i do i use sand paper or water stones
 
Calebklyne said:
i keep my knives sharp with a strop and because of that i never really have to sharpen them but when i do i use sand paper or water stones
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this is why i mentioned the strops... some people just use them to keep their blades sharp... no need for stones or anything else...
 
Thanks for all the advise guys. I feel like I've gotten enough info to do my decision making now!
 
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