Sharpening Tanto Zaan

[DRLyman]

I received my new tanto Zaan this past weekend. I have been trying to do as much research as I can on the best way to sharpen the knife. I have never had a tanto blade before. I have sharpened my 3 Inkosi knives and 2 Ti-Locks and they have came out beautiful. I am using the KME sharpening system. I also own the Spyderco Sharpmaker. The last thing I want to do is screw up this blade.

In searching, I have came across a few recommendations including just using the Sharpmaker only, only sharpen the main blade and leave the other alone on the Sharpmaker, only use a strop. I did find this video, and wondered what your opinions are on using the KME this way. Here is a link to the video:

I am also looking for any more tips you may have for sharpening this kind of blade. I have read and read on the subject. I feel the more info I have, the better.

 

[BD_01]

Subd. I'm also curious to hear what folks say on the topic. Given the sexyness of the Reeve tanto grind, I was just planning on a spa visit when necessary.

 

[DRLyman]

Subd. I'm also curious to hear what folks say on the topic. Given the sexyness of the Reeve tanto grind, I was just planning on a spa visit when necessary.

The thing in the video that makes me think twice is that the knife was never moved to do the end of the blade. I would think that it would make the angle different than the main blade. I don't know if that would make a big difference or not. It doesn't look bad, though.

 

[unwisefool]

I generally use an old belt with a little bit of compound or a round ceramic chefs rod.

 

[TRfromMT]

I have a tanto 'zaan. I consider myself a novice sharpener. I can get my personal knives to hair shaving, paper slicing sharp on the spyderco sharpmaker - which for me is a fantastic result I am really happy with. It absolutely thrills me to easily get my knives this sharp. I've had my sharpmaker for about 6 months, and have sharpened about 10 knives on it, some knives once, some knives 2-3 times. So I have maybe 20 knives across my sharpmaker. I didn't hesitate to jump right in on what I considered a premium knife. Maybe I'm naive that way...

Then comes the tanto. At first I thought for sure I would mess it up. I only use the flat sides because I wanted to be very sure not to roll the first "point" (the corner between the main edge and the tanto edge). I can honestly say it was not a problem whatsoever. I next transitioned to the tanto edge, and I just had to get comfortable holding the knife to get the edge to stone correct. I hold the knife like a pencil, and only work on the flat of the tri-rod (not the corner). Here again, no issue what so ever. I can shave with the tanto edge and I have not rolled the transition corner or the very tip.

From my experience, sharpening the tanto is almost as easy as sharpening any other blade on the sharpmaker.

If you are at all concerned, buy a junker tanto at a gas station dispaly and figure out how to hold it and work around the corner and the tip. Once you have the hang of it, go for it on the CRK.

If I can do it....

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I don't know if there is a proper way or a better way but for me I use ceramic stones and or ceramic rods and just sharpen the main edge slowly coming to where edges meet and then grip the blade and just sharpen the front edge again slowly as I come to where they meet and then give both edges a similiar stroping and its worked great for me

 

[DRLyman]

I generally use an old belt with a little bit of compound or a round ceramic chefs rod.

I have a tanto 'zaan. I consider myself a novice sharpener. I can get my personal knives to hair shaving, paper slicing sharp on the spyderco sharpmaker - which for me is a fantastic result I am really happy with. It absolutely thrills me to easily get my knives this sharp. I've had my sharpmaker for about 6 months, and have sharpened about 10 knives on it, some knives once, some knives 2-3 times. So I have maybe 20 knives across my sharpmaker. I didn't hesitate to jump right in on what I considered a premium knife. Maybe I'm naive that way...

Then comes the tanto. At first I thought for sure I would mess it up. I only use the flat sides because I wanted to be very sure not to roll the first "point" (the corner between the main edge and the tanto edge). I can honestly say it was not a problem whatsoever. I next transitioned to the tanto edge, and I just had to get comfortable holding the knife to get the edge to stone correct. I hold the knife like a pencil, and only work on the flat of the tri-rod (not the corner). Here again, no issue what so ever. I can shave with the tanto edge and I have not rolled the transition corner or the very tip.

From my experience, sharpening the tanto is almost as easy as sharpening any other blade on the sharpmaker.

If you are at all concerned, buy a junker tanto at a gas station dispaly and figure out how to hold it and work around the corner and the tip. Once you have the hang of it, go for it on the CRK.

If I can do it....

I don't know if there is a proper way or a better way but for me I use ceramic stones and or ceramic rods and just sharpen the main edge slowly coming to where edges meet and then grip the blade and just sharpen the front edge again slowly as I come to where they meet and then give both edges a similiar stroping and its worked great for me

Lots of good info here. I think I may try using the Sharpmaker once again, but this time also do the tanto edge holding the knife like a pencil as suggested. The knife is not dull, I just got it a week ago. It goes through zip ties at work without any problems and hardly any force pulling the knife back towards me when I cut them. It's not hair shaving sharp, though.

I keep looking at my KME and debating on trying it with that. So far, I have only sharpened 10 or so knives with it, so I keep telling myself to do more of them to get more used to the feel of it and how it works best before experimenting with this tanto blade. I think I will pick up one or two cheap tanto blades and give it a go on them first. That was a very good idea.

Thanks for the info, guys. I appreciate the help and suggestions.