Sharpening Techniques

B

Bobbee9

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
46
How do you all keep your blades tuned up best? Stones, Lansky, Crock stix, leather strap or what? What do you use to test sharpeness? A feel of the blade edge? What is a less subjective test? :)
Bob
 
Hi Bob.

I use a Lansky set which has worked very well indeed for me. It allows me to keep all of my knives very sharp with minimal effort. It took a little bit of practice to get the technique right and to learn to judge edge angles, but once you "get it" it's very straightforward. I have also been looking at the edge pro system which seems like a more expensive, better designed Lansky. When I can justify the outlay I may have to give it a go.
As for testing the edge, like a lot of the members here I have an almost permanently de-forested left arm! If the knife can take the hair off my arm without snagging or pulling then it is sharp enough for me. I've also used the test of shaving strips from a sheet of paper. Usually it's whatever I feel like at the time. You do also develop the knack of "just knowing" when you have reached the correct degree of sharpness. You can kind of see and feel it in your gut. Sounds weird I know, but that's the best way I can think of to explain it.
I'm sure some of the more experienced guys on here will post their methods too. No doubt New Pig Hunter will share his unique method which I have yet to try out.

Hope that helps.
 
I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a leather strop from lee valley tools. After sharpening a few knives you get the hang of when a knife is really sharp just by feeling it. (well at least thats how it was for me) I also get a piece of paper and let it hang down and push the blade into the side of the paper and see if i can push cut the length of the paper smoothly and cleanly without the paper tearing. hope that makes sense.:o
 
I read a great quote from someone who makes knives for a living, that describes me currently...
"after only a few minutes with my special sharpening technique (with freehand stones) the spine of the knife is sharper than the edge I am working on..."

I have a Lansky but haven't used it yet, I have some "lent" knives to try out on it first...:D ;) :eek:
 
I use a Smith's plastic thingie and a mousepad/leather strop w/ micro-fine honing compound.

My "sharp" test is deforesting my forearm.

Cheers,

Carl
 
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