Sharpening??

dutch_0311

dutch_0311

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What is the best tool (or method) to use when sharpening a knife?
 
best or fastest???

i would have to say best would be a hand stone and then a leather strop with buffing compound on it to finish.

fastest i think a worn 400 grt. belt then flip the belt or a nother worn 400 grt. belt with rouge on it to finish

www.takachforge.com
 
How about sharpening tools like Benchmade, CRKT and other major knife companies offer. Do they work good or are they a waist of money?
 
im young but still kinda old fashioned i like the old way better to me you have better control of what your doing when doing it by hand. though i have never used those sharpeners im just more comfortable doing things by hand, just my opinion what ever works for you is really what it comes down to.

there is a good thread going on right now on sharpening myths and facts check it out.
 
the cardboard wheels have to be the fastest way that i have found. i had a system similar to a lansky that i gave away once i bought a set of wheels and learned how to use them. with the wheels, you can have several knives sharp in the time it takes to do one on a lansky or by hand.
 
i also use a similar system to the card board wheels but it varies alittle cause i think those wheels are to hard and cut to fast
 
Dutch, after grinding the main edge on my knives (with belt grinder 220 grit) I use a simple Lansky with 9" crock sticks to back bevel with medium and then final edge with fine sticks. It works very well for me, but the "best" sharpening method is subjective as hell. You've got guys on here who have years of experience who might advocate a system that requires a good deal of skill and others, like me, who are at a very basic level:o The Lansky crock sticks are easily worth what they cost, to me, but others hate them, maybe as much as I hate using honing stones (I suck with them, but will probably give them another try once I get the basics down better on the grinder). I'm sure more experienced folks will chime in here or point you to other threads with suggestions. This question comes up fairly often, so you should find a load of other threads from the past if you do a search on it.

Good luck,

Dave
 
I've used a Arkansas stone for years with no problem,but recently picked up a sharpmaker & I really like it for touching up.
 
I use a bass pro shops ceramic rods that are about 25 years old. They'll sharpen most any knife to the point you can shave a sleeping mouses butt without him waking up.
 
atakach said:
im young but still kinda old fashioned i like the old way better to me you have better control of what your doing when doing it by hand. though i have never used those sharpeners im just more comfortable doing things by hand, just my opinion what ever works for you is really what it comes down to.

there is a good thread going on right now on sharpening myths and facts check it out.

www.takachforge.com
Click to expand...



I'm a bit older and grew up with Stones, Steel and Oil. Sometimes I will use sander but not often. The best way to learn to sharpen by hand is on a cheap blade with reasonably good steel. Kitchen knives work well, have a look at Old Hickory knives. Flea markets can be another good source for cheap knives. Or raid you moms kitchen ;)

Don't be in a hurry, short cuts will lead to disappointment and disaster.

Once you comfortable with your work then tackle your nice knife. Hand sharpened knives have more charactor at least to me.


Stones I recommend:
Arkansas soft/medium
Arkansas Fine

Dan's Whetstone Co. has a very good selection as well as a lot of info.
http://www.danswhetstone.com/


Japanese Water stones
Have not bought any in awhile so can't recommend anyplace but I have and use the following combination stone from Sun Tiger
1000/6000 grit





Good Luck :thumbup:
 
bors when i said young i didn't mean young enough to steal knives from my moms kitchen. haha but i know what you mean i started collecting knives at 6 and i would sit in my bedroom and sharpen them and clean and polish them regularly.
 
I think this thread ended up in the wrong forum. Try browsing around in the "toolshed" and you will find lots of suggestions.
 
atakach said:
bors when i said young i didn't mean young enough to steal knives from my moms kitchen. haha but i know what you mean i started collecting knives at 6 and i would sit in my bedroom and sharpen them and clean and polish them regularly.
Click to expand...

I didn't think you were that young ;)

LOL Moms kitchen was a great resource when I was growing up...:D
 
this may show what little I know, but for some of my knives my arkansas stones work good, and for some other knives my chinese water stone is excellent. for all of them I keep up an honest edge with my ceramic rod. when I really take my time to do a great job I also strop with a magnesium compound... the edge litterally becomes mirror finish.
 
Dutch -

There are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of methods, tools, and sources for sharpening.

They all have one fundamental thing in common though - "the burr" - once you get that, your on your way man!

It will save you a lot of time and frustration if you just go ahead and buy "The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening" by Juranitch

Tons of pictures and illustrations etc - and he delivers his methods in an extremely easy to understand way - gifted writer.

I used to think that it was some super incredible thing to get a killer edge - then I learned in his book that he even taught his daughters ( they were like 9 & 10 I think) to get a knife so sharp they shaved their dad with it..

Point was once you understand the basics - it takes the guess work out of it.
From there you can then experiment with whatever stones/system or rods etc will get you to the end result ASAP.

Please forgive me if I am insulting your inteligence by this post, I just remember a few years ago searching and searching to find how to get an edge that would shave, and stay shaving sharp.

The kind folks on this forum suggested the book - I bought it - and God allowed it to give me the instruction I needed to make a blade give me the best of it's potential.

Take it easy & welcome to Blade Forums.:thumbup:
 
Thanks Barrabus, I will check that book out. I have always had some hesitancy when it comes to sharpening my knives out of fear of ruining the edge.
 
muntag451 said:
this may show what little I know, but for some of my knives my arkansas stones work good, and for some other knives my chinese water stone is excellent.
Click to expand...


I've found this to be true also, some knives sharpen easy with Arkansas stones and others well, you might as well be using a sheet of glass..


I use a Sharpmaker for edge touch up on a few of my EDC knives. Works well :thumbup:
 
have a professional sharpen your knives, then you can maintain with the sharpmaker, or start with a dmt course stone then, finish with a sharpmaker.
 
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