Whice way is better, or should I say easier, for free handing on stones. Smooth slicing or swirling in small circles. I have heard of both but have not heard about any pros or cons comparing to the two. Write now all I have are Arkansas stones. A washita, a soft, a hard, and a few strops. The steels I have are 440c, Case CV, and 154cpm. I'm just looking for the easiest way to get the best results without ruining my knives.
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Swirl or Slice
- Thread starter Rob41
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- Joined
- Feb 7, 2008
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- 205
whatever way you feel you can best control the blade to stone angle. try both ways and see which way brings up an even burr or wire edge along the entire length of the blade. then turn the blade over until the burr is removed. then strop on a leather belt or a made strop. thats my opinion. me i use the paper wheel system on a bench grinder.
Hi There,
I've also have seen knives sharpened by drawing the blade in circles on the stone and was intrigued by this method !
It seems to me that drawing the blade across the stone would be more efficient but that depends on the size of the stone. For example a pocket stone on a camping trip. To continue though I also would like some info on this circle method.
I myself though would rather use the paper wheels, best trip in town for someone who has trouble holding the same angle over and over.
But it's what ever floats your boat I guess
All the Best,
Electric
I've also have seen knives sharpened by drawing the blade in circles on the stone and was intrigued by this method !
It seems to me that drawing the blade across the stone would be more efficient but that depends on the size of the stone. For example a pocket stone on a camping trip. To continue though I also would like some info on this circle method.
I myself though would rather use the paper wheels, best trip in town for someone who has trouble holding the same angle over and over.
But it's what ever floats your boat I guess
All the Best,
Electric
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,540
I find it easier to maintain flush bevel-to-stone contact using a swirling/circular motion. It's more effective for me when initially setting and then polishing a new bevel. Once the bevel is set & polished, I'll raise the angle very slightly and use a slicing motion (heel to tip) across the stone to clean up the burr. Then strop after that.
I've always used the small circle method.
I learned that from both my dad and scout master, and it was easy to learn to free hand sharpen that way because you can hold a steady consistant angle.
All I have used to sharpen my pocket knves for many years now is the Eze-lap model L I keep in my wallet, and the back of my belt to strop on when I finish.
I learned that from both my dad and scout master, and it was easy to learn to free hand sharpen that way because you can hold a steady consistant angle.
All I have used to sharpen my pocket knves for many years now is the Eze-lap model L I keep in my wallet, and the back of my belt to strop on when I finish.
You do it the same way as the slice method; you lift up on the handle a bit. Like anythihng, all it takes is practice to get good at it.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
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- 11,601
I like the slice method.
Swirl gives you faster removal of stock since there is little or no "wasted" motion (never lift the knife off the stone and draw it back for the next stroke), but I find that I am unable to maintain a very consistent angle with swirls. I use swirls to produce a convex edge and it works well for me in that capacity.
Swirl gives you faster removal of stock since there is little or no "wasted" motion (never lift the knife off the stone and draw it back for the next stroke), but I find that I am unable to maintain a very consistent angle with swirls. I use swirls to produce a convex edge and it works well for me in that capacity.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
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- 1,957
Slice for me too.
Get some cheap knives, try both methods for a while (don't try them once or twice, but try them for at least a couple of days), and choose one from your experience.
IMHO, different method works for different people, you just have to try both out and go with the one you're most comfortable with.
excellent topic btw ! :thumbup:
Get some cheap knives, try both methods for a while (don't try them once or twice, but try them for at least a couple of days), and choose one from your experience.
IMHO, different method works for different people, you just have to try both out and go with the one you're most comfortable with.
excellent topic btw ! :thumbup:
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
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- 13,540
My preference for the swirling/circular motion came about mainly because I use a small (6") stone, held in my left hand (thumb at one end, a couple fingers at the other, one finger bent underneath the stone for some 'support'), while handling the blade with my right hand. The stone and blade are at such an angle that I can look directly at the edge at the 'seam' of contact with the stone. It just feels natural to 'scrub' the bevel into the stone this way, in a circular fashion. This also limits how close the edge comes to the ends of the stone, which protects my fingertips from cuts. I have managed to catch my fingers in the past, when 'slicing' across and down the length of the stone.
My homemade strop blocks are sized accordingly (about 6"), as I prefer to strop this way too.
I might prefer the slicing/drawcut method if I were using larger stones on a bench, though. Remains to be seen how that'll pan out; haven't made that investment yet.
My homemade strop blocks are sized accordingly (about 6"), as I prefer to strop this way too.
I might prefer the slicing/drawcut method if I were using larger stones on a bench, though. Remains to be seen how that'll pan out; haven't made that investment yet.