tell me about sharpening blade tips

Joined
Oct 24, 2004
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Using a stone or a Sharpmaker, I have questions about how to prevent the tip from getting blunted, and more importantly, how to sharpen a blade tip if it is a bit blunt.

Your "tips" are appreciated.
 
It's easy to blunt a tip by rolling it off the corners. To prevent this use only the flats on the tip and *go slowly and methodically* keeping the edge parallel to the rods.

To fix an already blunted tip you may need to reprofile on a stone or sandpaper that is courser that what the Sharpmaker offers. This may also entail running the spine near the tip over sandpaper to remove some of the rounding. This method also works for tips that are dinged or chipped. If the tip is severely damaged I have used files to reprofile. You end up with a different but still useable blade profile.
 
Thanks for the tips on tips! I am using a poor quality, horn handled Oaxaca knife to learn and practice on, so no harm done either way :) I had been doing some freehand sharpening and noticed I had blunted the tip somewhat and that is a good excuse to learn from you all so it doesn't happen with "real" knives.
 
cognitivefun said:
I had been doing some freehand sharpening and noticed I had blunted the tip somewhat

That can happen if you don't keep the tip edge *parallel with the stone.* Good idea using a beater to practice with. I've put more than a few scratches that I regreted on otherwise pristeen blades :grumpy:.
 
on the sharpmaker - I have never had a problem with ddulling the tip - but I pull the blade fairly quickly straight towards me - continuing past the stones. I think if you try to stop too soon - then the tip will come into contact with the sharpmaker rods as you move your hand for the nextr stroke.

To be honest with you - I've never understood how the sharpmaker could dull a tip if used as directed. It gets my knives scary sharp from tang to tip no problem. :confused:
 
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