Tell me if this is correct use of hone

Capt. Carl

Capt. Carl

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
1,632
I have the razoredge fine and course hone and I have been holding it in my hand, base above the palm and the sides of my pinky and index gripping the sides of the hone. I do the standard heel to tip sharpening method but it seems I keep taking off lots of metal from the base of the knife and the belly (using a SAK btw). I guess that is just something I will have to tweak.
Anyhow I heard these stones are overpriced which sucks for me but still, are these stones all I am going to need? I kind of wish that I kept my sharpmaker to touch up my good knives while I get proficient at freehand.

stonefn6.jpg
 
are you using the course or the fine side? for a NIB SAK you really only need a couple of light swipes on a fine hone to make the edge really pop. if you want to make the edge bevel wider (and the edge thinner because of this) you might want to take it to the course...but you may not even need it because SAKs are pretty easy to grind.

it sounds like you are not sharpening the tip of the knife. this could be due to poor form, so to speak. are you lifting the end of the handle as you get off of the flat portion of the blade towards the edge? i didn't figure out that little twist until recently, and it has really made a difference in terms of getting the curve of the tip sharp, as opposed to letting it stay dull.

if this isn't the problem you are having, then disregard that last bit.
 
Course, I want to practice re-beveling the knife. I do follow the curve of the knife when I stroke. The problem actually isn't the tip, it is the middle of the blade, which is quite weird. I guess it's just one of those things I'll just have to improve on. I probably am giving the base and belly/tip too much "time" on the stone so to speak.
 
I would really like to know: am I holding it correctly in the picture?

Edit: I got it shaving (roughly) sharp. I managed to correct my situation with the burr too. Thanks Siguy for the tip, I understood what you were saying while I was honing. Instead of following the curve too much to get the tip, turn up the knife's handle while keeping the angle the same to hit the area around the tip.
 
Hi Capt. In my opinion their is no Wrong way to hold the stone,some use them on a bench or table others like me hold them while sharpening,I have larger hands and usually hold the sharpening stone between thumb and birdfinger,LOL even if Im the only one works for me! As long as you can keep the angle consistent it makes no difference.

Some blades like alox sak's and especialy some stockmans have alot of bend in the blade which makes it hard to get an even bevel with a stone.But it is easy to over sharpen the middle of the blade,as it see's the most contact with the stone.

Most people don't like sharpening with the edge trailing but it works well for me when reprofiling,It just seems easier to control,but I always finish the edge leading so I get a clean edge.
 
Good to hear, I am making progress with this freehand. I am really enjoying it so far! A lot more mediative and rewarding than using a sharpmaker. Definitely a VERY useful skill. Hell, eventually if I am in need in the wilderness I can even use something like a flat rock to hone my edge! Can't wait to hone my skill as well.

Thanks!
 
Yea it takes a some practice but once you really get the feel for it you can sharpen you favorite blade with your eyey closed,,,but don't LOL.:eek:

And since you mentioned it sand stone from a stream works pretty good,just flaten it out with the back of your blade or another stone,kinda makes a paste and actually leaves a pretty usable edge.....Im into knives a little to much I think.:o
 
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