TGLB... To sharpen, or not to sharpen

BePrepared

BePrepared

Joined
Aug 26, 2010
Messages
4,441
So i got my TGLB yesterday, and it's sharp, but not CRAZY sharp... It shaves, but it won't split a hair.

I am going to take it out this weekend, and run it through its paces, but i can't decide if i want to sharpen it, or just beat it up then refine the edge later.

what would you do?
 
Daredevil said:
What do you want to do with the knife? Chop wood? Cut meat?
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...do surgery?

I see what you're saying. Well, actually my CGBJ came duller than a spoon. But I do wish they were sharpened to the max when they came if only to use that as a gauge for the their capabilities.

-Emt1581
 
An old Emerson trick is a few swipes (dragging/pulling the edge, not pushing it), across cardboard on a flat surface might work. That's how we eliminate the burr on a one sided chisel grind. It might also work here.

Or, do you have a kitchen steel and know how to use it? That will straighten and clean up an edge, but not sharpen it, if that's a possible issue.

But i agree with daredevil, if you're just going to go chop wood, i wouldn't bother. If your going to skin a bison... sharpen it.

Mine is just how you describe, too. Looking at it, it seems to be a pretty thick convex edge, so it's probably ideal for chopping as it is, based on what i've read in these forums. I don't do a lot of chopping, so i'm not an expert there. Those trade off cutting for strength.

More knowledgable folks can correct me if i'm wrong there...
 
Asking what you want to do with it and therefore what sort of edge profile is best ... is'nt as daft as it might appear. Particularly with Infi which will "roll" if the edge is too fine an angle. Do a razor fine edge for meat and avoiding bone and you could get it to work but you need to keep the spine over the edge when cutting to avoid torque from diagonal cuts which can roll the edge.

Personally I would keep a robust angle and take that to shaving sharp. Robust angles don't enable easy feathering of human hair but are the best solution for longevity in the field.

To bring Infi to that "level" look at the convex sharpening kits on the knivesshipfree.com web site ... particularly the leather wood paddle with chrome compound. There are good video's there as to how to use the paddle and it comes with good instructions. Personally I wrap a lot of paracord round the handle and lay it on my thigh and use the paracord to anchor the handle and top of the leather paddle to my thigh so it does'nt move. This is a great way to sharpen whilst sat on the couch watching a bit of TV ... or in the field sat against a tree or fence ... brings an edge back into alignment very well ... and with Infi that is the most likely thing you will need to do after giving the knife a hard work out.
 
There you go. I second peter. I just go here http://stropman.com/Strops_c2.htm. Hope im not breaking another rule already had one warning this week I also knock my shoulders back a little. What do you use to sharpen? I use diamond strones and then go to the strop. Work great for me and what I do with my knives everything.
 
Use it and see how it performs then decide what you want to do with it. I like my big choppers sharp but I don't need them to split hairs.
 
PeterPHWS said:
Asking what you want to do with it and therefore what sort of edge profile is best ... is'nt as daft as it might appear. Particularly with Infi which will "roll" if the edge is too fine an angle. Do a razor fine edge for meat and avoiding bone and you could get it to work but you need to keep the spine over the edge when cutting to avoid torque from diagonal cuts which can roll the edge.

Personally I would keep a robust angle and take that to shaving sharp. Robust angles don't enable easy feathering of human hair but are the best solution for longevity in the field.

To bring Infi to that "level" look at the convex sharpening kits on the knivesshipfree.com web site ... particularly the leather wood paddle with chrome compound. There are good video's there as to how to use the paddle and it comes with good instructions. Personally I wrap a lot of paracord round the handle and lay it on my thigh and use the paracord to anchor the handle and top of the leather paddle to my thigh so it does'nt move. This is a great way to sharpen whilst sat on the couch watching a bit of TV ... or in the field sat against a tree or fence ... brings an edge back into alignment very well ... and with Infi that is the most likely thing you will need to do after giving the knife a hard work out.
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Cool kits, thanks for the lead on that!
 
Well, here's the thing, i have skinners. This is not a skinner. It's going to be used for the larger scale survivalish stuff.

Batoning, chopping, shelter prep, etc.

But i'm not sure that i'm capable of sharpening a knife this expensive with any competence. I can put an edge on most things with my Work Sharp, but it there is absolutely no way to know before i'm done whether the convex will be 20degree or 30

i'm actually very bad at sharpening, but i try :P
 
Have at it with the Work Sharp and see what happens. Never know until you try. Practice makes perfect. Etc.
 
Just keep trying. Then you ll get good and know what works for you. I hair splitting blade looks good on a YouTube video but is only good for fine work like cuting hair. That's what I put on my straight razors. Not my knives and I don't polish my knives as much as I do my razors they to cut different stuff so you need the wright tool for the job. I stronge suggest that you sharpen more and get a strop. And use it to mantain your edge. Then you'll have another life skill.
 
SpyderPhreak said:
Have at it with the Work Sharp and see what happens. Never know until you try. Practice makes perfect. Etc.
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I did what you said.... thank you.

I am now officially 100% certain that there's nothing on the planet like INFI. I don't know what's different, but it's the easiest thing i've ever sharpened with my Work Sharp.

It took a CRAZY edge, and it took about a quarter the time that it normally takes me. It formed a perfect bead with every pass, and the bead polished off to a shaving sharp edge PERFECTLY

I even slipped once and let the wheel tap the body of the blade. It didn't make a MARK on the coating. I LOVE INFI!
 
BePrepared said:
Well, here's the thing, i have skinners. This is not a skinner. It's going to be used for the larger scale survivalish stuff.

Batoning, chopping, shelter prep, etc.

But i'm not sure that i'm capable of sharpening a knife this expensive with any competence. I can put an edge on most things with my Work Sharp, but it there is absolutely no way to know before i'm done whether the convex will be 20degree or 30

i'm actually very bad at sharpening, but i try :P
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Ok, man, i just gotta ask this question, apologies in advance if you take it the wrong way...

You can beat the living cra... crud out of "a knife this expensive," but you're worried about sharpening it?

That's an interesting perspective... ;)

That said, the mantra of todays youth should guide you... "Everything i know about life, i learned on youTube."

Not to say that's a good thing, but hey, there are plenty of sharpening videos out there...

Besides, i doubt that sharpening is considered intentional abuse, so if you screw it up, send it back to Jerry :)
 
If used as described, I would keep the factory edge as long as possible. For me, after each use I touch em up with a strop. If they don't respond to that, one or two passes at the proper angle on the ceramic rod brings it right back to shaving sharp.
The worksharp works fine to re profile the edge, you just need to keep an eye on the tip so you don't round it off.
After getting the hang of the 1x30 belt sander the worksharp hasn't seen much use.
 
Lol. i want it to be pretty when i proceed to beat the living crap out of it. I think i take after the Joker on that one. What's the point of scarring an ugly painting. It's so much more satisfying to abuse a work of art ;)
 
BePrepared said:
Lol. i want it to be pretty when i proceed to beat the living crap out of it. I think i take after the Joker on that one. What's the point of scarring an ugly painting. It's so much more satisfying to abuse a work of art ;)
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Ok, i will admit, i am a little reluctant to sharpen mine, too. They are dang purdy, aren't they!
 
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