The Smarts Behind The Stupidity

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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Hey Ban,
I really like your stuff, bro. Can you (or did you... link please) tell us a bit about your "stupid" sharpening process?:D

Rick
 
Rick,

One of these days I will do a sharpening video or maybe a photo essay. I have taught my technique to a few people including Jeremy Horton, Mrpink, Norcalblacktail, and few others.

The process is quite easy if you are adept with a belt grinder.

Things you will need

120 grit belt
220 grit belt
Coarse Scotchbrite belt
Fine Scothbrite belt
Leather Belt and Green Compound.

Sharpen a V edge using the 120 grit then follow it with a 220 grit belt and knock off majority of the shoulder.

Use the coarse scotchbrite to continue knocking off the shoulder and slowly form the convex. A coarse scotchbrite is good for this because it cuts fairly decently and also naturally convex the edge because it is unstructured. Try doing a true V edge with one and you will see that it has the tendency to round the edges. Keep at it with the coarse scotchbrite until you are satisfied with the convex geometry which will vary from large knives to smaller knives.

NOTE: Be careful with this part because a decent amount of heat can be generated from this portion of the sharpening. Start off slow to get the hang of it and have some water handy to cool the blade. This is the slowest and also the most important step.

Follow the above process with the fine scotcbrite.

Finally, strop the hell out of it with the leather belt using green compound and it should pop hair like nobody's business. I start off using alot of pressure to do the majority of the polishing. Then I slowly finesse the alternating strokes towards to the end to prevent myself from increasing the angle and rolling over the edge.

It takes me on average of 20-30mins to sharpen a knife this way initially. But once set it in... I usually just have to hit it with the leather belt for a few seconds to retouch the blade.

Hope this helps.
 
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Thanks Ban,
I use a very similar technique when working on the belt grinder. When I say similar... I mean almost IDENTICAL.... Ha! Just like with personal gear, it is funny how when individuals choose to take something as far as they can go, they usually gravitate toward the same equipment set up and technique. I don't have to feel one of your blades to know they are properly worked and stupid sharp... your process tells all.

I also like to finish edges on waterstones. I was taught by Master Smith, Wally Hayes who was taught the traditional Japanese way. You can achieve crazy sharpness this way, too..... My final strop is somewhere in the nieghborhood of 60,000 grit.

I look forward to a video/essay from you, sir.

Rick
 
I have a fair collection of various diamond stones, waterstones, and strops as well. Sharp things and making things sharp have always been a passion of mine since I was a kid.
 
Ok, you have shared the sharpening bit (I do all most the same)
Now we would like to know how you achieve the finish on your blades :p
Richard
 
If I am not mistaken, Ban uses a beadblasted finish with a highly polished edge and accents.... but I'm not too experienced outside the rough-forged look... lol.

Whatever his method is... he certainly has a great look.


Rick
 
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Tinbasher said:
Ok, you have shared the sharpening bit (I do all most the same)
Now we would like to know how you achieve the finish on your blades :p
Richard
Click to expand...

You cant expect the man to give away all his secrets. Bans frosty finishes are one of the things that set his knives apart from the rest.
 
Ban's knives have got to some of the sharpest knives i have ever encountered, hands down... these things are insanely sharp..:eek: not to mention the fact that is his work is incredibly clean...:)
 
Tinbasher said:
Ok, you have shared the sharpening bit (I do all most the same)
Now we would like to know how you achieve the finish on your blades :p
Richard
Click to expand...

Yes, you would....wouldn't yah????:p

Rick Marchand said:
If I am not mistaken, Ban uses a beadblasted finish with a highly polished edge and accents.... but I'm not too experienced outside the rough-forged look... lol.
Whatever his method is... he certainly has a great look.

Rick
Click to expand...

Everyone thinks that I bleadblast my knives with some sort of media. Tinbasher thinks so as well ;)
Put water on my frosty finish and it will bead water. Do that to a bead blasted blade and see what happens. My frosty satin hides small minor scratches very well and also helps against rust and corrosion.

I wasn't even aware that others out there are using a similar sharpening method. I learned it through trial and error. I would like to hear how you guys came up with yours and your variation.
 
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I'm not familiar with modern finishes, Ban... perhaps a spray weld of some sort?.... whatever you are doing, it works, buddy!

Best success!!!

As far as my belt grinder sharpening method...

It most likely evolved the way yours did.

- I realized that thinner was better and that if I combined geometries and "feathered" them together, I could tune the performance to suit my needs.
- I used 120 and 240 to establish my primary bevel (whether it is full convex or near flat)
- I learned that the 3M Scotchbrites worked the edges evenly and didn't "warp" like others did in slack belt mode.
- It was very apparent in testing and made sense that a highly polished edge held up better in use and was easier to maintain with light stroping.

.... sound familiar?

As to my stone sharpening... I am currently documenting that process and will release it in the new year.

Rick
 
Maybe you should send me a knife to examine, then I can have a more edjucated opinion.

I can't say I've had the pleasure of handling one of your knives.
 
Awesome Ban, thanks for posting a great writeup on your process. :thumbup: I thought a leather belt might be one of the later steps!
 
tradja said:
Awesome Ban, thanks for posting a great writeup on your process. :thumbup: I thought a leather belt might be one of the later steps!
Click to expand...

You are welcome. BTW, your sharpening videos are awesome! Such a great help to folks just getting into the convex sharpening.
 
tradja said:
Awesome Ban, thanks for posting a great writeup on your process. :thumbup: I thought a leather belt might be one of the later steps!
Click to expand...

Tradja... I really enjoyed your PCT thread. That was so cool. I am a backcountry hunter and was actually in the Red Trinities a couple weeks before you. I hope to one day do the PCT too. Thanks for the inspiration.
 
norcalblacktail said:
Tradja... I really enjoyed your PCT thread. That was so cool. I am a backcountry hunter and was actually in the Red Trinities a couple weeks before you. I hope to one day do the PCT too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Click to expand...

Umm... what is PCT? Is that some sort of secret code?:confused:
 
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