Tips on freehand stroke - presentation side edge

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I've decided that I need to really work on my sharpening skills considering I've got a good set of stones (DMT coarse through extra extra fine, Spyderco F & UF), but have avoided any serious sharpening jobs out of concern about my own skill level.

Last night I decided to reprofile and sharpen my Olamic 247, which came with a dull, obtuse edge (and a really bad recurved portion near the heel of the edge). One thing I noticed is that when sharpening the edge on the reverse side of the blade, such that I'm sort of cutting the stone towards me, I'm able to easily hit all of the edge at a consistent angle.

However, my trouble happens when I work on the presentation side edge, especially near the tip. I find the movement much more awkward, and can't really find a way to use the same technique I do when working on the reverse side edge (pinch grip on the handle with right hand, left hand holding the tip). I was trying to lower the angle on the tip but mostly just ended up keeping it the same.

This problem also seems to be exacerbated by smaller knives, like folders. With my gyoto, the movement is far less awkward.

Any tips on this would be highly appreciated!
 
I guess I've been freehanding for 55+ years, it's all I've ever done, and I understand EXACTLY what you're talking about-- and I'm sorry to tell you, but I still find the "presentation" side awkward. But I have found that w/ practice, it gets easier. My brain tells my hand what it wants done-- but it turns out different, right? I find that I have to make 2 purposeful "corrections" that my brain tells me is wrong-- but the edge turns out proper, so I know the correction was the right one, make sense? I find that I have to flatten the sharpening angle a bit more than seems proper, I also have to pay special attention to the tip, as my inclination would be to flatten TOO MUCH there. You're drawing the knife on a SET plane, and as you approach the tip you have to concentrate on the visualization of that plane, lest you stray (and ruin the visuals anyway of the tip).

I've also found that the work is easier-- and the accuracy is better-- when the blade has been removed from the handle (assuming folders). You're "closer" to what's happening-- there's a "feel" you develop that makes things flow better. I think you might find it's worth trying.
 
I've decided that I need to really work on my sharpening skills considering I've got a good set of stones (DMT coarse through extra extra fine, Spyderco F & UF), but have avoided any serious sharpening jobs out of concern about my own skill level.

Last night I decided to reprofile and sharpen my Olamic 247, which came with a dull, obtuse edge (and a really bad recurved portion near the heel of the edge). One thing I noticed is that when sharpening the edge on the reverse side of the blade, such that I'm sort of cutting the stone towards me, I'm able to easily hit all of the edge at a consistent angle.

However, my trouble happens when I work on the presentation side edge, especially near the tip. I find the movement much more awkward, and can't really find a way to use the same technique I do when working on the reverse side edge (pinch grip on the handle with right hand, left hand holding the tip). I was trying to lower the angle on the tip but mostly just ended up keeping it the same.

This problem also seems to be exacerbated by smaller knives, like folders. With my gyoto, the movement is far less awkward.

Any tips on this would be highly appreciated!

Hi,
so what are you doing exactly?
Recently I've been sharpening like this (like Steel_Drake), two handed on a bench, its slow but accurate :D
[video=youtube;oRmcQ-MqbBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRmcQ-MqbBE[/video]
 
You might want to try ambidextrous sharpening: Switching hands when you switch sides. That way you always have the same visual picture of the motion. It sounds like you like the blade edge towards you. So you can do that on both sides. Just switch hands when you switch sides.

If you haven't done this before, it might sound "way too hard". But you will probably be surprised at how quickly your brain mirrors the techniques from left to right. I've found this to be true many times.

You also might learn a little something from reading my Seven Secrets Of Sharpening.

Good luck and good sharpening. :)

Brian.
 
Havent sharpened as long as ryxlyx, but not far from it. Like ya'll, my problem is with the presentation side. If it makes any difference, I'm right handed.
Seems I can mindlessly do even, flat bevels on the non side, but have to really concentrate on the presentation side, otherwise it results in more convex and varying angle, heel to tip.
Thought it was just me, but might be more common than I thought.
 
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