tungsten carbide sharpeners

S

Steven F

Joined
Oct 12, 1999
Messages
1,237
I've read a number of forum postings about sharpening khukuris, but I don't recall reading anything about tungsten carbide sharpeners -- the type that consists of a small "V" that you draw down the edge of the blade. I've talked to a few people who claim that they're the best way to sharpen any kind of blade. But I've talked to others who claim that carbide sharpeners have some serious drawbacks, especially that they remove too much metal.

Being thoroughly confused, I thought I'd throw the question out to my fellow forumites. Anybody got any thoughts about, or experience with, tungsten carbide sharpeners? Thanks for your feedback.
 
Steven,

Initially when I received my WWII model and my BAS, I had been asking the same questions about sharpening. However, when I had some free time on my hands, I tried using the chakma to sharpen my khukuris. I was able to get an edge that was paper shaving sharp. With a little more time and some more experience, I would probably be able to get a razor-sharp edge on my khukuris. The reason I mention this is that I think if you start out with the chakma, it could also improve freehand sharpening skills as well. Of course this is only a theory that I came up with. If any other forumites have had similar experiences to support this and validate my theory, I would like to hear them.

Arvind
 
Khukuries are so thick spined that the pocket ceramic sharpeners are way too narrow. The little carbide V's will work but don't sharpen to my taste for a bragging sharp job. They seem worthwhile to me for a quick touch up in the field, with or without subsequent burnishing with chakma.

As to the amount of metal they remove - light touch, not too bad. My usual employment of them is with a very heavy stroke to hog off as much metal as possible when I get a new not previously edged sword. Once that is done I go to a file to blend blade and edge, then smooth further with coarse hone etc.

Just out of curiousity, though it wouldn't work on the recurve before the cho, I used to have a 3X8" razor hone. Do they still make them? Anyone have any experience with them?

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Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

 
Thanks Rusty and Arvind. One of my khuks arrived without much of an edge, comparatively speaking, so after reading your comments, I think I'll start with the carbide sharpener to get the edge "in the ballpark," then try using the chakma to get it to its final, razor-sharp condition. But I'm going to have to really practice with the chakma, apparently, because when I've tried using them in the past I got nowhere fast. By that I mean I worked and worked but even after what seemed like a long period of time I couldn't tell much difference in the edge. When using the chakma, should I be using it dry or should I be using some kind of oil, spit, whatever? (Before getting into khuks, I never would have thought that just sharpening a knife could get so complicated.) Again, thanks guys.
 
I have used the chakma dry without any kind of lubrication and it has worked without any issues. However I have'nt been able to get an ideal razor-sharp edge yet. I will continue to work on it and let you guys know how I make out on it. I might consider graduating to a steel and then finish off by burnishing if anyone has been able to do this successfully. I was thinking along the lines of an ezlap steel or a dmt steel. If anyone has had success with these, please let me know.

Arvind
 
I have a little keychain type crock stick sharpener that will put a razor edge on my khukuri. It is the exception to the rule that Rusty mentioned and not too little and narrow to do the job. A customer sent it to me maybe a couple of years ago. I don't use it often but when I do it works.

I take the edge up as far as I can with my cheap stone and finish with the little sharpener.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Just thought i'd put my two cents in. I worked in a meat packing plant for 4 years and proubably sharpened away more blades than the average person ever owns.Not bragging just stating a fact that we went thru knives regularly. The chakma works as a steel does for the butcher. It really does not sharpen as in putting on a new edge but realines the burr on the edge. does not need wetting , but should be kept smooth and free of nicks . To actualy sharpen I've had good luck with the syderco tri angle system or the DMT fine diomond sharpener. If your not use to freehand sharpening , the Lanskey system is prouboly your best bet. There have been other threads on sharpening that will give you some good pointers.
 
Many thanks for the imput, ice. It is interesting to know. I had a pal who was a butcher and how many knives he sharpened down to nothing I'd hate to say but hundreds, I'd guess. He was a butcher for almost 60 years.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
I have very little experience with the tungston carbine sharpeners you are describing. The one that I tried involved the abrasive in two beveled rollers. This apparatus gouged the blade I tried it on.

The disadvantage of this system seems to be that you can only sharpen the primary bevel.

Getting a ceramic stone (I use the Spyderco but cheaper ones will work just as well) and free hand will get better results. You might scratch the khukuri the first few times but once you get the nack for it the khukuri will always be sharpened razor sharp.

Try using the chakma at a higher angle say 35-40 degree with very light pressure. Also, you can usually feel a burr on the edge where it is misaligned.

Check out the sharpening FAQ and khukuri FAQ as well for great advice.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 16 November 1999).]
 
I use a bucther`s 14" steel.You will seldom go to the stones if you just maintain the edge.
 
Will,

What grit of spyderco stone do you use? I noticed that Spyderco sells ceramic whetstones in three grits: Medium grit, Fine grit and Ultra fine grit. Also, how does the grit affect sharpening?

Arvind
 
Rusty, I believe you are referring to the Razor Edge Company 3x8" stone. They still make them, also offering a 2x6" model. I have a couple of these 2x6s, one coarse, one fine. I've used them on my khukuri, and while still difficult on the recurve, they do pretty well. For best results, I worked up a burr on both sides with the coarse stone, then used the fine stone, and finished up with the Raz-R Steel. Any butcher's steel could be substituted. My method got my khukuri shaving sharp (except on the recurve). Ghostsix is right, the butcher's steel is good for touching up an already mildly sharp edge.

Bob

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Hunchcha!

[This message has been edited by Big Bob (edited 17 November 1999).]
 
Rusty, the Razor edge Company still makes 3x8 stones. I use two 2x6 stones (one coarse, one fine) along with a Raz-R Steel. Works pretty good.

I just made an early post about this, but it has vanished. Hopefully, it will turn up.
 
Arvind,

When the knife is new I either use the dark ceramic stone from the Spyderco kit or the course stone from the Lansky. I find that I can develop a burr faster with the dark ceramic stone, it is courser and removes metal faster. I don't know what grit it is.

After the first sharpening the knife is maintained with the chakma. When the knife requires sharpening again, the white stone is sufficient.

The dark stone seems to produce a better cutting edge (better for slicing stuff). It is rougher but a shaving sharp edge is easily obtained with the dark stone.

As many have mentioned if a steel (or the chakma) is used to maintain the edge it will last a long time before a stone is required.

Will
 
Arvind, I told you the experts would be around to help you.

For whatever it is worth I have seen Pala struggle for a half hour with a chakma to get a keen edge on a khukuri. Then I have also seen him take a cheap knife and stick it right onto the grinder and edge it is 30 seconds. Maybe it is a case of the right tool.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Will,

Thank you for your help. As I had mentioned to Kaka Bill earlier, one day when I had some time on hand I sat down with both my 16.5 inch WWII and my BAS and sharpened both using the chakma. I found I was able to get an edge that when cutting paper, I was able to cut somewhat successfully. I also tested using my thumb and found that the edge gripped my thumb pad well. However I guess it was a case of time and patience because my reason for asking was because since that time, I have struggled with the chakma and have'nt been able to improve on the edge that I had made. I think what I will do is to get the coarse stone from spyderco as you recommend and to use that later on as it needs sharpening again and then to continue with the chakma as needed.

Kaka, you were absolutely right. The experts are definitely there to help and I'm extremely grateful to them for their time and patience in helping me out..

Arvind
 
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