Video - How to sharpen knife to "whittling hair" sharp.

[nozh2002]

You mean - How do I know that it is horizontal? At first step when I reprofile it - yes, I rely on my imperfect eyes. Then - when I have edge formed, I look at the mark stones left on the edge to see if it covers all edge surface - you may notice this on video when I check the edge initially after each 5 passes. Also once you pass first 5-10 times - right position is one when you have less resistance while sharpening, it kind of find itself this way - hands just feel it.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Frank Hillary]

You mean - How do I know that it is horizontal? At first step when I reprofile it - yes? I rely on my imperfect eyes. Then - when I have edge formed, I look at the mark stones left on the edge to see if it covers all edge surface - you may notice this on video when I check the edge initially after each 5 passes. Also once you pass first 5-10 times - right position is one when you have less resistance while sharpening, it kind of find itself this way - hands just feel it.

Thanks, Vassili.

I meant what is your reference for having the blade horisontal.

Regards
Frank

 

[lilbuj]

You can use a line level clipped to the blade or the pocket clip on some knifes.

That is how I sharpen.

 

[Frank Hillary]

You can use a line level clipped to the blade or the pocket clip on some knifes.

That is how I sharpen.

Thank you. I thnk then you do not get 30 degrees but something much les. The grind on the knife is about 3 each side. Just have to incriease the angle of block.

Regards
Frank

 

[fmendez]

Well, I do not think many will be able to understand my speaking English and I also target Russian audience as well. So let it be like 100 years old movies... everybody will understand.

Thanks, Vassili.

Vassili,
This is a simple, clear, visual presentation of sharpening a blade.
Thanks

 

[DainBramage]

How long are your DMT stones... 11 inch? Do you think your results would be different, or more difficult to achieve using the 6 inch versions of DMT?

 

[nozh2002]

How long are your DMT stones... 11 inch? Do you think your results would be different, or more difficult to achieve using the 6 inch versions of DMT?

Quite a long - We have conversation some time ago - it was some push for idea that diamonds does not last long - I had there long list of knives I sharpened on this stones (I am not able to search, may be someone may find that thread). I use them very intense for half year or more and reprofile many Busses, get rid of serration on CRKT Apache, removed recurve from ZT302 and Tyrade (just recently) - no sign of wear out. This is no issue - DMT DiaSharp diamonds are way better then anything else on any types of steel - hard and soft does not matter.

With 11.5" you have longer path - so you need to do more moves with 6", but you may have same results for sure, it may take bit longer - that's it.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[nozh2002]

Hmmm... BladeForums does not work - Google does.

Here that theread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522419

CRTK Apache I - ATS34 - removing serration (it takes 15 minutes BTW)
CRTK Apache III - ATS34 - removing serration.
Spyderco Endura ZDP 189
Spyderco Delica ZDP 189
Zero Tolerance - CPM S30V
4 x Busse Game wardens - INFI - very thick edge reprofile them from 40 degree to 30
2 x Busse Active Duty - INFI - thick edge reprofiled to 30
2 x Busse Badger Attack - INFI - thick edge reprofiled to 30
2 x Busse Meaner Street - INFI - thick edge reprofiled to 30
Swamp Rat HRLM - SR101 - thick edge reprofiled to 30
Swamp Rat Ratmandu - SR101 ...
2 x Laury PT (63HRC) - UHB17va
Laury Leuku - UHB17va
2 x M.Calldwell - 154CM
Spyderco Military - CPM 440V
Spyderco Military - CPM S30V
Spyderco Military - BG-42
Cold Steel ODA - 420HC
Buck Strider Solution 888 - ATS34
Marychev Chirok - 95x18

I can easy add another 10 to this list now...

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[DainBramage]

Quite a long - We have conversation some time ago - it was some push for idea that diamonds does not last long - I had there long list of knives I sharpened on this stones (I am not able to search, may be someone may find that thread). I use them very intense for half year or more and reprofile many Busses, get rid of serration on CRKT Apache, removed recurve from ZT302 and Tyrade (just recently) - no sign of wear out. This is no issue - DMT DiaSharp diamonds are way better then anything else on any types of steel - hard and soft does not matter.

With 11.5" you have longer path - so you need to do more moves with 6", but you may have same results for sure, it may take bit longer - that's it.

I believe I've heard that Diasharps don't dish or wear out... that they don't require flattening? Is that what you are saying here? For someone who would prefer not to spend a fortune on waterstones (or the stuff to take care of them!), what would the thinking out there be about getting two of the double sided 6" DMT's (the D6CX (coarse/extra coarse) and D6EF (fine/extra fine)) as their initial setup? If I'm not mistaken, you go through the DMT's and then to the green rouge. Is the X coarse enough for reprofiling, or is that something that SHOULD be done with the XX? I also have a Sharpmaker. How does the E compare to the white rods on a Sharpmaker? Thanks in advance!

 

[krazichinaman]

You make some of the best videos I've seen! Keep up the great work!:thumbup:

 

[BillL]

Vasilli I showed my wife your youtube videos, and she said " this is a young man, look at his hands"

 

[nozh2002]

I believe I've heard that Diasharps don't dish or wear out... that they don't require flattening? Is that what you are saying here?

Is flattening - procedure which you need to do time to time to other stones which wear out so they are not flat any more? Like waterstones?

If so then, yes no flattening because diamonds are glued to steel plate by nickel or something. So they do not wear out this way at all.

But it was some talks about diamonds itself wear out from that plate, especially with soft steel - like soft steel warp around diamond somehow and tear it off the plate. It is hard to imagine for me how it may happen really, but anyway my extensive use does no support that theory.

For someone who would prefer not to spend a fortune on waterstones (or the stuff to take care of them!), what would be the thinking out there be about getting two of the double sided 6" DMT's (the D6CX (coarse/extra coarse) and D6EF (fine/extra fine)) as their initial setup? If I'm not mistaken, you go through the DMT's and then to the green rouge. Is the X coarse enough for reprofiling, or is that something that SHOULD be done with the XX?

Enough or not it is more or less question of personal preference - Extra Extra Coarse is real beast and works very fast, as I sad almost as an belt grinder - in terms of me - I will spend similar time to do same job on grinder, because of all precautions etc...

I also have a Sharpmaker. How does the E compare to the white rods on a Sharpmaker? Thanks in advance!

E is much coarser then Sharpmaker White, IMHO. I think diamonds more aggressive and so impacts steel differently.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[_habit_]

These videos should really help me a lot, thanks Vasilli!

Also, I did not know it was possible to shave a hair!

 

[nozh2002]

These videos should really help me a lot, thanks Vasilli!

Also, I did not know it was possible to shave a hair!

Me too! I found it out by accident, just trying to cut it but slow and it shave it!

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[s.c.]

After watching these vids, I got myself some DMT diasharp stones. I got my VG-10 Delica and my S30v HAK sharper than ever. I still can't get my ZDP mini-cyclone sharp, though. I guess I have to keep practicing. There's a certain peacefulness that is captured in those videos, and I was glad to experience that personally.

 

[nozh2002]

There's a certain peacefulness that is captured in those videos, and I was glad to experience that personally.

Thanks for noticing this! Yes it is very meditative. This is why I refuse to even try loaded paper wheels even it may be more effective - no magic, no synergy, no peacefulness...

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[s.c.]

I meant what is your reference for having the blade horisontal.

Regards
Frank

I just got my diasharps and have never sharpened this way and I was also concerned that I wouldn't be able to keep the blade level throughout the stroke. I simply put a drop of water on the blade to act as a level. The instructions stated to keep the stones wet with water anyway. This worked for me until I got my hands used to the motion.

 

[Broos]

Freehand sharpening is about consistency - pressure, angle, everything consistent. The only angle that matters is the angle between the knife and the stone, and how you keep this consistent is academic. There is no advantage to having tilted stones unless they will help you keep the angle consistent. I have a pretty good idea how a 10 or a 15 or a 20 degree angle looks and feels like, and I prefer to keep a nice bit of water on the stone, so I keep my stones level. For me, it is not any easier to hold a knife horizontal than it is to hold it at 15 degrees - I think the key to consistency is to develop a feel for the angle so you can tell your strokes are consistent just by feel.

 

[nozh2002]

Freehand sharpening is about consistency - pressure, angle, everything consistent. The only angle that matters is the angle between the knife and the stone, and how you keep this consistent is academic. There is no advantage to having tilted stones unless they will help you keep the angle consistent. I have a pretty good idea how a 10 or a 15 or a 20 degree angle looks and feels like, and I prefer to keep a nice bit of water on the stone, so I keep my stones level. For me, it is not any easier to hold a knife horizontal than it is to hold it at 15 degrees - I think the key to consistency is to develop a feel for the angle so you can tell your strokes are consistent just by feel.

Well I have different experience and tilted base helped me a lot. Keep blade horizontal is same as keep spoon horizontal when you eat soup, which I learned from early age.

Second - base lifts stone from the table surface and make more room for hands to move, which is also make sharpening more convinient.

Third you do not neet to look from the top to control sharpening but instead sit in normal position.

Etc...

So of course you can sharpen your knife any way, but this one method is just more easy for me, easy to start ... and well I have solid results to support that my method works. So far I did not see too much whittled hairs from others - may be two and not same as mine...

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[theonew]

So far I did not see too much whittled hairs from others

I'll play:

Bark River Aurora. I have very thin hair too.