Video of first time sharpening on paper wheel - feedback requested

F

fierostetz

Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
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If a different camera angle would make it better to see something, let me know. It was my first run on the paper wheel. I'm getting a sharp but inconsistent edge; the knife I sharpened in the video is a piece of Junk a friend of mine brought back from Argentina. It's never used because the blade hits the pins when closed (ha!) so it made a good practice knife. I have determined that the paper wheel is not ideal for sharpening an opinel, but it did a marvelous job on a gerber profile. Again, this vid is from my first run - any feedback at all would be much appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKIC2Q9_g5o

Was filmed in 720p @ 60fps so as not to miss any motion; if a 1080p clip would be more helpful, let me know. I've got the capability to do high-res high-fps footage if required.

If anyone's interested, the camera is from my motorcycle, a GoPro HD Hero with the suction cup mount, stuck to the window in front of my mobile sharpening bench. Harbor Freight 6" buffer (like 40 bucks) and a set of paper wheels from woodcraft. I can also provide close-up pictures of a knife I've finished - I'm having a hard time keeping the edges consistent along the straights; the curves seem to be fine though.
 
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A tip for an even edge; Once you start sliding the knife across the wheel, NEVER go back the other way. Always complete the stroke, using steady pressure, and consistent speed.
 
Interesting. I use a different technique to helps me keep a good consistent angle.

First, I have the wheels turning away from me and I sharpen with the edge pointing away from me.

Second, I've marked angles on the wheels so I can use a position guide to keep me true on every stroke. I hold the knife as flat as possible and use the curve of the wheel for the angles.

Third, my eyes are right above the contact line so my strokes are as close to the ideal line as possible.

paper_wheel_guide.jpg


As long as the fat vertical bolded line on the wheel is at 90 degrees, my markings will be consistent.
 
Lift the tip off the wheels in the middle of the wheel.

Don;t pull it off the edgde.

You'll round the tips that way.

OBTW, call Richard j
 
Had the same issue when I first tried the wheels. I also switched the buffer around in order to sharpen away from me. Seems much more consistent now. Maybe because my arms aren't extended.
 
:D

I think a bit of the hand unsteadyness came from moving a big stack of APC server backup batteries too- my hands were rubbery anyways.

Thanks for the feedback! Is the camera angle/placement good enough for it to show technique?
 
I think it looks good... my only comment would be that it appears you let the knife 'drift' down the polish wheel as you worked around the belly toward the tip... which I didn't see you do on the abarsive wheel. But your technique looked otherwise smooth and it looked like you used a light touch... both very important techniques.

cbw
 
fierostetz, have you checked out my vids? (how big is the vid you made? the way i set up security on my pc, i cant watch vids on line) if you want some help with sharpening on the wheels, i'll be glad to give you a call if you email me your number (if you live in the states or canada where i can call for free). fill out your profile too if you get a chance.

check out my paper wheel thread and tips page too. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787 paper wheel thread
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608864 paper wheel tips thread
 
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When I first got my wheels I had them turning towards me. I got good results but it wasn't until I turned the wheels around that I got comfortable and got better results. I've left it this way and now I get stellar results. One thing, just watch how far up you take the spine of the blade when getting towards the tip. It took me a good while to get an even edge all the way to the tip. It just takes practice and time.
 
I can work up a burr just fine via my beltsander and take if off with the polishing wheel, but I'll be damned if I can get a nice clean end to end grind with the grit wheel.
Richard, I'm reviewing the links you posted again; I'd read them before getting the wheels, but now that I have them there's added relevance.

I should send you my camera so you can record a knife sharpening, then we can get you up on youtube in full HD :)

I've walked away for the time being; being frustrated while doing this stuff leads to injuries; that coupled with a lot of recent stress at work means I can walk away for a bit. (IT is a ridiculously stressful field - i kinda hate it)
 
I'd like to picture richardj talking like the vince guy from the slapchop commercials while demonstrating the paper wheels. :)

Anywho, RichardJ; I've perused your site and found a few videos of you slicing stuff, is that the video content to which you were referring? Alternatively I followed links back to your "old" site and found links to youtube of a guy sharpening, but all I could see was a hand.
 
I call for more, closer and clearer, RichardJ vids! Come on Rich, hook us up! :)
 
dsmegst said:
Interesting. I use a different technique to helps me keep a good consistent angle[TRUNCATED BY FIEROSTETZ]
Click to expand...

My apologies, I forgot to thank you for posting your visual - once I stepped back from my computer and could figure out what it was it helps :) (My desk has 3x24 inch monitors and I was just too close to that pic to figure out what it was without some distance there!)
 
I would suggest centering your body infront of the wheel you are working on. It looks like you were reaching for the buffing wheel, and you were holding the knife closer to the 12 O'clock position instead of the 1 O'clock position you used on the grit wheel.

+1 for richardj in HD if possible. :)
 
fierostetz said:
My apologies, I forgot to thank you for posting your visual - once I stepped back from my computer and could figure out what it was it helps :) (My desk has 3x24 inch monitors and I was just too close to that pic to figure out what it was without some distance there!)
Click to expand...

:o My MS Paint skills leaves much to be desired. There are a lot of skilled folks here and I've learned a lot in a year. I went from barely being able to shave arm hair to whittling hair. I couldn't have done it w/o help from this forum. Good luck.
 
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