What do you guys use to sharpen your knives?

B

BowieForTheKill

Joined
May 26, 2012
Messages
36
I have my Ontario SP10 Marine Raider and I see many people who have a razor sharp edge on it, however, I cannot seem to get it that sharp. Maybe I just suck at sharpening. What things should I buy to try to get a razor edge on it? I was thinking about buying the Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker for about $54 on Amazon. Any have any experience with this? Also, does anyone know of any preset sharpeners (like the smiths pocket pal) that can get a knife razor sharp? Sorry that I ask so many questions....Lol.
 
My advice would be to get the Sharpmaker. I tried a couple cheaper sharpeners with poor results. I can get a pretty good edge using the Spyderco Sharpmaker.
 
If you got the money, a wicked edge or edge pro apex will be more than enough to get those scary edges you want!
 
I use coarse DMT and sand paper for very dull edges and extra grinding. It just takes too much effort to do this on the sharpmaker's coarse rods. Once the edge is relatively sharp I'll start using my sharpmaker to finalize the edge moving from coarse to fine then extra fine rods. It can take a little practice to really fine razor edge but the sharpmaker is an easy system once you're use to it.

Alternatively, I've heard good things about the work sharp and I'm looking into getting that eventually.

It can be a little tricky sharpening larger knives on the sharpmaker. I can use it on my 8" chef knife and I've also used it to sharpen other people's kitchen knives. Still have yet to try it on my becker bk7 though.
 
Last edited:
A belt sander and a little skill will get any knife scary sharp.

And do so in a rapid fashion.




Big Mike
 
Various grits of sandpaper, crock sticks, freehand with Spyderco Ultrafine rod, and 400 grit diamond stone.
 
Free hand sharpening on stones is the way to go, and it also means you love your knives more because systems like wicked edge get the job done too fast which means less love for the knife. Just the way I see it. Whetstones are the only way for me.














































youtube to mp3
 
BowieForTheKill said:
I realize this is posted in the wrong forum...whoops sorry.
Click to expand...

No problem! I put it in Maintenance now.
You got a few really good suggestions and no bad ones! :)
I just used my Sharpmaker tonight, on a knife that tends to develop a serious burr.
It reminded me that the Sharpmaker needs experience just like any other system. Patience and good advice!
 
There was a thread with a video not too long ago where magnanimous showed how to get a pretty sharp edge on a knive with a piece of concrete, a coffee mug, and a pair of jeans. Personally i think its best to learn how to sharpen by hand first, because it will serve you well for the rest of your life, THEN get a sharpener just to make life easy. Just my opinion.

I personally have lost my desire to buy any sharpening equipment since i learned to sharpen with practically no store bought tools at all (except for my stropman mini strop, i love that thing :), it will take a working edge to a whole new level).
 
I have a belt sander with 100 grit belts to start off then take it to 220 then med strop compound (white) on a stropman strop then fine (green).
 
Freehand on bench stones. My work horse stone is a Norton IB8. I also have a Spyderco ceramic (fine) to refine knives with the super steels.

Ric
 
Freehand is the way to go in the beginning IMO.
Learning about the geometry of an edge and the angles at which you need to sharpen are very important concepts for someone who uses their knives and needs to maintain a good edge.
My routine begins with the Course, Fine, Extra Fine DMT...Spyderco Fine and Extra Fine ceramic stones, followed by a loaded strop and plain strop.
I have shaving sharp edges, but i always feel like i missed a spot or feel a micro chip, so im hardly ever satisfied for long.
The Sharpmaker may be a good start because Sal gives you some great guidelines in the DVD included.
Good luck and don't forget your bandaids :)
 
Here is a picture of what I use, cheap dimond stone, cheap oil stone, and a big ceramic stick. It does the job but I want to get that scary edge, should I get a Edge Pro Apex?
IMG_0766_zps73eb535f.jpg
 
just some basics, a double sided (fine/medium) grit Spyderco stone (2009), a cheap $2 ceramic rod, and a viking whetstone thing, It's jasper I believe (for the final step in sharpening) and the BM kit n lube, the eraser is for removing the metal from the stones, works great! I have been doing it free hand all of my life, I think it's a great skill to learn!
I would like to get a heavy grit stone for really dull knives, that is about the only thing I can't do right now. I try to kee my knives all sharp and never let them get to that very dull stage.

9BDzcu3s.jpg


love the tilt btw whateatrabbits! I want
 
Initial sharpening / profiling with weps, maintenance with sharpmaker.
I never appreciated my sharpmaker until I had something to re-profile with, its awesome for keeping an edge but not so fun for making one.
 
Been using a Spyderco Sharpmaker, which is fine as long as your blades match it's angle settings. If not, reprofiling with it is a pain and a half. I'm trying to save up for an Edge Pro.
 
Skip all the gadgets and spend a few bucks and have a master thats been sharpening probably longer than you ve been alive attend to your steel! Richard J is a magical wizard that puts a scary sharp edge on just about anything with his paper wheels! If you send him knives and arent happy with the outcome I will personally refund your money!! Im not affiliated with Richard j's Sharpening service just become a pal of his after having him work his magic on lots of my steel!!
 
Striderco' can give out this guarantee because he knows he will not have to pay any money out. "If you send him knives and arent happy with the outcome I will personally refund your money!!" Give Richard a try, you won't be disappointed.

Blessings,

Omar
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top