What is the best way to sharpen your GEC's?

JerryIsAlive

JerryIsAlive

Joined
Jun 13, 2012
Messages
670
Most of the knives I own are GEC. I want to buy a sharpening system. The Sharpmaker is the leading contender but read that the bevel on GEC knives may not be conducive to the Sharpmaker. How do you sharpen your GEC's/traditionals? I am new to knives and sharpening so do not want to be messing around w re-profiling the blade and such.
 
Okay. It really depends. I'm not effecient at freehand. I use a DMT aligner. I need to work at my free hand on some stones.
 
there are a few threads on the issue you can check out, as GECs oblique edge grinds are a major topic on here often.

The sharpmaker is a great system but will be useless to you on a GEC factory edge. I would get it anyway, practice sharpening your cheaper knives (in the mean time put up with a blunt GEC), then graduate to reprofiling (of course practicing on the less expensive knives). I have a sharpmaker and I lean a dmt extra coarse/fine diamond stone against the rods and very carefully and slowly change the profile to 30°. if this is not working out, then I go down to 40°.
 
GEC knives are no different than other knives as far as sharpening. You'll find all the answers you need in the Maintenance and Tinkering forum.
 
Sharpmaker. I've had no problem sharpening any knives on this system. I also want to learn freehand but the Sharpmaker is taking care of business for me right now.
 
I use Arkansas stones. Good results, but does take some practice. I use the soft, hard and black stones.
 
I use the Sharpmaker on my GECs. With the ultra fine stones, I can't picture ever wanting anything sharper. It works fantastic.
 
I use a Lansky system at 25-30 degrees depending on the knife and get great results. I'm not great at freehand and the lansky makes up for that.
 
I freehand with a Falkniven DC4, DMT Diafolds and even little med Smith/Buck pocket rods for stainless pocketknives. Also have a Smith Fine Diamond Bench and various sportsman steels to touch up edges.
 
I believe this is the best answer for 1095. ALso, I would include the translucent grade arkansas.

Mink said:
I use Arkansas stones. Good results, but does take some practice. I use the soft, hard and black stones.
Click to expand...
 
I use a medium and a fine diamond hone about 2" x 8". Don't know the grits on these as they are marked "medium" and "fine". I will finish up on a Norton fine india bench stone and then polish a bit on a strop.

Ed J
 
I usually go with DMT diamond plates in coarse fine and extra fine. I do own and use a Sharpmaker, and this video by youtube user J Davis (who I think is or was a member of this forum) really helped speed the sharpening with a Sharpmaker up tremendously.

[video=youtube_share;-MHe_8wTHmg]http://youtu.be/-MHe_8wTHmg[/video]
 
JerryIsAlive said:
I am new to knives and sharpening so do not want to be messing around w re-profiling the blade and such.
Click to expand...

Best advice is to do some reading on the subject, to gain understanding. Picking a sharpening system that will work for you, and practicing until you become efficient. Embrace learning the skills involved in sharpening. There is an overwhelming amount of info, and some very helpful folks in the Maintenance and Tinkering forum who are more than happy to help out.
 
I am a lousy sharpener, and have used a Lansky, DMT Aligner and Sharpmaker. If the factory angle is close to the Sharpmaker I'm in business, otherwise I start with the aligning systems to get it to match the Sharpmaker.

I have a little handheld Gatco that works great in the field too, I've gotten SAK's and Case scary sharp with just that.
 
I re-ground my blades. Couldn't stand the geometry.

Factory
IMAG1321_zps8827f9d3.jpg


Re- ground
IMAG1420_zpsca747d69.jpg
 
I like to use a King 1k and 4k on slip joints. They are the most basic of my waterstones but do a very good job with the more simple carbon and stainless steels often found in these knives.
 
I purchased the diamond rods for my sharpmaker. They help with my GEC knives. As discussed, the factory edges don't match the sharpmaker angles most of the time (in my experience). I make a few passes on the diamond rods, then go to the medium rods. I repeat until I can cleanly slice phone book paper.
 
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