What'd be a good beater to use to practice for sharpening a BK2?

BRL

BRL

Joined
Apr 27, 2011
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I'm knew to good knives and know jack about sharpening. I've got a few nice ones now and need to learn how to keep them sharp (especially the BK2), but was thinking maybe it'd be smarter to learn on a beater knife. Any suggestions? I found one of those crappy WalMart machetes out in the woods a while back, might that work? Thanks.
 
It's a good idea to practice your sharpening skills on a beater knife before you start trying to put edges on ones you are more worried about but you should be aware of the fact that different knives will have extremely different edge geometry. The skinny and light machete will not sharpen the same as the very thick and heavy duty BK2.

Go ahead and practice as much as you can so you get the concept down, but be aware that sharpening those 2 blades is going to be a different experience.
 
They will be different to sharpen especially since the walmart piece is probably cheap steel that may take an edge quick but loses it just as fast. But it will help you get the feel for sharpening and that will help in the long run. It also depends on how sharp you want your user knives like the bk2 I keep mine sharp but not shaving sharp since I don't need it that sharp for batoning and camp work. I usually carry the bk2 for heavy lifting and small sharper knife (a HEST) for fine work that wont dull a blade quickly
 
What are you going to be using to sharpen with if you don't mind my asking? The process will vary sometimes greatly depending on the method you are going with. Definitely a good idea to try it out on a beater first though.
 
Yeah, I've got a nessie that I want to be able to make a razor next. Ah, so much to learn and yet they still insist on making me do actual work at the office....
 
Derek; dunno yet. Still reading through all the sharpening holy wars to try to see what sounds like it'll be the best thing to try. Like so many things people seem pretty black/white on their sharpening systems so for a newb it's kind of a minefield.
 
I think i'm gonna try the lansky sooner or later. If its good enough for moose its good enough for me
 
There are a lot of great options out there, and while there are a lot that are set in their ways, no one is better than another unless you get down to brass tacks and start talking about specific tasks. A sharpening system is probably one of the easier setups to go with, but you do have to watch what you are doing and think about it. Convex sharpening, if done with a mousepad (I recommend neoprene ones over the foam ones) can be very forgiving because it takes so long, but will leave you with a really strong edge. Hand sharpening is probably the hardest, but with a little practice can be achieved pretty quick, and allows you to use pretty much whatever to sharpen your tools.

One thing I do suggest is to whip up a strop out of an old belt and a few paint stir sticks glued together. It can take a good sharpening job into great sharpening territory very quickly. Learned this recently myself after years of hand sharpening. Guyon posted a ton of links recently in another thread about sharpening for convex edges.
 
You'll have to watch as many tutorials as possible. Knives Ship Free has some great ones, especially on sandpaper and stropping. Freehand is a PITA, I'm not very good at it.
I see it this way. How often will you sharpen knives? It takes practice, and either a skilled hand or a system. If you don't see yourself sharpening many knives, then I'd go with a system, (sharpmaker, lansky) or with the sandpaper.

You might just look at a Smith's ceramic system, there less than $20, and only do one angle. You could spend $20 on sandpaper as well, if you don't like using it, it can be used for something else around the house or shop.

Some folks have a ratio of cost, knives/sharpening system. If you have lots of knives to sharpen, the system you use might need to be more versatile, or just more accurate. If you only have a few knives, then maybe you could spend less on the sharpeners.
 
I do recommend starting on a beater, but I would say a standard sized blade for learning, not an 18" machete. Hit some garage sales or junk shops and pick up some kitchen knives maybe. I also strongly suggest learning how to freehand sharpen 1st. It does more than give you the sharpening ability, it lets you learn the look, and feel of a blade becoming sharp, and that helps no matter what you do later.

I use stones, crock sticks, strops, and a 1X42" belt sander depending on what is needed, and the stones are still my favorite. Guided systems are cool if that's your thing, they are repeatable, and with a little common sense pretty goof proof, and give good edges.

Just take your time, don't fear the grits, and jump in brother!!
 
hmm, for starters you will want something with similar geometry... in this you will be hard pressed because it is so thick..

every knife sharpens differently, especially if you intend to re-profile the edge..

truthfully there really is no beater that will compare, but you should hone your skills on other knives first before a beefcake...

I'm oldschool and think everyone should learn freehand first and foremost, especially on waterstones.. once you've achieved good freehand results on stones, you can pretty much tackle anything and any method...

good luck man..

ETA: I just read 'beckerheads' post above, and pretty much ditto what he said.. very sound advice indeed...........
 
Most sharpening systems are pretty much the same, guided stones on easy to maintain angles. Thats really what sharp is, symetry of your angles.

There is a book, by Steve Bottorff, called, Sharpening Made Easy. Its cheap, and very well written. I would consider it the must read for a beginner sharpener. It will detail everything, with some great pics to assist in the learning curve.

Next, you can practice on a beat blade if you wish, but for me, each knife presents a different challenge when sharpening. Thicker, blade shape, edge angle, metal composition, etc. I say jump in, with both feet and get started. You won't tear it up, and the experience you gain while sharpening it, will go towards a knife you want sharp, not some beater that you don't.

Just my opinions here, nothing to see, move along now. :D

Moose
 
jarodmichael said:
I think i'm gonna try the lansky sooner or later. If its good enough for moose its good enough for me
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Ya. I've never heard of anyone wearing out Lansky stones until reading a Moose post. My eyes bugged out and ears perked up. I have much to learn apparently.
 
I free hand sharpen, and I would say a carbon steel mora would be pretty good practice. It is also 1095 and while the scandi grind is very different, I think that the big bevel can help to train you in terms of keeping that angle. Sharpening my moras helped me go from someone who would scratch up blades and not get anything sharp to putting a pretty nice edge on my swamp rat (a big thick blade like the beckers) that can shave hair easily, with no scratches. So, in my case, I think the technique translated over pretty well.
 
I say if you are going to use a stone I would just practice on the BK2 your not going to hurt it. And then you will have learned how to sharpen a BK2 ;)
 
Thanks for all the advice, gents (and ladies?) :thumbup:

My takeaway from this thread is:

* yes, a practice beater is a good idea. Also, all knives are different so a practice beater won't help. Get a mora, i.e. practice directly on the BK2.
* use a sharpening system, except don't use a sharpening system use a stone and learn to freehand

:D

So, my decision is as follows:

We've got the tools, we've got the technology! It's sharpenin' time!
IMG_20110609_202533.jpg


Actually, I found a Smith's tool and one of my dad's little grinding stones. So maybe I start with that... I do like the idea of trying freehand.
IMG_20110609_202557.jpg


And finally, when it comes to a practice beater, what could be better than a gen-u-wine 80's Tijuana pushknife from the time before tacticlol was tacticool??!?
IMG_20110609_202609.jpg


Thanks everyone. When I completely screw up my BK2, I'm blamin' you all.
 
BRL said:
I'm knew to good knives and know jack about sharpening. I've got a few nice ones now and need to learn how to keep them sharp (especially the BK2), but was thinking maybe it'd be smarter to learn on a beater knife. Any suggestions? I found one of those crappy WalMart machetes out in the woods a while back, might that work? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Practice for the BK2 on the BK2, it can take it, I promise you that. Watch a couple you tube videos ( I like purgatory Ironworks) first and then have at it.
 
Your "sharpening tools" ;) are exactly why I said use a stone :) Just take your time and watch your angles and have fun.
 
If you plan to convex your BK2, i would practice on the BK2 as well. You certainly are not going to hurt it. I've been sharpening all my life & thought i was pretty good at it---until i got my BK2. It took me a while, but it will shave paper & hair, but is still not where i want it. You will always keep learning, different styles, techniques, stones, abrasive paper, & on & on & on. My BK7 & BK9 were the easiest to sharpen of any knife i have owned.
 
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