What's your prefered method of sharpening.

[T. Erdelyi]

I'm partial to freehand, I use various stones including EZLap fine bench hones, different water stones, the only system I use is my Apex from Ben and that's really only when I need to do a lot of reprofiling the rest is usually done freehand.

What are you using, what's your cup of tea?

 

[Planterz]

We can only choose one option, so I picked freehanding. I do reprofile work with a system (Sharpmaker for a while, but I'm learning my new EdgePro Apex), but 99% of my daily touch-up work is done freehand with ceramic crock sticks. Heck, I freehand with my Sharpmaker rods half the time.

 

[MEGALON]

Mostly freehand. I use Shapton waterstones and DMT diamond whetstones.

I have to use a Sharpmaker for recurved and other oddly shaped blades.

 

[numberthree]

I do freehand because I like to be able to incorporate my sharpening stuff into my EDC. Anything fancier than a 2 sided diamond plate and a piece of a sharpmaker rod would be too much for pocket carry.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

With a Smiths, my sharpening turns out okay. With a stone, I've turned some knives into pry bars. With stones its really hit or miss for me. I still have a lot to learn.

 

[nelsonmc]

Freehand then Crock Sticks... That's about it. I have used paste on cardboard before though, like twice so that doesn't count.

 

[Ultrastick]

Freehand on diamond stones and stropped on file folders with polishing compound.
U

 

[stevekt]

I just buy a new knife when it gets dull. Sharpening is for poor people.

 

[warthog90805]

Freehand over a variety of stones

 

[Stone Knife]

Sharpmaker for touch-ups and Lansky for re-profiling.

Though I think stevekt has a good idea there.

 

[Daniel Koster]

yikes...the only belt-grinder in the bunch so far.....


I do most of my sharpening using a micron belt and leather belt - 1"x42"

 

[KeithAM]

I use the Sharpmaker. I'm generally very pleased with the results. As many have mentioned in the past, it's really not the right tool for reprofiling, though I've done that with it.

I'm still waiting for an Edgepro to come in at my local knife store.

 

[glockman99]

I sharpen freehand, using Spyderco 302 ceramic benchstones, and then I finish-off with a Gerber flat steel to take care of the wire-edge.

 

[Buzzbait]

I'm usually a SharpMaker man for touch-ups. The Sharpmaker just makes the process so quick and simple.

With convex edged knives, I just break out the old wet/dry paper or a leather strop.

 

[PWork]

Free hand all the way. I have a Lansky, but every time I use it I feel like I'm cheating on my knives.

Paul

 

[oregon]

Edge Pro, Apex model, gives materiality to my fear of dismemberment. Made in Hood River (my stamping grounds: The Gorge, Mt. Defiance, Beacon Rock, Multnomah Falls), Oregon. http://edgeproinc.com/

Bot at the Eugene, OR knife show this month $135 with three stones & a book written by the vendor Master Knifemaker Lyle Brunckhorst. His demo was irresistable. Love his hawks! Ohhh yeaaa. http://bronksknifeworks.com/

oregon

 

[LyonHaert]

Right now I use an EdgePro Apex, and can get pretty good results. I want to learn freehand sharpening so that I can do a touch-up wherever I am, but I'd also like to step up to using a grinder so that I can run a little sharpening business on the side. The company I do programming for has a growing number of restaurant clients.

 

[Bob W]

I can't vote, but nearly all of my knives still have the factory edge.

Except for my Opinel, which I sharpen freehand.

-Bob

 

[me2]

220 sandpaper, then the Sharpmaker for final polish and touch ups. The kitchen knives get a round on the belt sander with a 320 grit belt and a leather belt.

 

[gajinoz]

You have to sharpen knives?


Learn something new every day.