When do i sharpen ?

[adambomber]

do i sharpen before i harden and or temper ?

should the blade be basically in a finished state before hardening?

i looked this up but nothing really specifies.

 

[DustinHall]

Sharpening should be the very last thing you do... unless you like getting cut.

 

[Todd Robbins]

Ditto what Dustin said. Completely finish everything else, then sharpen. On air hardening steels that I send out for heat treating, I finish the blade to the final thickness, but don't sharpen, before I send It out. On carbon steels that I heat treat myself, I leave the edge a little thicker before I heat treat.

Todd

 

[James_Terrio]

When it gets dull Sorry, someone had to say it.

Dustin and Todd are both right.

Grinding the edge too thin before HT can result in warping an cracking in the quench. For small blades made of thin stock, some makers don't grind the bevels at all until the blade is hardened and tempered.

 

[NWA]

The beauty of knife making is it is up to you dude I'm not gonna post the method I utilize, as it works for me but may not work for others. So, give it a shot and see for yourself. I know most guys don't do it, but don't be afraid to give it a try.

Nick

 

[richard j]

i leave at least a 1/32" flat so there is less of a chance for cracking like james said.

 

[delbert ealy]

I don't sharpen until after the sheath is made, it is for me the VERY last thing.
Thanks,
Del