When in doubt, steal ideas from ksskss!

T

thombrogan

Joined
Nov 16, 2002
Messages
9,948
In order to increase the consistancy of my edges, I've decided to steal the following ideas from Kenneth Schwartz (aka ksskss aka ken123):

  1. Use a means of propping my hones at a set angle (Panavise in my case)
  2. Use an angle finder for increased precision (gots mine for $7.96 at Home Depot, but others exist)
  3. Focus on sharpening faster by actually being slower and more deliberate

I normally bear away with my benchstones and then ease into them for deburring, but while successful, it also leads to occasional slumps where I can't sharpen as well as normal. Back when the Sharpmaker, EdgePro, and belt sander were my preferred tools, it was easier to be lighter handed and gentler, but since large benchstones spread out user-supplied force more evenly, they mask a lot of bad habits that occasional surface as several, consecutive bad sharpening sessions.

Anywho, that's how I'm improving the consistancy of my good sharpening sessions and I highly recommend stealing any of Ken's sharpening ideas to increase the frequency of your better sharpening sessions as well!
 
Gotta love that aspect of web forums: everything is public domain, and free for the stealing! :D

When I became interested in testing blade performance and edge retention, I needed a way to control edge angles better, and started using a similar setup -- basically a vise-like jig that holds a 2" wide benchstone so I can use it as sort of a one-sided Sharpmaker on steroids. I've really come to appreciate the consistency of the system, particularly in terms of keeping the same edge angle from tip through belly to hilt.

Just wondering, Thom ... do you think such a system can be used with waterstones, or is the slurry going to run off too fast?
 
Two things on that, Dog of War,

  1. It works just fine for waterstones and benchstones of all types (including strops with hard backings)
  2. While never helping me do anything but dull knives, slurry will stay put on the waterstone

It's how Gunmike1 sharpens his knives (equipment may vary; concept is identical) and, apparently, how you do, too!
 
Thanks, Thom. I keep meaning to one day try to overcome my phobia about waterstones. If I don't need a dulling slurry and can use the jig that might just do it.

BTW you mentioned strops ... I assume for this you use the Panavise to hold at a particular angle off level, and then keep the blade parallel. I've been so pleased with the results I've gotten using Zeasor's trick of stropping on clay-coated paper I've been thinking about such a setup.

Just think how dull life would be if we ever achieved the perfect edge, that'd be the end of about 65% of the hobby for me. :)
 
Perfection is a Platonic concept and perfectionism is a mental illness. Plato was a tool; Aristotle rules!

I still need to try Zeasor's trick, but I keep flubbing up and putting it off until my next hawkbill arrives. :o
 
thombrogan said:
Perfection is a Platonic concept and perfectionism is a mental illness. Plato was a tool; Aristotle rules!
Click to expand...
Yeah, but good single malts rock!

I still need to try Zeasor's trick, but I keep flubbing up and putting it off until my next hawkbill arrives. :o
Click to expand...
I've been nicely surprised what it will do on a regular, straight edge ... but of course would love to hear the opinion of a true Sharpening God like yourself. How 'bout a video of you doing the Chef Tony pineapple-in-mid-air trick, only with a coconut and a Shun?
 
Dog of War said:
Yeah, but good single malts rock!
Click to expand...

Yes, but no one gives you a hard time when you mix blended malts with diet coke. Drinkpolice joahs! :grumpy:


Dog of War said:
I've been nicely surprised what it will do on a regular, straight edge ... but of course would love to hear the opinion of a completely useless dimwit like yourself. How 'bout a video of you doing the Chef Tony pineapple-in-mid-air trick, only with a coconut and a Shun?
Click to expand...

Fixed it for you! :cool: Geometry cuts; that's true, but coconut shells think geometry is for nerds and would demand a tougher blade such as a machete.

I'll try it on straight edges tonight. I have two knives to sharpen (one is a Shun), so they'll be stropped on a glossy bookcover after they face the challenge of my penpal's homemade waterstone.
 
Again, you really should consider a career as a humorist, Thom. Your posts definitely make my day. :)

A couple more for your bartender's recipe book ... I knew a really intelligent, attractive, classy woman who's favorite drink -- to the exclusion of nearly everything else -- was Vodak and orange Tang. And just recently a sharp old guy in his 80's who's been on a Kershaw buying binge since admiring my JYD2 was telling me that every afternoon he mixes margarita mix with diet Seven-Up in a large tumbler, freezes it, and then eats it with a spoon.

Suddenly 100 Pipers and diet Coke doesn't sound so bad ... but I'll try to resist and stay sober until I get the definitive word on this little stropping experiment.
 
Thanks for the recipes! I can already see myself kneeling before the toilet and bellowing "This is what the astronauts puke!" with delight.

100 Pipers? I'll look for it! The only single malt I drink is Glenn Fidditch. And rarely.
 
ksskss and his sharpening OCD have really improved my sharpening skills (and contributed to my own sharpening OCD). Stealing his ideas is one of my favorite things to do, and I always look forward to his reviews of stones and equipment. As Thom said, when you follow his advice your consistency and results will most likely improve considerably. I really wish I had the space and money for one of his "gizmos", as the unbelievable precision it provides and the ability to use all of my benchstones on it is really appealing to my OCD side. I just can't justify the purchase at this time. However, once Uncle Sam sends me a tax rebate in May, things may change.

On the Single Malt tip, the last time I had Glen Fidditch (if my hazy memory recalls) I also drank a fifth of Skyy Vodka in wineglass sized shots, and also mixed in downing a few beers and some champagne and wine. For some weird reason I threw up and passed out 2 hours before the new year. I was just out of college at the time, and have not tried such stupidity since. After that the only Malt I have touched (and infrequently at that, thank God) is some Malt Liquor in the form of the great Olde English. As bad as OE is, it is a much better alternative than the "High Gravity" lagers like Steel Reserve and Camo, if you ever find yourself in a wino state of mind. Luckily I can afford the good, strong local microbrews when I need to have a few pops these days, and only revert to my cheap booze roots infrequently.

Mike
 
If you've been following Ken's and Frege's adventures in Choceratops hunting, you'd have a completely needless new set of items to purchase for use separately of with the Gizmo. I don't recommend stealing tangible items from Ken. He has a large dog, knives that can break down 600 pound tuna, and a good stove.
 
thombrogan said:
Thought I'd share some links to some of Ken's ideas I've used to my advantage.
Click to expand...


Those are classics that I have bookmarked for reference. I have been following the Chocera Chronicles of ksskss, and all I have for it is stone envy and the need to hit the lottery.

Mike
 
With that lotto money, you could get a new house, a line of Naniwa Ebi Cho-cera stones, and have room for a Precision Sharpening Device (and station for reloading ammo and one of those SuperRep machines to avoid the crabs and gymjoahs...).

I need to hit the lottery, too!
 
Thom -- I'm curious about how your friend made this waterstone, doesn't sound like your basic basement workshop project.

Really need to give this "tilted off horizontal" sharpening a try.
 
thombrogan said:
100 Pipers? I'll look for it! The only single malt I drink is Glenn Fidditch. And rarely.
Click to expand...

Thom,

Go for something else like Lagavulin or Cragonmore or Macallan, I can bet you it won't be rarely anymore. Your knives may get sharper while you're having some single malt and sharpening at the same time. Wear steel gloves.
 
Dog of War said:
Thom -- I'm curious about how your friend made this waterstone, doesn't sound like your basic basement workshop project.

Really need to give this "tilted off horizontal" sharpening a try.
Click to expand...

Martin used an angle grinder, a diamond cutting disc, and fifteen minutes' worth of time to make his waterstones.

The outlined method of sharpening is as simple as sticking a shim under a benchstone or as complex you can dream. Tonight, I used this method to put a 27 included degree edge on my JYDII and 28 degree microbevel with some lapping film. It was the first time I was ever able to make edge-leading passes into the lapping film without an EdgePro and less likelyhood of polishing the back bevel or gouging the film. The edge was nearly 50% thicker than the edge on my favorite kitchen knife, but almost just as sharp.

jaislandboy said:
thanks for sharing the wisdom of ken123
Click to expand...

Anything to help fellow fiends get down with the sickness. :cool:

BillL said:
Go for something else like Lagavulin or Cragonmore or Macallan, I can bet you it won't be rarely anymore. Your knives may get sharper while you're having some single malt and sharpening at the same time. Wear steel gloves.
Click to expand...

You're getting me back for selling boron carbide to you, aren't you. ;) I don't know if my liver will let me check them all out, but I'll try. Thanks, Bill!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top