Working in a new "field blade"

tarmix101 · Sep 7, 2006

The above title probably means something different to everybody. I thought I would share what I do, and ask for suggestions from everyone else. This particular sub forum has been more effective and educational to me than the rest. Not to say I have not gained a lot of info, and good tips from the rest, this one just seems fit my style of thinking.

At any rate, I purchased a new Mountain Man carbon blade from CKW awhile back, and asked the ??? "Mountain Man in the Mountains". The main premises was, what do you think about a folder/slip joint for a "main" woodcraft/survival knife. Most (really all) the responses were helpfully and insightfully.

To get to the point, I worked in the new folder to fit "my" woodcraft needs. I started with just using the blade. I found the factory edge to be a little obtuse for me... so the first thing was to put a new edge on it. I did so with nothing more than good on oil stones After a little more work I.E. kitchen work, fuzz sticks, splitting kindling, and light duty camp and clean chores, I still found it a bit "thick". Now the MM is not a thick blade IMHO..... but I did as my Grandad taught me. I put the blade FLAT on the stone... and thinned the edge until the secondary edge bevel was gone. I then put a 15-20 degree secondary edge bevel on the blade mainly because the edge will be use for slicing and light duty work) and WALLAA!

At this point the edge could shave a gnat's A$$ and I'm very happy with it. Not as pretty, but fits what I will be using the knife for.

Do you all go through a similar process? I think I know the answer, but would like to read it.

Here she is all shinny new.. MM on the top:

Here she is after the work out:

All thoughts and comments all welcome. :thumbup:

Cliff Stamp · Sep 8, 2006

tarmix101 said:
Not as pretty ...

Looks better to me, they all will end up like that if you use them anyway. I do much the same thing though usually use power tools, I generally don't go as heavy on the final edge angle. How long did it take on the stones?

-Cliff

xbxb · Sep 8, 2006

I knew you would like that Mountain Man. You got a good folder that will last you a lifetime. Great lookin knife.

tarmix101 · Sep 8, 2006

Cliff Stamp said:
How long did it take on the stones?

-Cliff

Quite a while. I used a medium oil stone on both sides first, and it took me at least 15-20 minutes each side. After that I tried to straiten the lines a little, and that was another 5-10 minutes each side. The final edge, and strop didn't take long at all. All told I probably worked on it for about an hour or just a little over.

tarmix101 · Sep 8, 2006

xbxb said:
I knew you would like that Mountain Man. You got a good folder that will last you a lifetime. Great lookin knife.

I am heading out for a 5 day trip on Sep 20th. I will git it a more proper workout then. So far I love it. It has been in my back pocket since I bought it, and I don't see it changing for awhile.

Cliff Stamp · Sep 8, 2006

That's an hour well spent. Do you know anything about the hardness of the 1095.

-Cliff

tarmix101 · Sep 8, 2006

Cliff Stamp said:
That's an hour well spent. Do you know anything about the hardness of the 1095.

-Cliff

I believe it was mentioned somewhere on this forum, or another that they are 57-58. Not positive of that however.

rebeltf · Sep 8, 2006

Now the MM is not a thick blade IMHO..... but I did as my Grandad taught me. I put the blade FLAT on the stone... and thinned the edge until the secondary edge bevel was gone. I then put a 15-20 degree secondary edge bevel on the blade mainly because the edge will be use for slicing and light duty work) and WALLAA!

Great quote there... We have to realize that many people on here and also knife collectors and users , to a knife collector who collects knives in hopes of them gaining value over time , that would kill the value on a knife since it would scratch up the blade , etc.
Now my Grandpa taught me the same thing your's taught you. As a matter of fact I have had two "sharpening systems" with rods and whatnot that worked like crap for me , I was taught on a stone and stones are what give me the results I need.
Our Grandpas though , they didnt buy knives just to collect them , they bought them to use them.
I managed to inherit nearly all of both of my Grandpa's knives and not one of them were in mint shape and that is fine by me , they were all well used and cherished as the tools they were meant to be.
Not saying I dont have a few "safe queens" , mind you

One mf my sharpest blades is an older Camillus folder that has been sharpened just like you described , doesnt look the best but it's not out to win a beauty contest either

tarmix101 · Sep 8, 2006

rebeltf said:
One mf my sharpest blades is an older Camillus folder that has been sharpened just like you described , doesnt look the best but it's not out to win a beauty contest either

Where I work, if you come to the job site with new shinny boots, you get harassed, and then you know their in for sore feet after a long day stringing wire.

I look at my new knife that same way, if I pulled it out of my back pocket all shinny new, and had a hard time cutting my tuna sandwich, I can just hear the comments. "did ya bring your Wife's knife with ya today?!"

I'm with you, I'm more interested in the function rather than winning a beauty contest.