you guys that get your blades freakishly sharp

F

folderfan2093

Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
378
What do you use to do it? i'm thinking of picking up a sharpening product but i don't want to pick up something that's not all that great. any suggestions?
 
edge pro apex for rebeveling

spyderco sharpmaker for touchups.


This will be most answers.
 
Reading here on BF it seems there is some variance in preferences and successes between various methods.

For years I sharpened with either a stone or rod, with the latest setup being a diamond / ceramic combination. I was always able to get my knives good and sharp, but not scary sharp.

I recently began experimenting with the mousepad/sandpaper method for convex edges (which all my general use knives have been profiled to) and I'm getting amazing results. Takes a bit of effort to establish the convex, but then pretty simple to keep 'em shaving sharp.

I also purchased a new set of stones (1000, 8000, 10,000) and leather strop for my Japanese kitchen knives, They are too thin to convex, and again I"ve had amazing results, my kitchen knives slice like razor blades.

My experience would suggest the sharpening method you choose, and have the best success with, will be determined to a large degree on the type of edge geometry you are trying to acheive.

I'm having fun experimenting, and I'm enjoying a significant degree of satisfaction with my success, hope you have the same experience honing your sharpening skills.

Kevin
 
Its all about how you finish the edge and the quality of the products you are using. For me I like the spyderco UF ceramic followed by diamond compounds on a leather strop.
 
Belt sander w/ various grits and paper wheels. With a few knives worth of practice, you can make virtually every knife push cut newspaper. AND it is super fast...I can resharpen a completely flat edge to shaving sharp in under 5 mins.
 
What do you guys use for recurved blades? I used DMT diamond benchstones and a combination of some other stuff, though recurves seem like such a pain to sharpen.

BTW, anyone have advice on norton/spyderco for really fine stones? Either spyderco's ultra fine or norton's 1000/4000?
 
For beveled edges, I usually use DMT stones followed by green compound on a leather strop. For convex edges, I use coarse and fine strops. The strop finish really makes a difference.
 
riz_aaroni said:
What do you guys use for recurved blades? I used DMT diamond benchstones and a combination of some other stuff, though recurves seem like such a pain to sharpen.

BTW, anyone have advice on norton/spyderco for really fine stones? Either spyderco's ultra fine or norton's 1000/4000?
Click to expand...

Spyderco UF all the way :thumbup:
 
I bought the whole setup for the Sharpmaker, both rods and a strop. I got amazing results, but since discovering convex sharpening I havent set it up since. I only really use the UF rods to maintain the edge or knock off the burr while sharpening.

Convex sharpening is cheap best of all. I spent about 150 all said and done on my SM and rods, and Ive probably spent 20 bucks on sandpaper in the last 8 months...

The real secret to a scary sharp knife (at least what I think is scary) is a strop. It truly takes the edge to a new level. One thought though, scary sharp doesnt last very long on most knives. The edge will loose its laser like feeling, but will stay very sharp.

This is where the debate about "super steels" come into play, and to this date the only knife I have that can actually keep a crazy edge is my Busse BAD. The higher Rc on the INFI makes that knife cut for days........ I dont have a lot of experience with many other exotic alloys.
 
I have been using a sharpmaker for a while with the standard stones and stropping makes a big difference in the final edge for me.
 
Anyone know the grit of the fine spyderco rod? I have 2000 grit sandpaper and it feels rougher than the fine spyderco.
 
riz_aaroni said:
Anyone know the grit of the fine spyderco rod? I have 2000 grit sandpaper and it feels rougher than the fine spyderco.
Click to expand...
gritsofstonesandrods.jpg



I use a belt sander to sharpen my knives, it works on recurved blades aswell since the belt flexes and bends so I can use the sides of the belt. If I'm sharpening a super dull blade, I will go with 120, 320, 600, 1200grit belts and then go to a leather belt loaded with .5micron CrO.
 
Remember also that a razor sharp edge is not always the best solution. I usually sharpen my knives to a 300 or 500 grit and leave it at that, and they cut really well, even plastics and fiborus materials.
 
EdgePro.

fast, simple and works on a rather LARGE selection of blade shapes and sizes.

beyond that, how you touchup is up to you, most strop. I just toss on my ultra fine stone to keep a keen edge every once in a while.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top