You guys who sharpen with stones, talk to me.

All my new sharpening stuff is on it's way to me and will probably be here before the end of the week. I have decided already which knives are going to be my first victims.

Before I knew better I bought a couple or three Queen knives with D2 blades that I had heard were really fine knives. They may be finely made knives but they come from the factory so dull you have to heat up butter before you can cut it with one of them.

I figure if I can get an edge on one of them, I could get one on anything. If I ruin the edge further, no big deal, they won't cut anything now anyway!
 
Plumberdv said:
All my new sharpening stuff is on it's way to me and will probably be here before the end of the week. I have decided already which knives are going to be my first victims.

Before I knew better I bought a couple or three Queen knives with D2 blades that I had heard were really fine knives. They may be finely made knives but they come from the factory so dull you have to heat up butter before you can cut it with one of them.

I figure if I can get an edge on one of them, I could get one on anything. If I ruin the edge further, no big deal, they won't cut anything now anyway!
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I've heard the term "safe queen" many times but those are the first "unsafe Queens" I've heard tell of:p;)
 
If they're that dull start off with the course stone and the black marker on the edge to watch the angle.Take your time Dave, lol so as to avoid the Queen for a day problems.:eek::)
 
skyhorse said:
If they're that dull start off with the course stone and the black marker on the edge to watch the angle.Take your time Dave, lol so as to avoid the Queen for a day problems.:eek::)
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They are so dull that even I (aka: the klutz) would have to work hard at cutting myself with them! I have butter knives more dangerous!
 
I've heard of Queen knives w/ D2 steel being a bear to sharpen . Might be better to start with Buck's 420 steel . But your knives and call . DM
 
I wonder how many guys change hands vs changing direction when sharpening using a stone? I seen it done both ways.Using a strop is something I haven't tried yet.I would sure like to know more about that.Is one strop good enough,or should you have two different texture strops and two different polishing medias?What's the best polishing media to use?
 
David Martin said:
I've heard of Queen knives w/ D2 steel being a bear to sharpen . Might be better to start with Buck's 420 steel . But your knives and call . DM
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I'm sure you're right about Queens D2 David, especially since their own factory can't seem to do it!:rolleyes::thumbdn:
 
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Scott Hartman said:
Good advice....I've used stones for over 40 years....they make other sharpeners :confused:..:D
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Hey Dave , I know Scott can make one sharp. I bought a Buck 121 from him
and it was,is the sharpest Buck I own.:D

Thanks Scott.:thumbup:

Maybe he can teach ya.:D

Jeff
 
skyhorse said:
I wonder how many guys change hands vs changing direction when sharpening using a stone? I seen it done both ways.Using a strop is something I haven't tried yet.I would sure like to know more about that.Is one strop good enough,or should you have two different texture strops and two different polishing medias?What's the best polishing media to use?
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Changing hands vs. changing direction using one hand, I think it's purely a matter of preference, whatever works best for you. Focus on doing whatever produces the best results, and just keep at it, to train your hands to the proper 'feel' of it.

Regarding strops, a lot of people use at least one with compound. Green (Chromium Oxide) is very popular, effective and relatively inexpensive. The 'best' compound, if money isn't an issue, is probably the diamond sprays/pastes from companies like Hand American or DMT. An appropriate 'finishing' strop of bare leather is good too. If you've never used one before, you might do well to start with at least the compounded strop.

Materials for strops are easy to find. A piece of vegetable-tanned leather can be found at a saddle shop or at a Tandy Leather store, if you happen to have one nearby (can order from them online too). The leather can be glued or otherwise 'stuck' to a piece of wood of decent length (10" - 12" would serve most people pretty well).

There are quite a few good threads on making & using strops here on BF. I'll see if I can dig up a couple of 'em and link 'em in my post here. I'll be back...

Here's a very good one on stropping technique:
Stropping: angle plus pressure

Here's an excellent thread on making a strop:
Photos - demo: how to build you own strop
 
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Thanks Obsessed for the good info.I'm going to be making a strop and give her a whirl.
 
I'm no expert, but I used stones pretty successfully for thirty years, and then I discovered the Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpener($50), which comes with medium and fine rods. I love it! You need to get the diamond rods for reprofiling (another $50), and you need to be patient, but this system--which allows a 30 or 40 degree edge--will reliably yield a hair shaving and, what I call, sticky edge. One of the things I really like about it is I have yet to scratch the side of the blade with the rods, which always seemed to happen with stones. I got one for my old man (60 years using stones), and he loves it too.
 
I've been using a Lansky sharpener for years and you can't beat it. Perfect edge every time. When I'm done with my pocket knife you can literally shave with it. A clamp holds a guide on the blade and you can choose one of three edge angles. My kit has five different grit stones. You start with the course one and work your way down to the fine. The guide holds the stone at the perfect angle and end results are consistant.

http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/outdoor.php
 
Flatlander1963 said:
This is what you need Dave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_lxv6fCU3M&feature=related
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Have one and just got the diamond sticks for it. Also have the DMT set that works like the Lansky. The DMT seems just as awkward to use for me as the Lansky did that I gave away years ago. The Spyderco has worked for me except for the really dull knives like the Queens I mentioned. Maybe the diamond sticks that I got will fix that.

I got the Buck diamond stone set just a few days ago, but I haven't tried it yet.
 
Let me get this straight, you have like a ton of Buck knives and you don't know how to sharpen on a flat stone?!

Vinny
 
vba said:
Let me get this straight, you have like a ton of Buck knives and you don't know how to sharpen on a flat stone?!

Vinny
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Plum just dulls one and throws it out for a new one. I heard rumors Plum has boxes full of dull Buck knives!!;););) An pleasant advantage when you have an abundant knife budget/obsession.:)
 
vba said:
Let me get this straight, you have like a ton of Buck knives and you don't know how to sharpen on a flat stone?!

Vinny
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Never needed to learn. When one gets dull, I just grab a new sharp one.:thumbup:

Flatlander1963 said:
Plum just dulls one and throws it out for a new one. I heard rumors Plum has boxes full of dull Buck knives!!;););) An pleasant advantage when you have an abundant knife budget/obsession.:)
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Your right G. It's like the Harley's, when one gets dirty, I just buy a new bike! ;) Going to look at a couple more tomorrow.
 
+1 for paper wheels!

I know that isn't what you are asking but i got a set and am very happy.

I have been hand sharpening on stones for around 20ish years, lots of muscle memory there, lots of hours spent sharpening.

There is lots of great advice on this forum about sharpening so I will give you some highlights :D

1)Use light, consistent pressure

2)Use a marker to mark your edges and adjust your angles according to wear

3)Make sure you are using flat stones of good quality

4)Be EXTREMELY patient, it takes years to really get good at hand sharpening, and months to become proficient.

5)Sharpen in a well lit area with a stable platform (table, bench, whatever). Magnification is your friend.

6)PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!

I have had no luck with those little plastic wedges. They are fixed to one angle and only help you set that angle, not maintain it. I take a zen approach to finding an angle, every knife has one that "feels right." Not very helpful to you I know, but its how i roll.

Sadly there is no magic solution to becoming awesome at hand sharpening over night. I can achieve excellent results by hand (hair splitting, hair whittling, super shaving, very shiny, whatever), but I've moved away from trying to do this every time and get the absolute sharpest i can. I've moved to machines (belt sander and paper wheels) for most things, and i touch up by hand on a strop and ultra fine Sypderco. Now i go for very sharp but also not spending 8 hours a knife.

I have too many knives for that now :).

A friend just got an edge pro and I'm impressed with the quality, gonna put it through some paces this weekend but i don't think I'll be disappointed
 
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