Sharpening Question

Discussion in 'Blades' started by Witch Doctor 01, Sep 29, 2011.


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  1. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

  2. UGRev

    UGRev Get on with it!

    That looks pretty cool. I'm learning to sharpen by hand at the moment.. but that would definitely make it easy! :)
     
  3. Opinionated

    Opinionated Monkey+

    oh my. a baby belt sander. say it ain't so !!! Oh Nooooooo! [yukface]


    Seriously though; no.

    And this from a guy who to save his soul can not sharpen a knife. I've spent nearly 50 years screwing up virtually every cutting tool I have ever tried to sharpen.

    The closest I can get to success is with a Lansky system.


    . .and that's still no guarantee I won't screw up. :oops:
     
  4. Cephus

    Cephus Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Remember when ya screw up with a power tool ya real screw up ,anything done by hand can be fixed.
     
    beast likes this.
  5. goinpostal

    goinpostal Monkey+++

    You have to watch out out with any power sharpener.One can change the temper of the edge,and ruin a good knife.
    Matt
     
  6. beast

    beast backwoodsman

    the very best way to sharpen a blade is with a file
    using long slow even strokes over the length of the blade
    you cant be ina hurry or youll never get an edge
    and you work at it until that nearly see-thru burr falls off
    then you can shave with it :)
     
  7. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    Can't say I have used that type. I have tried the set angle tri-hone type that you can get in any sporting good store. Those were ok until I decided to really, really learn to use a stone.

    Japanese water stones..... get them from a medium grit to as fine as like 4000. Use an Arkansas oil stone for really bad blades or re-grinding.

    I grab decent stones whenever I get a good deal. I picked up a couple for $8 the other day that still had 90% life left. One is two sided (course- ~600 grit, med ~800 grit). The finest is probably about 900-1000 grit. It was a heck of a deal.

    An alternative is a glass tile with super-fine sand paper epoxied in place. Works just the same. I keep sand paper and a few glass tiles around for jus that.

    I would post some youtube, but my work won't allow access. Just google Ray Mears sharpening videos. Watch those and learn. That guy knows about sharpening and maintaining a good blade.
     
    Brokor likes this.
  8. WestPointMAG

    WestPointMAG Monkey++

    When anyone is considering sharpening anything the first thing they need to do is get a copy of the book Razor edge Sharpening and read it cover to cover. Just by reading this book you learn more about how to sharpen then most people will ever know.
    The book of RAZOR EDGE SHARPENING
    By John Juranitch
    Published by Razor Edge systems, Inc. 303 North 17<SUP>th</SUP> Avenue, East, Ely MN. 55731
    ISBN 0-9666059-0-X
    If you sharpen the way he teaches in the book you will not need any kind of a gadget to get a sharp edge.
     
  9. Opinionated

    Opinionated Monkey+


    Does it come with eyeballs and fingers?

    . . those are the parts I seem to be having the most trouble with. The blade and the stone/hone seem to be just fine. :oops:





    Seriously though; thank you $19.99 is a cheap "risk" to finally fix my inability to sharpen most anything with a better edge than that commonly found on a bowling ball.
     
  10. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Reality: The only thing needing a razor's edge is a razor. To exaggerate a bit, putting a razor's edge on an axe can be done, but it won't last long. There's a line between sharp and long lasting. That is learned, not taught, other than by considering the general shape of the grind.
     
    beast likes this.
  11. WestPointMAG

    WestPointMAG Monkey++


    The book shows you how to do in a way that there is no way you can mess it up.
     
  12. CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Monkey++

    I've used a Lansky setup for ~5 years. Very nice, when used on thin-bladed kitchen knives up through 1/4" thick Bowie style blades.

    Snicker-snack sharp.
     
  13. bad_karma00

    bad_karma00 Monkey+

    I'd have to say no. Something like that is very abrasive, and it's too easy to slip and really damage an edge, or roll it. Then it's a long job with a jeweler's file or hone steel to try and restore the edge, before you can try to sharpen it again.

    Using a whetrock, or whetstone isn't that difficult, it just takes practice. The easiest way to learn is to pretend you're trying to shave a very thin piece of the stone off with every stroke. Make sure to use a good oil, and use only a quality stone on quality knives. Arkansas stones are the best IMHO. I have three rocks, med, hard, and black hard. I've been using those same stones for over twenty five years, and they can and will put a razor edge on any quality blade.
     
    stevel likes this.
  14. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

  15. GrandpaDave

    GrandpaDave Monkey++

  16. STANGF150

    STANGF150 Knowledge Seeker

    Onlything I use a power tool for sharpening is tools. Like lawnmower blades, hoes, shovels, axes, & then not to razorblade sharpness as that would make the edge brittle. I use a sidegrinder for those. All else goes in my vise & gets hand sharpened.
     
  17. sasquatch91

    sasquatch91 Monkey+++

    i use a arkansas rock whetstone. gets my buck sharp enuff to cut whatever i need to.
     
    bad_karma00 likes this.
  18. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    Can one use a whet stone to sharpen a hatchet? If not, what would be good to use? I have a hatchet plus a hatchet hammer that need sharpening. I would prefer not to use a power tool but do it by hand.
     
  19. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Short answer is yes. Use gloves and wave the stone instead of waving the blade over a stationary stone. If you have a vise, clamp the head and set the angle by eyeball; at least that's how I do it.
     
    HK_User, Motomom34 and Tully Mars like this.
  20. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    You can use most any stone to sharpen an ax or knife. Having a production stone just gives you a flat stone as reference and a place to start.

    If you've ever sat on a concrete curb or bench then you now know where to find a sharpening stone.
     
    kellory and Motomom34 like this.
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