Sharpening 101

[Rabbitz]

I know I would appreciate and gratefully receive an explanation of how the knifemaker artisans here go about sharpening and then keeping sharp their working knives.

Rabz

[sundowner]

Hi Rabbitz,

After trying & buying a lot of different knife & blade sharpeners over the years (even have my own knife making belt grinder) I purchased an edge pro Apex model. It is not cheep. But it is the ducks guts in accurate and consistent blade sharpening. It is worth every red cent IMO.

What I have found, is due to the very consistent angles you get when using the edge pro in sharpening your blades. They keep their edge longer + only require a soft touch up on the ceramic steel and you’re back to your hair popping sharp edge. Great on broad heads as well.

Here are two links; one is the edge pro link and the other is a good general knife sharpening link with plenty of explanations re sharpening.

http://edgeproinc.com/
http://www.caseyspm.com/Knives.html

Regards
Sundowner

[mayall]

Hi Mate
I First use a blet sander (multi tool ) then from then on use a wet and dry stone then a fine and medium steel. I no other blokes use a lansky knife sharpener.
really it is what will work for you as people have different styles of sharpening knives.
Hope This helps

[Marlin44]

I was just going to throw Lansky into the ring. It's all about keeping the angles constant - as mentioned previous.

[jindydiver]

I use 2 of my grinders and then a strop with green rouge applied

[jamie]

Just as mick said.

Get a feather edge on the blade with linisher then strop on leather with rouge. ( I use white because thats what I have)

I wouldn't recomend useing a linisher all the time to sharpen because you will grind your blade away in no time.
Learn to use a stone and when out in the field touch up your blade on a steel.
Hair and dirt will dull a blade very quickly.

The thing is to not let the edge get to dull.

[Rabbitz]

It is interesting that most replies are along the lines of a mechanical method rather than an oil stone & steel. Maybe I should look into this a bit more.

Thanks for your time and replies.

Rabz

[Marlin44]

Stones are great BUt require alot of practice to keep the angles constant. I know I have a tendancy to roll my wrists too much. The mechanical type sharpeners take the fudge factor out - well they're supposed to.

[crazimofo]

being a slaughterman, i recommend taking the shoulders off with a belt sander first then use a stone then a steel..just got to keep your angles the same..i also have a lansky kit, it's more time consuming though but they do work well and they are cheap enough,(the lansky diamond stones don't last as long)...greg