sharpening tips

[Hammer Bob]

I am in the process of touching up all of our kinves today and thought a thread on knife sharpening would be appropriate. There is nothing like having a sharp knife for any job requiring one....like cleaning fish or carving turkey!!

I like to use a three step process on my knives. I use a diamond stone and water to quickly rough the edge on a knife back into shape. Follow this with a ceramic stone and water to really put that fine edge on your knife. Now the final and what I think is the critical step is to get a leather strop (back of a old leather belt tacked to a piece of wood works good) and place some metal polishing compound on it. Run your knives over it several times and you will find that this removes the fine wire edge which sharpening stones or sticks leave on the blade. By removing this fine wire and polishing the cutting edge you will produce a razor sharp durable edge on your knives. The diamond and ceramic stones as well as leather strops and metal polishing compound should all be available at your local woodworking store. They are common supplies for keeping carving tools and chisels razor sharp. Good Luck and be careful!!

[meyersbilly]

Bob: I have a four step process.

1. Quality steel
2. Stone
3. Ceramic
4. Leather

I agree with you 100% with steps 2,3 and 4, but quality steel sure helps reduce your step 2,3 and 4 effort.

[This message has been edited by meyersbilly (edited 12-23-2000).]

[Hookset]

I'll admit it, I have a terrible time sharpening knives. Never could keep the correct angle going free hand using stones.

Now for the last several years I've been using a Gatco knife sharpening system. A clamp holds the knife and the 4 stones supported by a rod protruding through the clamp. Works really good and now even I can have a sharp knife. After using the Gatco stones I touch the edge with ceramic supported by a block with preset holes. I'll have to try the leather and metal polish. I use the leather for broadheads for hunting, never on a knife.

thanks for the tip,

hook

[Hoosier Daddy]

I use the same methods I do for my wood chisels etc.
I start with an oil stone, then move to some fine wet sandpaper, 600 or finer, with some oil or water on it, have heard of people using plates of glass with sandpaper stuck in oil on top of it, but I haven't tried it. Then I strop with leather to smooth and polish. I'm sure there are better ways, I would like a clampling system, but I get some scary sharp blades on most my stuff.

[MikeT]

Good topic.
For those of you interested in the nitty-gritty of getting your tools and knives sharp, here's the URL for the sharpening article in BladeForums:
http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqsharp.shtml

Merry Christmas to all....MikeT

[meyersbilly]

Here’s something for the knife-sharpening enthusiast. If you have any friends who work in a pulp mill ask them if they know what a ‘centre cleaner ceramic cone’ is (used in the pulp separation process). This is an ideal, last forever ceramic cone that will sharpen a lifetime supply of knives. It’s perfect for the meat processing shop (2’ high, by 2” around at the top and tapering to a 6” base). The bottom is flanged so you can easily attach it to a workbench or cutting table. A couple swipes down the cone and back in business. Pretty nice!

Now for the knife makers. If you have any friends who work in a sawmill ask them if they can get their hands on any stainless steel ‘doctor blade’. This material is perfect for making paring or boning knives and ‘Head-rig saw blade’ is ideal for those chopping/hunting knives.

Building homemade blades is a good winter hobby. Sort of like tying leaders, flies, jigs…

Great sharpening tips by the way!

[Hammer Bob]

Chnookie, I used to use the oil stones and sandpaper as you do and had great results. However, since I went to the diamond and ceramic stones, using water, those old faithful oil stones haven't been touched. Old technology replaced with the new I guess!! They can be a little pricey with the whole sharpening system running about $100 but this also includes a ceramic hone for the inside edges of the chisels and carving tools.

That is a pretty good link Mike T..some really god tips and techniques are provided as well as reviews of the different sharpening systems. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Hammer Bob (edited 12-24-2000).]