Evolv-ing Thread

[Steamer861]

I use diamond whet stones for my pocket knives. Natural stones are far too easy to plug up with SS blades. The nickel in the stainless smears into the pores and renders the stone useless in minutes.
I've had this one for 5yrs.

Thanks for the reply
I know nothing about sharpening any thing. I reread your post & now understand, a stone is not what I want
Thanks again
Is this any better? $8.31 Authentic YOYAL T1051D Folding Double-Sided 360/600 Grit Diamond Knife Sharpener - orange at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping If I can I'd like to get something from FT so I don't have to pay for shipping again.

 

[mikepetro]

no hope!

Was there ever?

 

[cigatron]

Thanks for the reply
I know nothing about sharpening any thing. I reread your post & now understand, a stone is not what I want
Thanks again
Is this any better? $8.31 Authentic YOYAL T1051D Folding Double-Sided 360/600 Grit Diamond Knife Sharpener - orange at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping If I can I'd like to get something from FT so I don't have to pay for shipping again.

That'll work. Good overall reviews too.
Using a sharpening stone is not cut and dry....sorry, couldn't resist.....it takes a steady hand and lots of practice to produce a razor sharp edge on cutlery.
My Gramps sat down with me for a couple of hours one day to guide me along. He insisted that using a whet stone was a feel thing, not a visual thing. I learned years later that he was right.
Anyway, He ended up having to fix what I messed up that evening. The next morning we caught a mess of catfish and he made each of us kids skin our own. That stupid fish thorned me in the hand so I took the fillet knife and stabbed it through the head and into the cutting board. Two things I learned the hard way that day, cleaning fish makes your knife handle slippery and Gramps could sharpen the heck out of a knife.
Don't worry everyone, it wasn't too bad, they were able to sow my pinky finger back on.

 

[Steamer861]

I know what you mean about sharpening, But more about chainsaws than knives.
I have a guy who works for me in the summer, He cuts trees with a chainsaw.
He can sharpen a saw like nobody's business, the same saw with out him sharpening it is next to useless in the wrong hands. I guess knives are the same.
I watched a few YT videos & convinced my self, that if I bought a stone I could keep my knife sharpe. I guess there's a lot more to it than that.

 

[tiburonfirst]

Was there ever?

not really, but i tend to be optimistic

 

[cigatron]

I know what you mean about sharpening, But more about chainsaws than knives.
I have a guy who works for me in the summer, He cuts trees with a chainsaw.
He can sharpen a saw like nobody's business, the same saw with out him sharpening it is next to useless in the wrong hands. I guess knives are the same.
I watched a few YT videos & convinced my self, that if I bought a stone I could keep my knife sharpe. I guess there's a lot more to it than that.

Best tip I've used for noobs is to color up the primary and secondary bevels with a sharpie pen, then take a few strokes on the stone to see where the coloring was removed. Then it's just a matter of repetition.

ETA: Sharpening chainsaw blades to cut like a banshei is waaaaay easier than sharpening cutlery to a razor sharp edge.

 

[mikepetro]

Best tip I've used for noobs is to color up the primary and secondary bevels with a sharpie pen, then take a few strokes on the stone to see where the coloring was removed. Then it's just a matter of repetition.

I have tried for 45 years to sharpen knives. I understand the theory, I have used good equipment. The few times I got a good edge were by mere luck as I couldnt repeat it.

 

[cigatron]

I have tried for 45 years to sharpen knives. I understand the theory, I have used good equipment. The few times I got a good edge were by mere luck as I couldnt repeat it.

You gotta feel it. Once a good flat primary bevel is established on both sides of the blade you have to create the secondary bevel by feel. When the blade is at the perfect angle to create a secondary bevel it will have increased drag ie like the blade is trying to cut a slice out of the stone. A few very light pressure passes like that on each side of the blade will produce a hair shaving edge.

 

[Walter Ego]

This kit works excellent for my knives.
https://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Delux...85303069&sr=8-1&keywords=lansky+sharpener+kit

 

[Steamer861]

Sharpening chainsaw blades to cut like a banshei is waaaaay easier than sharpening cutlery to a razor sharp edge.

Well then I'm never going to be able to get the knife sharp, Cause I tried the saw a few times & failed epically

 

[awsum140]

Steamer, don't give up. I have yet to get a decent edge on a knife, but I can sharpen a chain saw blade with no problem. I do like to use a file guide to keep the angle as perfect as possible, but can work freehand, by eye, if I'm "out in the field". Of course that's only taken about 30 years of duffer chainsaw use to develop, but if I can do it ANYBODY can do it!

 

[cigatron]

Well then I'm never going to be able to get the knife sharp, Cause I tried the saw a few times & failed epically

Awww, sure you will. PM me if you need help. I'm bound to be able to find some literature from the last time I held a tool sharpening seminar.

 

[mikepetro]

I use one of these on my Mac Pro kitchen knives. It works pretty decent. Then once every year or three I send the knives back to Mac Pro to get professionally done.

Pocket knives, I just buy a new one..........

 

[Steamer861]

I think maybe I will get a utility knife? I can just break off the dull piece & keep on going with a sharp blade every time Problem Solved

 

[Icemanxxxv]

Let us get this straight you have the right to gather and speak your mind. You dont have the right to riot loot and burn. Impede commerce or bring physical harm to others. Those that March carry signs and voice their opinions I'm fine with. The rest should be delt with with water cannons rubber bullets and bean bags. Followed by heavy fines and prison sentences. JMHO

Sent from my SM-G900T3 using Tapatalk

 

[Tpat591]

Let us get this straight you have the right to gather and speak your mind. You dont have the right to riot loot and burn. Impede commerce or bring physical harm to others. Those that March carry signs and voice their opinions I'm fine with. The rest should be delt with with water cannons rubber bullets and bean bags. Followed by heavy fines and prison sentences. JMHO

Sent from my SM-G900T3 using Tapatalk

Add to that shout or display vulgarities, utter threats, incite violence or threatening behavior, touch, grab or hit others, or commit any other crime & we are on same page.

 

[KTMRider]

I use sharpening rods which is pretty easy to use. Just keep the blade 90° and let the angle on the block do the work.
https://www.amazon.com/Lansky-2D2C-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MQKQ76BJ1G75AREEC6D6

Sharpening with stones is a fine art. I used to do this when I was much younger and there wasn't much else to use. Either way, you need to know what the blade needs and what stone/rod to use.

This is good for sharpening in the field:
https://www.amazon.com/Lansky-3143-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4S85XDB4VNB2ZEPWASXT

And if you're still hopeless (this unit is very good)...
https://www.amazon.com/Presto-08800...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X9WH636FW3JYW0FAQJRH

I have a few of these utility knives:
https://www.amazon.com/OLFA-1075449...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R5DHEDN3TJ6R6BBYBYQ8

 

[Icemanxxxv]

I have a set of Norton water stones from 400 to12k. Plus a Japanese hard stone. Sharpen my kitchen hunting and pocket knives. Strop on vintage leather strop then newspaper. Still working on technique they will shave but not pop hair. One day I will get it to were I can push cut a ripe tomato horizontal with out holding the tomato. Maybe I'll work on them again this weekend.

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[KTMRider]

I learned how to sharpen knives in boy scouts summer camp. At 10 yrs old, I was able to get my pocket knives sharp enough to shave my arm easily. These pocket knives didn't have the best metals for holding an edge so they gave me tons of practice. I had a 2 sided stone, honing oil and a leather strop. After a while, I realized that having razor sharp knives (especially pocket knives) weren't all that necessary and I was mostly wasting time but not really because it was fun. Now, I use rods and get pocket/hunting knives to 90% and I'm happy. My kitchen knives are done to about 95%. At 90%, you can still shave hair and it takes about 5-10 mins. The last 5-10% will take another 10-30m and not worth it, IMO. I do have better quality knives though and they hold their edge better than the cheap knives I had when I was a kid.

Oh... and the powered sharpener works really well but it does take a lot of steel off your blades so be warned when using it. It is the easiest and fastest way to get a sharp edge though.

 

[mikepetro]