Knife Sharpening

ChrisGarrett · 2018-08-21T23:24:50.000Z

I’ve got the Lansky Deluxe set, a Hoffritz ceramic crock stick V sharpener, a couple of diamond stones and an Arkansas stone that all work well, unless I’m doing badly damaged garage sale beaters, or just trying to completely reprofile something.

It’s really not that difficult to get a sharp knife, but it takes a little practice.

Chris

Gr8Swammee · 2018-08-21T23:22:53.000Z

You can buy n amazon a leather stropping belt for your work sharp that is magic! Complete game changer…. like 14 bucks

jacktheclipper · 2018-08-22T02:47:44.000Z

I use my Worksharp on knives , kukris , machetes , and even my mower blades .
The key difference here is a convex edge verses a beveled edge .
The convex edge is stronger because you have more metal immediately under the edge and slices better since you don’t have ‘shoulders’ on the edge .

Andybibbville · 2018-08-22T03:07:54.000Z

Here is something similar. Drillpro DIY Sander Schleifband Adapter Für 100mm 4 Zoll Elektrische Winkelschleifer Sale - Banggood Deutschland Mobile-arrival notice

RobertB · 2018-08-22T04:25:52.000Z

ChrisGarrett · 2018-08-22T04:53:35.000Z

Belt sanders are great if you’ve practiced. If you’re new to them, you can ruin the blade and/or the temper, in a matter of seconds.

Chris

djmcconn · 2018-08-22T05:33:55.000Z

Very true. Learning to let th sander do the work and not user over pressure was key to good results Spray bottle of water was also handy.

ChrisGarrett · 2018-08-22T05:48:01.000Z

jacktheclipper:

I use my Worksharp on knives , kukris , machetes , and even my mower blades .
The key difference here is a convex edge verses a beveled edge .
The convex edge is stronger because you have more metal immediately under the edge and slices better since you don’t have ‘shoulders’ on the edge .

You’re correct in part: a convex is a better edge for heavy duty chores, such as chopping, which is why axe heads, hatchets and heavy duty blades, like the Busse offerings, are convex.

For delicate slicing duties, a full flat grind (FFG,) or single bevel (sushi knives) are preferable for that task.

Chris

PBWilson · 2018-08-22T18:55:51.000Z

ChrisGarrett:

Belt sanders are great if you’ve practiced. If you’re new to them, you can ruin the blade and/or the temper, in a matter of seconds.

Chris

Also not using belts that are excessively worn is key to maintaining the temper of your knives. I’ve used a Delta 1x42 sander for so many tasks in my workshop and it does an excellent job on knives. I need to buy some new belts though. The ones I used up over the years were from Lee Valley. Anyone have a good source of good quality belts? The 80 grit ones from Lowes or HD are not a good choice.

BeyondTheBox · 2018-09-10T17:18:06.000Z

I don’t own or use any of the power tool sharpeners. I’ve found that the good old Lansky system is enjoyable to use and does a fantastic job. I have a leather strop, but almost never bother using it. Another great sharpener that does awesome on the go is the Spyderco Sharpmaker.

PBWilson · 2018-09-10T17:41:48.000Z

I’ve used a Lansky system for years before I got my 1x40 belt sander. They work great even if people feel limited by the four settings.

DB_Custom · 2018-09-11T02:37:43.000Z

I should probably invest in some new diamond hones for my Lansky, the ones I have are long lived and no longer even close to their rated grit. lol I’ve had this Lansky guide and mount for over 25 years…

BeyondTheBox · 2018-09-11T02:47:04.000Z

DB Custom:

I should probably invest in some new diamond hones for my Lansky, the ones I have are long lived and no longer even close to their rated grit. lol I’ve had this Lansky guide and mount for over 25 years…

It’s a very wise and cheap investment. I recommend the Corse, medium and fine stones, for overall general purpose.

trailhunter · 2018-09-11T03:43:21.000Z

I owned a KME Deluxe with all stones and strips as well as the Russian TS Prof. I use the KME for smaller knives and the TSProf for larger knives.

Both are great systems, I prefer these guided systems to maintain a certain level of accuracy to place my incompetency, both do a great job at it.

BeyondTheBox · 2018-09-11T05:15:38.000Z

I’ve been told, very adamantly, that there is no better system than the edge pro Apex.

To me it’s a huge waste of money compared to the Lansky and Spyderco.

PBWilson · 2018-09-11T10:06:24.000Z

You can find edge pro knock offs quite cheap. The stones aren’t supposed to be great though.

trailhunter · 2018-09-11T12:19:28.000Z

For general use sharpening, lanksy and spyderco will fit the bill. Owning a spyderco myself, I’m fixed to 20 or 30 degrees, I had to find a system that can get me down to 7-8 degrees with accuracy. Owning japanese cutlery, my spyderco wouldnt have given me the edge I needed. You also have a limitation Stones and lapping films, The systems mentioned above dont allow for precise sharpening and mirror polish hair whittling edges (at least within a reasonable amount of time - how much is your time worth?) many Knife owners love including myself.

But for basic sharpening needs that dont require reprofiling edges, lanksy and spyderco will do the job with great results.

BeyondTheBox · 2018-09-11T15:14:11.000Z

PBWilson:

You can find edge pro knock offs quite cheap. The stones aren’t supposed to be great though.

I wonder if you can just buy the edge pro stones and use them. Very interesting.

BeyondTheBox · 2018-09-11T15:25:45.000Z

trailhunter:

For general use sharpening, lanksy and spyderco will fit the bill. Owning a spyderco myself, I’m fixed to 20 or 30 degrees, I had to find a system that can get me down to 7-8 degrees with accuracy. Owning japanese cutlery, my spyderco wouldnt have given me the edge I needed. You also have a limitation Stones and lapping films, The systems mentioned above dont allow for precise sharpening and mirror polish hair whittling edges (at least within a reasonable amount of time - how much is your time worth?) many Knife owners love including myself.

But for basic sharpening needs that dont require reprofiling edges, lanksy and spyderco will do the job with great results.

Excellent observations and points.

It’s true, the Spyderco specifically and definitely will not allow for any mirror polish or edge reprofiling, and while, with time, the Lansky could achieve either, it’s a matter of a whole hell of a lot of time. They’re just great sharpeners. Though I would challenge that they both, very easily get hair popping results and the Lansky, with so many stone options, can most assuredly get you a mirror finish, if you’ve got the patience and time. I would also agree that my time is worth much too much to spend doing such a thing by hand, but I also couldn’t care less about such things, as of yet. I just want utility. So I guess it comes down to what it will always come down to, and that’s philosophy of use and wants.

If you truly wish to get into profiling of blades, which can be very rewarding and create a truly perfect blade for the individual and their own needs/wants of a blade, then you’ll need something a lot more industrious, something with a power source.

PBWilson · 2018-09-11T15:45:29.000Z

BeyondTheBox:

PBWilson:

You can find edge pro knock offs quite cheap. The stones aren’t supposed to be great though.

I wonder if you can just buy the edge pro stones and use them. Very interesting.

Many people do just that. I got one for about $30 a few years ago and use it to dial in the very precise scandi/zero grind edges on a couple bushcraft knives that I have. I don’t use the stones that came with the knock offs but I found that my smaller DMT diamond stones fit the arm perfectly and work well being 2” wide.