Knife Sharpening

[Prose]

Considering upgrading my knife sharpener to a Tormek T4 or the Grizzly industries equivalent, or the WEN grinder. I currently use a Galco/Lansky style up to 2000 Grit, and while effective, it just takes too dang long and it's not the edge I'd like.

For those in the know... can I get a grizzly grinder for 140ish and expect to be extremely satisfied with the results?

Anyone have a Tormek/Grizzly around the Fargo/Moorhead area that would be interested in showing me the ropes? I live halfway between FM and DL.
@Shiraz

 

[jepp2]

Your post caught my interest. Wow, really poor reviews on the grizzly unit pictured. And for poor quality aspects.

 

[martin22250]

I've been making some knives and I use the harbor freight 1×30 belt grinder with a assortment of belts and a leather belt to finish

 

[Dud]

That leather belt power stropping is the way to get a really polished edge, highly recommended.

Sandpaper belts are the best way to grind an edge, wether flat or convex. It has good speed and decent control.

 

[hunter67]

I personally like worksharp have been using it for 15 years

 

[Preacher]

I personally like worksharp have been using it for 15 years

Plus 1 for that one...

 

[SMITTY33]

Worked for Randall 40 years ago ... learned on a Tri-stone oil bath ... Still use it ... i think it is a lost art now !
I do believe the Worksharp is the greatest invention ... Ever ... for the average Joe to have a sharp Knife ! Very easy learning Curve and Fast!!
I Highly recommend the Ken Onion Edition.

 

[okie]

Worked for Randall 40 years ago ... learned on a Tri-stone oil bath ... Still use it ... i think it is a lost art now !
I do believe the Worksharp is the greatest invention ... Ever ... for the average Joe to have a sharp Knife ! Very easy learning Curve and Fast!!
I Highly recommend the Ken Onion Edition.

bet you have lots of stories to tell....did you take the knife test?

 

[SMITTY33]

bet you have lots of stories to tell....did you take the knife test?

Yes, was an incredible place to work. They converted WD's old home into a museum a couple of years ago ... Got a Guided tour from Gary just prior to it opening. If the family is going to Disney World this is a MUST stop destination, Plan at least a half day!!! Mon - Thur 10 AM-4 PM

 

[okie]

Yes, was an incredible place to work. They converted WD's old home into a museum a couple of years ago ... Got a Guided tour from Gary just prior to it opening. If the family is going to Disney World this is a MUST stop destination, Plan at least a half day!!! Mon - Thur 10 AM-4 PM

neat! yes I went and unfortunately our plans to see it did not work out. I have regretted that ever since. wife says she wants me to blow another ten grand to take the kids again---I will go if i have to fly in early or leave later!!! my kid has been itching to have my old knife---would be nice to let him give his deposit for his own in person. I love American success stories like Randall's. marc

 

[jkohler]

I’ve used a copy of the edge pro professional I made 10 years ago with Shapton glass stones. I have stones that go up to 30k they cut fast and give a scary sharp edge.

 

[Bamban]

I've been making some knives and I use the harbor freight 1×30 belt grinder with a assortment of belts and a leather belt to finish

Could you show us, (me anyway) how the set up is to control the angle. I picked a used 1x42 that I plan to sharpen my knives with. Would love to see how these simple belt sanders are employed

 

[martin22250]

Could you show us, (me anyway) how the set up is to control the angle. I picked a used 1x42 that I plan to sharpen my knives with. Would love to see how these simple belt sanders are employed

 

[Prose]

I’ve used a worksharp and the kennonion version too. Not good enough in my opinion. More of a utilitarian edge whereas I prefer surgical. Also, the convex edge is not appropriate for my needs.

 

[Dud]

I don't know of a need that a convex edge isn't appropriate for.

You don't need an angle jig on a belt sander if you have good feel.

The sharpening and convexing is done on the belt, between pulleys with no backing so the belt can deflect and curve to make the convex, but mostly edge down because when you push to get the convex, that's enough to bite in to the belt, grab your knife and throw it across the shop unless it hits you first.

 

[Prose]

Yeah the sander with a backer seems pretty slick

 

[Papa Charlie]

I learned to sharpen knives when my family owned a small grocery store with a butcher shop. My job was to sharpen my dads knives. Used an oil bath tri stone and a steel. Knives were as sharp as razors. Didn't have to cut the meat, just pull it through.
Later in life used a belt sander to put an edge on my knives followed by a steel. Only use the belt if the knifes edge gets damaged, most cases, just hit it with a steel and they are like razors again. A good steel will maintain the edge created by the belt.
Don't care much for these fancy gizmos that are out there today. Yes it takes some practice but the outcome is far better in my opinion.

 

[wildfowler]

I think there was a post on pocket knives here about two weeks ago and someone provided a link describing various types of steel used for knives.

This article piqued my interest and decided to purchase a knife based on made out of a type of steel that was listed “easy to sharpen“ even though the hardness, durability, edge holding was a lower grade. I just wanted to try a nice that was easy to sharpen.

I bought an inexpensive folding knife from Ontario knife company made out of AUS-8 steel, And I must say a couple of strokes on my “sharpening steel” that I carrier in my truck brought the blade back to shaving sharpness.

I opened a lot of cardboard boxes last week, cutting through the tape to get into the contents and this did work over the edge pretty good but a couple of strokes brought it right back to life which I think will be more practical to me than having a knife that’s more difficult to sharpen that never gets sharpened.

Granted this is only been in my pocket for a couple weeks now and I may not like this knife a year from now or may snap the blade and a half trying to use it as a screwdriver but I love being able to sharpen it very easily and quickly.

Food for thought....

 

[jimmymac]

I use a Lansky holder with Gatko diamond hones when time is not a factor and I'm looking for shaving sharp.

For everyday use where plenty sharp is sharp enough it's hard to beat a V-Sharp. Easy and fast.

https://warthogusa.com/product/classic-ii/

They have different grit stones you can use. The first time through it takes a bit longer to establish the angle, but subsequent sharpenings take 30 seconds or less.

 

[jds holler]

Y'all aint gonna like this, but I believe that if a guy can't take a decent Carborundum two grit stone, and bring his knife to a good utilitarian edge without much fuss, --well he must be some kind of girly-man. jd