Knife Sharpening

[338 dude]

I'll admit that I don't have much use for a "shaving edge" on my everyday carry knife, nor with almost every other knife. A knife that will shave, is good for showing off and shaving, but that edge will be gone with one swipe of the crap that I usually cut on my job.

I'd feel pretty bad if I couldn't grab a 2x4 stone of most any kind, and bring my edge to a "near shave" sharpness. The advice I'd give for anyone who wants to keep your knife decently sharp and easy to resharpen, is NEVER cheat on your bevel. It's pure kid's stuff to take a dull knife and want to bring it to an edge with a couple licks. Do that and you have just changed your bevel from 20 degrees to 30. Pretty soon you've got an edge that takes a half hour to bring back.

I've been using these knives for awhile, they aren't fancy or expensive, but work for me. I've gutted "and skinned" deer and elk with them, and otherwise mis-used them for about anything you could think of.
View attachment 1139048

I guess if I had fancier knives, and less use for them, I'd prolly spend more time making them shave. jd

I like your style great minds think a like

 

[Prose]

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. View attachment 1138279View attachment 1138281

The Edge Pro is really intriguing. I had not heard of it before posting about this. Seems like it's pretty exacting. You have a parts list for how to build your own?

 

[jkohler]

The Edge Pro is really intriguing. I had not heard of it before posting about this. Seems like it's pretty exacting. You have a parts list for how to build your own?

Prose I don’t have any drawing of it. I got to play with one so I just grabbed some pictures and took a few measurements and went to building one. After some practice it will put a very accurate sharp edge on a blade.

 

[SGK]

All you ever wanted to know about sharpening knives (and more) on this guy's channel

 

[XTR]

I had a Ken Onion Worksharp for one day. I still have knives with a knotch in the base. I'm sure belts are good for some applications.

I'll stick with hand honing.

I've got stones from 150 to 12,000 (I hone my straight razors myself too)

 

[Prose]

I ordered a Tormek. Should have it next Friday. Appreciate the interaction on this one. I learned a good bit.

 

[muleman69]

I open a lot of hay bales over the winter months and the twine will dull a knife as quick as anything. Also when packing you need a sharp knife at all times to cut ropes when the sh..t hits the fan. What I do is put an edge on with the worksharp then run it over a leather wheel I made after applying a small amount of jewelers rouge. I make the wheel by sewing heavy leather disks together then putting them on a cheap harbor freight grinder, LETHAL sharp

 

[Knotwild]

I agree about the ability to make a nice knife ugly on the Worksharp. I suppose someone who works with grinders would have no problem with it. But if you are like me (inexperienced) by a cheap knife and practice with it. I just use a Lansky and touch it up several times a week on ceramic sticks. The Lansky helps me keep the angle of the grind right. I am a beginner for sure.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I open a lot of hay bales over the winter months and the twine will dull a knife as quick as anything. Also when packing you need a sharp knife at all times to cut ropes when the sh..t hits the fan. What I do is put an edge on with the worksharp then run it over a leather wheel I made after applying a small amount of jewelers rouge. I make the wheel by sewing heavy leather disks together then putting them on a cheap harbor freight grinder, LETHAL sharp

That’s a great idea muleman. How big of diameter do you make the disks?
I hate to to admit it but I carry a cheap folder that takes the replacement razor blades for the hay twine and wrap.

 

[okie]

That’s a great idea muleman. How big of diameter do you make the disks?
I hate to to admit it but I carry a cheap folder that takes the replacement razor blades for the hay twine and wrap.

I used to keep cheap knives on the tractor that I would sharpen on the edge of a chop saw until my buddy gave me one that takes the razors. It is the best thing I have used for hay especially opening silage bales--

 

[okie]

I open a lot of hay bales over the winter months and the twine will dull a knife as quick as anything. Also when packing you need a sharp knife at all times to cut ropes when the sh..t hits the fan. What I do is put an edge on with the worksharp then run it over a leather wheel I made after applying a small amount of jewelers rouge. I make the wheel by sewing heavy leather disks together then putting them on a cheap harbor freight grinder, LETHAL sharp

neat, bet that is a fast way to get a razor edge!--cant buy a flap wheel?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I used to keep cheap knives on the tractor that I would sharpen on the edge of a chop saw until my buddy gave me one that takes the razors. It is the best thing I have used for hay especially opening silage bales--

Wal-Mart has a black and white colored one now that’s all plastic. It weighs nothing to carry in pants pocket. Sheffield brand, less than $4.

 

[okie]

Wal-Mart has a black and white colored one now that’s all plastic. It weighs nothing to carry in pants pocket. Sheffield brand, less than $4.

Thanks I will have to try the plastic one. If I forget and leave them in the cup holder in the buggy the screws that hold them together rattle out and they fall apart...

 

[daniel brothers]

On Amazon.... Leather wheels and belts.

BeaverCraft PW1 Sharpening Wheel Stropping 3" Wheel Leather Wheel $20.95

1x30 inch Leather Honing Strop Belt Super Strop fits 1x30 Powered Belt Sanders $14.99

 

[daniel brothers]

this sure is a no-brainer knife....for 26.95

I'm hitting the buy it now button for myself... Merry Christmas to ME....LOL.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP8B4JO/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[Prose]

My buddy used the outdoor edge system hunting this year. Not very impressed. Six blades will last you about the same as a good edge on a decent buck knife (as witnessed processing side by side and watching my buddy wear out six blades between two deer). I do see the market for this though, not to discredit it.

 

[Dud]

I'll admit that I don't have much use for a "shaving edge" on my everyday carry knife, nor with almost every other knife. A knife that will shave, is good for showing off and shaving, but that edge will be gone with one swipe of the crap that I usually cut on my job.

I'd feel pretty bad if I couldn't grab a 2x4 stone of most any kind, and bring my edge to a "near shave" sharpness. The advice I'd give for anyone who wants to keep your knife decently sharp and easy to resharpen, is NEVER cheat on your bevel. It's pure kid's stuff to take a dull knife and want to bring it to an edge with a couple licks. Do that and you have just changed your bevel from 20 degrees to 30. Pretty soon you've got an edge that takes a half hour to bring back.

I've been using these knives for awhile, they aren't fancy or expensive, but work for me. I've gutted "and skinned" deer and elk with them, and otherwise mis-used them for about anything you could think of.
View attachment 1139048

I guess if I had fancier knives, and less use for them, I'd prolly spend more time making them shave. jd

When you step up to a steel that has higher hardness and better edge retention, you can get that razor edge and keep it going if the geometry of the edge and behind the edge are good.

My best knives can survive heavy use with minor dulling. After that, a few strokes with a smooth steel will realign the edge and if that doesn't bring it back to razor sharp, a little bit of stropping will.

It's a lot better than dealing with a dull knife and spending a lot of time sharpening it.

 

[NV_Dmax]

I open a lot of hay bales over the winter months and the twine will dull a knife as quick as anything. Also when packing you need a sharp knife at all times to cut ropes when the sh..t hits the fan. What I do is put an edge on with the worksharp then run it over a leather wheel I made after applying a small amount of jewelers rouge. I make the wheel by sewing heavy leather disks together then putting them on a cheap harbor freight grinder, LETHAL sharp

I use a paper wheel and a leather wheel, just like you do, on a Harbor freight motor. Takes a few seconds and all my knives including kitchen and butcher knives are mirror polished edge and effortless sharp. Almost have to see it to believe it.

 

[muleman69]

I use a paper wheel and a leather wheel, just like you do, on a Harbor freight motor. Takes a few seconds and all my knives including kitchen and butcher knives are mirror polished edge and effortless sharp. Almost have to see it to believe it.

How do make your paper wheel? Do you run blade over the paper wheel first or last?

 

[daniel brothers]

BUT..... what kind of sharpener do you take to your in-laws on turkey day... when the cook says... Bring something to sharpen my knives if you want to eat today