NEW ! Knife Sharpening/Maintenace thread

[servant403]

Where are you getting the magnetic table for the Pro model?

Right from Edge Pro. If you have a older model like mine you just send it to them and they retrofit it for 45 bucks and 10 shipping. If you have a Apex they sell a magnet specifically designed for the Apex for 20 bucks I think.

 

[Richard Jones]

Right from Edge Pro. If you have a older model like mine you just send it to them and they retrofit it for 45 bucks and 10 shipping. If you have a Apex they sell a magnet specifically designed for the Apex for 20 bucks I think.

Thanks. I've seen the Apex table on their site, but nothing about the Pro. Will contact them forthwith.....

 

[servant403]

I just looked at the prices of the Pro Model. Wow they went up a bit. They are up there in price now. Ive had mine for over 10 years and paid much less. The basic Apex is still about 165. I remember when they were about 100. But there is a lot of stuff you can add to either model. Even scissor sharpeners. And the stones are cheaper than the Wicked Edge because you dont need 2. And there many more other manufacturers of stones that fit the Edge Pro.

 

[servant403]

Received my Edge Pro Professional back with the magnetized table option. Great upgrade. The magnets are very strong and hold the blade very well. I did a lot of sharpening without the upgrade. But as i got older my hand tremors have increased. This is the ticket. And it still easy to slide a long chef knife along the table to keep the blade centered on the table.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I have the most sophisticated method ever. I do use two sides so the angle stays roughly the same for my very rough free hand method. 800 grit Japanese stone. Ebay, about 25 dollars used.

 

[jepp2]

Old stones plus ones I pick up from garage sales.
A nice big Arkansas, some finer carbide, then porcelain.
Spit for lube, push the edge first, away from me.
Its how grandpa taught me.

My technique is similar however I use Norton stone oil to keep the metal floating so I can clean it off. Granted, I've been sharpening knives for a long, long time. But I would put my sharpening up against any of the systems listed in this thread, and feel I would take away the pot of $$.

Tried to teach a guy I've hunted with. Got him guides, loaned him my Lansky that just sits in the cabinet. He would greatly benefit from any of the ones listed. He doesn't seem to grasp what needs to be done. Even tried to him him understand with pictures and critique of his work. No luck.

 

[Lkwebb]

how do you gauge how sharp your knife is, asking for a

When I can slice paper in mid air

 

[DiffEQ]

how do you gauge how sharp your knife is, asking for a friend

I do the tomato test.
Store bought tomatoes have a rubbery, tough skin.
Take one that is ripe, its skin is still like latex.
A good edge should cut through the tomato with only gravity as the downward force. You only have to push forward on the blade like the scoring stroke with a hand saw.

 

[6MMsteve]

I do the tomato test.
Store bought tomatoes have a rubbery, tough skin.
Take one that is ripe, its skin is still like latex.
A good edge should cut through the tomato with only gravity as the downward force. You only have to push forward on the blade like the scoring stroke with a hand saw.

I push forward on paper not letting the blade off line looking for a clean push stroke, I just use diamond stones, and strop with paste, now a handplane iron I can get scary sharp, but I use a veritas jig

 

[servant403]

Been using the magnetic table top with my Edge Pro Professional. The upgrade is worth it. No hand fatigue. The magnet is so strong you can sharpen almost one handed.

 

[Prose]

Been using the magnetic table top with my Edge Pro Professional. The upgrade is worth it. No hand fatigue. The magnet is so strong you can sharpen almost one handed.

Have you tried out those diamond matrix stones yet? What do you think?

 

[servant403]

Have you tried out those diamond matrix stones yet? What do you think?

Yes I really have not sharpened enough with them to form an opinion. I only have 2 the 650 and 1100. Used them in conjuction with a 220 regular Edge Pro stone. Worked well enough. But I want to see how long they last for that price.
Another attachment I really like is the slide guide. Really nice for shorter blades.

 

[majohnson]

On your T4 try the side of the wheel. Just pay attention to the wheel rotation. I would do on my plane irons I did not want a hollow grind on. Because on hand plane irons you want the edge support. Also charge a clean leather wheel with diamond paste. You can get things ridiculously sharp with the paste. Works better then the valve lapping paste from Clover that so many recommend.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

My technique is similar however I use Norton stone oil to keep the metal floating so I can clean it off. Granted, I've been sharpening knives for a long, long time. But I would put my sharpening up against any of the systems listed in this thread, and feel I would take away the pot of $$.

Tried to teach a guy I've hunted with. Got him guides, loaned him my Lansky that just sits in the cabinet. He would greatly benefit from any of the ones listed. He doesn't seem to grasp what needs to be done. Even tried to him him understand with pictures and critique of his work. No luck.

View attachment 1431772

very nice edge!

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

B+++ solution. I use bon ami to get the ceramic rod cleaned up. Lansky rods. the diamond rod is very abrasive. I rarely use the diamond rod.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I'm not up on the HI-Tech. stuff. I use my Grandfathers stones and steels. He worked for Hormel in the Beef-cut area for 42 years 1917-1959. He taught me young how to keep an edge and I haven't cut myself with one of my knifes yet.

I would like to hear what your Granddad taught you, if you have time one of these days.

 

[snert]

Observation:
As I read this thread it occured to me how many shooters must feel when they read our reloading threads.

I coudn't sharpen a knife if I tried a hundred years. So as I read this all I could think of is the old "knooter valve" stories pulling the wool over the eyes of ignorant car owners. You guys could tell me to strop a knife across the tightened skin of a hippopotomus scrotum bathed in talcum powder and bourbon and I wouldn't question it.
I am following this, but have no idea what the heck you are all talking about!

 

[Prose]

Observation:
As I read this thread it occured to me how many shooters must feel when they read our reloading threads.

I coudn't sharpen a knife if I tried a hundred years. So as I read this all I could think of is the old "knooter valve" stories pulling the wool over the eyes of ignorant car owners. You guys could tell me to strop a knife across the tightened skin of a hippopotomus scrotum bathed in talcum powder and bourbon and I wouldn't question it.
I am following this, but have no idea what the heck you are all talking about!

Dude you are hilarious.

 

[snert]

Dude you are hilarious.

Thank you, thank you. I'll be here every night this week...

 

[snert]

I've been inundated with PMs. I have always known that AS forum members, and shooters in general are a resourceful lot, and generous too. Thanks to @DustyStevens, @joshb and @MrMajestic I have a dull knife and two of the three key ingredients. Who thought Bourbon would be the hard to find key to a sharp knife?