Sharpening Systems

[pistolero]

Dear All,

I was hoping to start a meaningful discussion on Knife/Sword sharpening, and the various sharpening systems available out there, including our collective experience on using the same.

Having used, Lansky, Edge Pro & a host of other systems, I was on the lookout for a system, which took out the guess work on the angle and catered to large & small sizes blades.

After digging around,I have recently ordered the Wicked Edge sharpening system, http://www.wickededgeusa.com kit.
(will let you know how it works) [youtube][/youtube]

In the meanwhile, I was hoping we could share tips and methods of keeping our precious steel's SHARP!

Back in India, I remember the Guy on the Bicycle sharpening knives on the stone, I did once give him my "Rambo" knife purchased from "Manish Market" and the guy managed to scratch it all over! It was a complete disaster, it took me a lot of time to restore that one

I kept looking for a professional sharpening service in Mumbai, but never found one, this is one of the reasons, I first got into sharpening myself. Over the years, I have managed to Dull & sharpen quiet a few knives, and I imagine, in the early days, I dulled more than I sharpened

As this has been an ongoing affair, and would love to learn more about sharpening techniques.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Regards,
Pistolero

[Moin.]

Oh goodie good good, another knife loving mumbaikar... There are one or two quite exhaustive threads here on Sharpening Systems. Me and Slinghshot were thinking of jointly investing in an Edge Pro System. Edge Pro and Wicked Edge are considered the Rolls and Bentley of the Sharpening systems both retailing for more than USD 200....

I have used the Lansky and it has its limitations for use on larger blades, other members like Slinghot, Rajat & Choombak use the Spyderco Sharpmaker I think.

Since you have used the Edge Pro and assuming you are still in possesion of the kit, how about a nice review and lots and lots of photographs. And yes once you get the wicked edge system do post a detailed review and yes, if you are unhappy with the Edge Pro and looking at disposing it, drop me a PM....

P.S: Did you order the WickedEdge with all the bells and whistles, i mean with the strops, polishing compounds and superfine ceramic stones ???

[Mack The Knife]

I have moved away from the systems and freehand sharpen my knives.

[Mark]

I have moved away from the systems and freehand sharpen my knives.

+1!!!

[Skyman]

What do the both of you use? oil stones?

[Mark]

It depends on the knife and what I am feeling like.

If I had to pick one type of stone over all the others, I'd probably go with the japanese water stones, but they aren't perfect either as they will wear and need to get dressed and flattened every once in a while. The natural novaculite-based oil stones are nice too, but the oil can get messy and the finer grades can get somewhat slow to sharpen with. India stones are nice and fast cutting but too coarse for a final edge on a knife but great for axes.

I'll drag a pile of different ones out for the IFG meet and people can try their hands at the various types, including diamond ones and a couple of powered ones too and that might help you form some opinions other than just mine as well.

[slingshot]

I have moved away from the systems and freehand sharpen my knives.

Mack The Knife, I am in total agreement with your philosophy. Free hand sharpening is the best method of sharpening knives, especially if the edge needs to be strong and if anyone wants easy re-sharpening. I must also share, that I have rarely found anyone who can create such flawless partial convexing as you. Massive applause.

I am re-learning convexing. And I am definitely going to put them on my fixed blades, one by one.

During my kitchen days, we used sharpening stones and simple rods to keep the convex edge hair popping keen. These days, most of the blades that I own, have compound double bevels or a V grind. For these blades, the sharpening system that works for me is the Spyderco Sharpmaker. In a way, it is still a guided free hand system and allows me the flexibility of sharpening the longer blades without an issue. Also, there is some level of skill needed....as it is a free hand system. I dont want some of these blades (especially the folders) to get a Convex edge.

Moin and I are looking at the Edge Pro as its better to have one between the two of us And any information on the Edge pro will be very welcome

[Moin.]

It depends on the knife and what I am feeling like.

If I had to pick one type of stone over all the others, I'd probably go with the japanese water stones, but they aren't perfect either as they will wear and need to get dressed and flattened every once in a while. The natural novaculite-based oil stones are nice too, but the oil can get messy and the finer grades can get somewhat slow to sharpen with. India stones are nice and fast cutting but too coarse for a final edge on a knife but great for axes.

I'll drag a pile of different ones out for the IFG meet and people can try their hands at the various types, including diamond ones and a couple of powered ones too and that might help you form some opinions other than just mine as well.

Can you get the blade as scary sharp by free hand sharpening as you can with a guided system ? Will take years and years of practice perhaps ?

Regards
Moin

[Mack The Knife]

What do the both of you use? oil stones?

I haven't got myself any good stones yet, so for now it's 3M Wet or Dry over glass for v-edges and over leather for convex edges.

[Mack The Knife]

Free hand sharpening is the best method of sharpening knives, especially if the edge needs to be strong and if anyone wants easy re-sharpening. I must also share, that I have rarely found anyone who can create such flawless partial convexing as you. Massive applause.

Edge strength is a function of edge geometry and/or angle. So if you need a stronger edge, just increase the angle.

Thanks but it is far from flawless. Have another look at the ESEE-6 and you will see that the convex is slightly narrower from belly to tip. I have convexed less than ten knives so I still have some way to go.

My current convexing rig is only 4.75" x 2" and it tends to be a bit limiting when doing a larger knife such as the 6. I am in the process of making a new and larger rig but am having a tough time finding the appropriate quality of leather.

You are right about a convex edge being easy to sharpen in the field. It is equally easy with v-edges.

[Mack The Knife]

Can you get the blade as scary sharp by free hand sharpening as you can with a guided system ? Will take years and years of practice perhaps ?

It's not the sharpening system used that determines the sharpness of the edge. It's the person doing the sharpening that matters. 90% of the edge sharpness must be achieved at the coarsest grit, otherwise one is merely polishing a less than satisfactory edge by going up in grits or taking unnecessarily long to achieve the desired sharpness with finer grits.

One or two knives is all it takes to get the hang of free hand sharpening. After that it is merely a question of refinement.

Most people I know cannot put a satisfatory edge on a knife using a guided sharpening system because they haven't got the basics right.

[icemanV]

Can you get the blade as scary sharp by free hand sharpening as you can with a guided system ? Will take years and years of practice perhaps ?

Most people I know cannot put a satisfatory edge on a knife using a guided sharpening system because they haven't got the basics right.

Tell me about it.

[Moin.]

Can you get the blade as scary sharp by free hand sharpening as you can with a guided system ? Will take years and years of practice perhaps ?

It's not the sharpening system used that determines the sharpness of the edge. It's the person doing the sharpening that matters. 90% of the edge sharpness must be achieved at the coarsest grit, otherwise one is merely polishing a less than satisfactory edge by going up in grits or taking unnecessarily long to achieve the desired sharpness with finer grits.

One or two knives is all it takes to get the hang of free hand sharpening. After that it is merely a question of refinement.

Most people I know cannot put a satisfatory edge on a knife using a guided sharpening system because they haven't got the basics right.

Surprising, a person who buys a guided system generally has atleast a basic understanding of these things therefore spending the kind of money on a shaprmaker or a Lansky. Difficult to beleive people can't get it right even with a guided system which is so very simple for a layman.

Also, It's so comparatively easy to ruin a good blade free hand than with a guided system.

But my question was comparing the edges free hand vs a guided sharpenin g system by someone who know what's he doing. Can you get a KMT like edge freehand ?

[Mack The Knife]

Also, It's so comparatively easy to ruin a good blade free hand than with a guided system.

Only if you did not know how to freehand.

But my question was comparing the edges free hand vs a guided sharpenin g system by someone who know what's he doing. Can you get a KMT like edge freehand ?

I haven't felt a KMT honed edge, so I really wouldn't know. However, I can get an edge that I would be very afraid to shave with. I think Kyley Harris puts a better freehand edge on his knives compared to what I have seen on the Edge Pro and Wicked Edge promos.

P.S.: Would you really want a scary sharp edge on a user knife? I wouldn't. It's easy to chip or roll a very fine edge. It's all very well for claimimg bragging rights but when I am outdoors, I just want my knife to cut without edge failure.

[Skyman]

Mack The Knife, can you elaborate on this glass business? Also i know good leather guys can help you out if you wish.