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Knife sharpening recommendations?

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Topic: Knife sharpening recommendations?
Posted By: flyspy1
Subject: Knife sharpening recommendations?
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 15:25

I know this is a site about scopes, but you guys seem like you hunt a fair bit, and as such, may have some opinion/recommendations about knife sharpeners.  I've always just used a whetstone and oil, but I see some Lansky / Gatco sharpening systems on popular outdoor websites.  I don't think you sell any Mr. Chris.  Anyhow, if you guys have used one, I'd appreciate your opinions on how they, or any other, sharpeners might work for you.  Thanks in advance.




Replies:
Posted By: cyborg
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 15:34
I use smiths, it works well. I also do the good old Arkansas moonstone, and WD-40. Then polish that bad boy with a barbers razor strap 

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Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 15:36
this is for a quick tune up i like mine it works not only on straight blades but serated blades as well
www.accusharp.com


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Posted By: Dogger
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 15:52
Have used the Syperderco Triangle Sharpener for years.  Works really well if your blade is only moderately dull, otherwise need to go back to my diamond grit stone.
 
http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/204mf.html - http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/204mf.html


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Posted By: silver
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 16:18

I like the Spyderco stones.  Bob Dozier recomends/sells the large DMT stones and says that thier shop did not know what sharp was until used them.  Bob's stuff is very sharp out of the box. Some wet dry sandpaper on a solid surface works well.

To answer you question: The guides you mention work OK on smaller knives.  That is if you like the set angles they have.  The problem is that on longer blades the angle changes a little as you move the stone down the blade.  Any conture in the blade can change the angle also.

I'd suggest trying a search under Razor Edge sharpening systems.  Read thier book!  Play with thier stones.  TRY THIER GUIDE! You can set the blade to any angle you want. 


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Posted By: www.technika.nu
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 16:51
I have tried mostly systems, and even though I am a toolmaker and very good at filing I must say that I hate all manual systems like stones, triangle, lanskys etc.
Some years ago i bought a system they sell here that is called Normek.
The knifes gets very sharp and within farily short time, and the sharpness is far beyond the sharpness I could get with the other systems.
I don't say this is the ultimate system, cause I have seen some scalpell grinders that have been very efficient.
 
Here it is, with fixture to hold the knife.
 
The rotating "strop" makes the final job and also mostly of the resharpening of an already frinded knife.
 
 
Final test, if a knife can be used as a razor then it's sharp.
"of course I always uses a razor for my shaving as it's sharper and easyer to use than all other modern toys"
Regards Technika
 
 
 


Posted By: RONK
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 17:42
Originally posted by www.technika.nu www.technika.nu wrote:

I have tried mostly systems, and even though I am a toolmaker and very good at filing I must say that I hate all manual systems like stones, triangle, lanskys etc.
Some years ago i bought a system they sell here that is called Normek.
The knifes gets very sharp and within farily short time, and the sharpness is far beyond the sharpness I could get with the other systems.
I don't say this is the ultimate system, cause I have seen some scalpell grinders that have been very efficient.
 
Here it is, with fixture to hold the knife.
 
The rotating "strop" makes the final job and also mostly of the resharpening of an already frinded knife.
 
 
Final test, if a knife can be used as a razor then it's sharp.
"of course I always uses a razor for my shaving as it's sharper and easyer to use than all other modern toys"
Regards Technika
 
 
 
+1 
 It's a TORMEK (with a T),  at least as it is marketed in the States. My brother has one and you can get things wickedly sharp with it. Highly recommended!


Posted By: flyspy1
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 19:00
That's an awesome looking machine!  I will definitely look for one!  I imagine it must be fairly expensive, maybe there's one floating around used somewhere.  The only reason I wanted to try something other than the original stone is because it's a knife that my friend made for me and it's really nice and I would hate to mar it any more than I had to.  Thanks Tech.  Just out of curiosity, do you make your own knives also?


Posted By: Longhunter
Date Posted: November/30/2007 at 22:13

Silver's suggestion that you read Razor Edge's book is a good one.  I found it helpful and informative. 

The trick, though, is finding a sharpening system that works for you.  This can vary, depending upon the Rockwell hardness of your knife's blade.  Case knives, for example, use a relatively soft steel.  In contrast, a lot of custom knives are made of much harder steels. 
 
I do my sharpening with an Eze Lap 8-inch fine diamond stone on a wooden base.  This works very well with just about everything, including today's hard knife steels (which I own and like).  I've tried the Razor Edge system, India stones, and Arkansas stones, but this is what works best for me.  It's a good idea to practice with your cheapest knives while you develop your technique.  


Posted By: www.technika.nu
Date Posted: December/01/2007 at 00:29
Of course it's a Tormek, spelling error on my side.
 
This machine costs around 300-350 Dollars.
But quite often turns up around 100-200 second handed here.
 
Regards Technika


Posted By: flyspy1
Date Posted: December/01/2007 at 12:35
For those of you that might be interested, here's a comparison of the Tormek versus the Jet sharpeners.  It's a little bit cheaper than the tormek.  Also, the comparison is written more for woodworking tools than knives, but interesting nonetheless.       http://www.joewoodworker.com/tormek.htm - http://www.joewoodworker.com/tormek.htm
 
 


Posted By: Duce
Date Posted: December/01/2007 at 13:18
The tormek has gone up is price in the US, over 500 now. You may want to check with WASCO for a paper wheel system used to sharpen scalpels. you provide the grinder 1/2 inch spindles everything is around $50 . That is the wildlife artist supply company.
 
Duce Smile


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Duce


Posted By: flyspy1
Date Posted: December/01/2007 at 13:35
Just checked out that WASCO site.  Found the paper wheels, and they are much cheaper just like you said.  I would have to fashion some sort of guide system but that shouldn't be too hard after I figure the angles out.  Thanks!


Posted By: Duce
Date Posted: December/01/2007 at 13:42
Yes and they are a lot cheaper to replace and they will get a knife blade razor sharp, you may want to call them for advice on how to get best results.
 
Duce  Smile


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Duce



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