Sharpening suggestions for a complete rookie.

[crls1]

Have any of you had any luck with those V-sharpeners such as Smith's or Gerber's? I bought a Smith's and it put what I think is a reasonably good edge on, but to be honest, I've ruined as many good edges as I've sharpened.

Stay away from those, they will only ruin your blade, and you'll have a lot of trouble triying to repair the damage (i know from bad experience).

Carlos

[Roadie]

Today is a good day! (well in some respects, still got a 70page report to spruce up ) I managed to get my F1 "shaving" sharp Quite happy with my self really!

[Benner]

What did you use then mate?

[Roadie]

Just sand paper and a mouse mat, and a bit of time! Went down a few grits to get it there but it seems to be holding up fine, not that i've used it hard though.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good on ya mate . Convex grinds can be a complete git until you get the knack

[Tarrodemierda]

i found this vintage v-sharpener today,its very well preserved,made in germany and i tried it on a dull old kitchen knife,and id say it does quite good job.also on the other end is a glass cutter and i think those little grooves that resemble a bottle opener,have a function too but i dont know what.maybe theyre simply just for some lanyard?
the scales are un-broken on the both sides too and chrome is ok also.

[AndyTiedye]

Pretty much

It seem's they pay in Dollars, what we pay in pounds

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3595

So shop here!   You're money goes twice as far.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

For the most part that's exactly what most of us brits do

[glkdc58]

Newbie here, don't know if this thread is a dead end in that it hasn't been posted to in awhile, but here goes nothing.

First off, this tread is a great read - started researching the art of knife sharpening last night, on YouTube and now with this thread ... and not surprisingly found a lot of different preferences.  I love the idea of free handing it for most blades but I am a bit intimidated by the prospect of sharpening the harder blades (S30V) this way.  At this point I need to limit myself to one system (stones vs. DMT vs. Lansky vs. Spyderco etc).  I'm leaning towards the Spyderco - even though it takes out most of the "art" of sharpening, it sounds, from some of the comments in this thread, that a novice like me would likely have better success with it on the harder blades ($54 at Amazon).  Decisions, decisions.

My question: does anyone know what the factory angle(s) (profile and/or edge) are for Leatherman multitools?  Do they vary by tool or are they the same across the board?  Thanks.

Greg

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Can't help you with your LM geometry question. But your right to be leaning towards the Sharp maker as it is a superb system. Plus it does allow you to sharpen free handed if you use the channels on the bottom of the base to lay your stones in

[Magnus]

I would recommend the lansky, for a newbie it is rather idiot proof as long as you get the rods strait.

[Benner]

After having the Sharpmaker a while I have learnt that is is a great system, however, is only a "touch up" system really.  If you get something really blunt, the Sharpmaker really just doesn't cut it from my experience and something like the Lansky is needed.  The solution really is to buy both (sadly) and that is what I plan to do ASAP.

[Raukodur]

Benner, which whetstone did you get from Heinnie, the DC3 or 4? Am I right in thinking there is just a difference in size and nothing else? What have your experiences been with it so far?

(thinking of getting a whetstone now to keep my damascene blade razor sharp)

[John]

Ok the sharpmaker is definitely on my wish list  but Ben which Lansky set up are you contemplating?   

[Gareth]

Benner, which whetstone did you get from Heinnie, the DC3 or 4? Am I right in thinking there is just a difference in size and nothing else? What have your experiences been with it so far?

(thinking of getting a whetstone now to keep my damascene blade razor sharp)

yes the only difference is in the size.  Much as I like the DC4 even it's still quite small and I wouldn't want it as my only sharpening stone.  great for touch-ups and on-the-go sharpening though.