Sharpening suggestions for a complete rookie.

[django.cj]

I guess the key is to get em sharp, then it's easy to keep em sharp.

that's the truth. I never even touch the coarse rods for my sharpmaker. A few passes on the ceramic rods, a few stropes, and they pop hairs.

[andrea.from.roma]

In my opinion, sharpening a blade is something you don't improvise. It takes practice and patience, two things I totally miss in most of the things I do. But I've read a lot about sharpening and I've come to the conclusion that there are mainly three different ways: the quick way, the easy way and the right way.

By that I mean: sharpeners like the ones Fiskars makes (I use this one on most of my working knives and it works great), sharpeners like the one Spyderco makes (easy to use after a while, very good results as far as I know) and waterstones (hard to use, you need to practice practice practice to get good results).

Eventually, if I had a very expensive knife I'd go for waterstones. I mean, if you have enough money to buy an expensive knife, why not spend a little more on a professional sharpening kit?

A.

[John]

I'm all for the sharpmaker I mean if you can achieve hair popping sharpness in two minutes that'll do for me plus it weighs nothing so in theory it could be transported on camping trips quite easily.

Really blunt knives well! that's a different story and will need a degree of skill and time on waterstones, I guess the trick is to not let your knives get so blunt in the first place,maintaining the edge is the key




[edit] In fact it has been said if you strop after each use most of the time this will be all that is required to maintain the edge 

[Dunc]

I'm all for the sharpmaker I mean if you can achieve hair popping sharpness in two minutes that'll do for me plus it weighs nothing so in theory it could be transported on camping trips quite easily.

Really blunt knives well! that's a different story and will need a degree of skill and time on waterstones I guess the trick is to not let your knives get so blunt in the first place,maintaining the edge is the key

Just remember if you take the sharpmaker camping be sure its on level ground when you use it otherwise the angles will be wrong.

Dunc

[John]

I'm all for the sharpmaker I mean if you can achieve hair popping sharpness in two minutes that'll do for me plus it weighs nothing so in theory it could be transported on camping trips quite easily.

Really blunt knives well! that's a different story and will need a degree of skill and time on waterstones I guess the trick is to not let your knives get so blunt in the first place,maintaining the edge is the key

Just remember if you take the sharpmaker camping be sure its on level ground

Dunc

Absolutely without question    

[Poncho65]

I started wanting to learn sharpening at about the same time this thread started I had a few V sharpeners but quit using them per advice here b4 ruining any edges Then I decided to go the route of the Sharpmaker which is an absolute wonder device and I am very glad to have bought it Of course like Ben I wanted to learn freehand sharpening So I got a few of the small credit card sized DMT plates and they work well as I have since learned how to freehand sharpen After a while I found myself wanting the same 3 grits I had with the smaller DMTs in a larger size so I went 4 the 6X2 DMT benchstones and they work for nicely So all in all I have learned the skill of sharpening but it is an ongoing process and can take alot of practice but it is well worth it in the end I also plan on getting 1 of those lovely DC4 stones as well and who knows what else I will end up with

[glkdc58]

Well, I've decided to get a Sharpmaker, based on a preponderance of positive remarks in this thread.  Some day may get a couple DMT stones for fun.

[Poncho65]

Well, I've decided to get a Sharpmaker, based on a preponderance of positive remarks in this thread.  Some day may get a couple DMT stones for fun.

If it's for fun then you will definitely get the DMT stones I like the 6X2 size but the 8X3 would be much better because the bigger the stone the easier it is to keep and hold the angle Just keep at it and practice you will get the hand of it

[andrea.from.roma]

I'm just about to go for an ambitious goal on my Spirit: getting rid of the serrations, reprofiling the edge to a 20 degrees 'V' shape and then sharpen it with a two sided stone. May the force be with me.

A.

[Dunc]

I'm just about to go for an ambitious goal on my Spirit: getting rid of the serrations, reprofiling the edge to a 20 degrees 'V' shape and then sharpen it with a two sided stone. May the force be with me.

A.

You sure about this 



Dunc

[John]

Until I can afford a sharpmaker I'm using a protractor to set the steel/stone angle "freehand" a level surface and a steel, it seems to work,as I have nothing else  I just keep the blade vertical,mind you this way you'll need steady hands    

[ratslash7]

Until I can afford a sharpmaker I'm using a protractor to set the steel/stone angle "freehand" a level surface and a steel, it seems to work,as I have nothing else  I just keep the blade vertical,mind you this way you'll need steady hands    

Interesting approach. Hmmm...

[andrea.from.roma]

You sure about this  



Dunc

No, but it's already too late.

The serrations are gone and the edge of the blade is smooth and even, it looks good. Since I've never tried anything like this, I'm happy with the results so far. All I need know now is an extra-fine grit stone to get the blade razor sharp. I'll post some pics when the work is done.

A.

[Gareth]

Sounds good Andrea. 

[andrea.from.roma]

Sounds good Andrea. 

Thanks. Now let's see if it looks good too...



Close to the tip of the blade, you'll see the only mistake I've made: I went a little overboard there, too much confidence I guess. But it's nothing serious, it seems huge but it's actually just a scratch. I'm happy.

I can't wait to sharpen it a little better and test it.

A.