Brief Mini Rant , no offence to anyone .

[Styerman]

Why do Peeps. always look for sharpening systems and gadgets ? Pocket sharpeners in particular . Get a good quality small stone , and a few lower end paring knives with good quality steel ( ie: Victorinox ) , and Smurfing learn to sharpen .

A good set up for field use is a Spyderco doublestuff , make yourself a leather slip for it , rub a bit of buffing compound into the leather . The chances of needing to deal with serrations in an average outing are pretty slim , anyway ; a leather bootlace loaded with buffing compound will keep serrations in trim .

I'm as bad as anyone else in this regard , I own just about every sharpening gadget on the planet . At least in time of need I can default to a good or often not so good flat stone .

Chris

[David]

Why do Peeps. always look for sharpening systems and gadgets ? Pocket sharpeners in particular . Get a good quality small stone , and a few lower end paring knives with good quality steel ( ie: Victorinox ) , and Smurfing learn to sharpen .
A good set up for field use is a Spyderco doublestuff , make yourself a leather slip for it , rub a bit of buffing compound into the leather . The chances of needing to deal with serrations in an average outing are pretty slim , anyway ; a leather bootlace loaded with buffing compound will keep serrations in trim .

I'm as bad as anyone else in this regard , I own just about every sharpening gadget on the planet . At least in time of need I can default to a good or often not so good flat stone .

Chris

I hear you Chris. Sharpening a knife is not rocket science. But a lot of people seem to struggle with it.
Being able to keep the same constant angle on both sides of the blade as you sharpen the knife comes from lots of pratice.   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I agree mate

Although I own a sharpmaker, there's no substitute to being able to use coffee mug bottom in emergencies IMO

A DC4 or DMT duo fold make good pocket sharpeners too

[Breezy12]

Why do Peeps. always look for sharpening systems and gadgets ? Pocket sharpeners in particular . Get a good quality small stone , and a few lower end paring knives with good quality steel ( ie: Victorinox ) , and Smurfing learn to sharpen .

A good set up for field use is a Spyderco doublestuff , make yourself a leather slip for it , rub a bit of buffing compound into the leather . The chances of needing to deal with serrations in an average outing are pretty slim , anyway ; a leather bootlace loaded with buffing compound will keep serrations in trim .

I'm as bad as anyone else in this regard , I own just about every sharpening gadget on the planet . At least in time of need I can default to a good or often not so good flat stone .

Chris

I'm in the same boat.  I have been using stones for years, and consider myself pretty damn skilled when it comes to sharpening.  A few years ago, I decided to treat myself and upgraded to a very nice set of Spyderco stones... and yet I continually catch myself buying sharpening gadgets/gimmicks that never actually get used.   

at least I can take some comfort knowing I'm not alone in this regard. 

[Zed]

I dont own any sharpening gadgets as these days just about have the extra money for MT's etc, my favourite is a old 50's small stone i have,it sharpens my opies up a treat, 

[Waterlander]

+1

[Waterlander]

Free hand sharpening is like meditation. 

Did you ever created a burr so thin you could blow it off the cutting edge? 

[django.cj]

Meh, I have stones and can sharpen freehand just fine.  I get better results on my Sharpmaker.  To me it's just a tool to make things easier, not a belief system,

[powernoodle]

I went from zero to hero with the Edge Pro Apex.

[Mr. Whippy]

I agree mate

Although I own a sharpmaker, there's no substitute to being able to use coffee mug bottom in emergencies IMO

A DC4 or DMT duo fold make good pocket sharpeners too

Heck, when we were kids, we used the concrete sidewalk to sharpen popsicle sticks into wooden knives...

(True story).

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yep did that this side of the pond too

[Syph007]

I'll admit to buying 2 of the popular sharpening 'systems' but i never used them lol.  I tend to glue sandpaper to boards and sharpen that way.

[Styerman]

The self adhesive , very fine 3M stuff you get from Lee Valley , works well on either a piece of plate glass , or a MDF board . Followed by a strop .

I had an Edge Pro , works OK but too time consuming , ATM I have a Jones for the Wicked Edge . But in my work bag ( where it really counts ) , I just carry a Spyderco Doublestuff ( two sided flat stone , about 6"x1/2" . I have strops sprinkled around , from here to Kingdom Come .

Chris

[Hypnos3510]

I try and learn all systems and methods of sharpening. If I only have only have one or two blades I tend to do it by hand. But if I have a a few or some with a really bad edge to i usually use some type of sharpening gadget

Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk 2

[Waterlander]

I agree mate

Although I own a sharpmaker, there's no substitute to being able to use coffee mug bottom in emergencies IMO

A DC4 or DMT duo fold make good pocket sharpeners too

Heck, when we were kids, we used the concrete sidewalk to sharpen popsicle sticks into wooden knives...

(True story).

  

And into the sandbox for a shaving edge

[jzmtl]

I can sharpen freehand but 95% of the time I still use sharpening gadgets, they are just much quicker, a belt sander to set up the initial edge and sharpmaker for subsequent sharpening.

Some people enjoy the process, but I don't, it's a chore to me and if I can have a knife that stays sharp forever I'll take it. 

[Breezy12]

Free hand sharpening is like meditation. 

Did you ever created a burr so thin you could blow it off the cutting edge? 

+1 -- I know exactly what you're talking about.  better than meditation, if you ask me. 

[Styerman]

I actually enjoy it , it's a mindless activity that keeps you mindfull . Great stress reliever . I also like the reaction of Peeps. who hand you a P.O.S. as dull as my wits , and I hand it back hair shaving sharp .

Chris

[JAfromMn]

I do all my sharpening free hand always have.

I got a Norton two sided bench stone and Spyderco MF 701 kit. Leather belt and shoe lace to strop.

I like my fully serrated blades crazy sharp.

I just re learning how to do plane edge. I'm getting a nice edge but it took a little practice.

[Gryffin]

I actually enjoy it , it's a mindless activity that keeps you mindfull . Great stress reliever .

My grandfather taught me how to sharpen by hand, on his father-in-law's hundred-year-old India stone. I was a hyper kid, he figured out that I would do it for hours, so there was always a supply of dull knives when we'd visit. 

To this day, I find it amazingly relaxing. It's precise, yet repetitive; kinda like a mantra. And cheaper than Xanax! 

I also like the reaction of Peeps. who hand you a P.O.S. as dull as my wits , and I hand it back hair shaving sharp .

Problem is, once word gets around you can do that, EVERYONE gives you their crap knives to sharpen. As much as I like sharpening, having to rescue so many cheap, pathetic, damaged blades gets old. I feel like the people who work in animal shelters: you want to help, but you can't help feeling frustrated and angry at the people who could cause so much abuse, for no reason other than ignorance and stupidity. 

[JAfromMn]

+1^
 

[Breezy12]

Problem is, once word gets around you can do that, EVERYONE gives you their crap knives to sharpen. As much as I like sharpening, having to rescue so many cheap, pathetic, damaged blades gets old. I feel like the people who work in animal shelters: you want to help, but you can't help feeling frustrated and angry at the people who could cause so much abuse, for no reason other than ignorance and stupidity. 

TRUTH!!!

[prime77]

Why do Peeps. always look for sharpening systems and gadgets ? Pocket sharpeners in particular . Get a good quality small stone , and a few lower end paring knives with good quality steel ( ie: Victorinox ) , and Smurfing learn to sharpen .

A good set up for field use is a Spyderco doublestuff , make yourself a leather slip for it , rub a bit of buffing compound into the leather . The chances of needing to deal with serrations in an average outing are pretty slim , anyway ; a leather bootlace loaded with buffing compound will keep serrations in trim .

I'm as bad as anyone else in this regard , I own just about every sharpening gadget on the planet . At least in time of need I can default to a good or often not so good flat stone .

Chris

Funny you should mention the Spyderco Doublestuff with a leather slip with compound. That is my exact pocket sharpener setup. I have had great results with it.



As for sharpening gadgets. I got rid of mine and concentrated solely on learning freehand and have gotten really good at it. The only other "sharpening system" that I have other than my stones is a sharpmaker for serrated blades.

[Styerman]

Prime , my slip is a bit different from yours , it's home made out of Latigo ( oily retan ) , takes abrasive like a dream . , I also use the untreated side for a few final passes .

The odds of having to feild sharpen a serrated are slim , as they keep some degree of residual cutting ability for a long time . Just for Smurfs and giggles , I do carry a leather bootlace loaded with abrasive . It's mostly been used to sharpen co workers's S&W P.O.S's over lunch and coffee breaks .

Chris

[Capbyrd]

I just use it till its too dull to use and then throw it away and get a new one.

[Waterlander]

Styer, have you ever tried these?
http://www.sharptools.be/index.php?item=&action=page&group_id=10000001&lang=NL
Belgium Coticule (high grade, yellow). Excellent finishing stone! 

[django.cj]

I just use it till its too dull to use and then throw it away and get a new one.

You throw away perfectly good knives??

I hope you're buying cheap junk then...

[Styerman]

Styer, have you ever tried these?
http://www.sharptools.be/index.php?item=&action=page&group_id=10000001&lang=NL
Belgium Coticule (high grade, yellow). Excellent finishing stone! 

No , but I've been tempted . A lot of guys use them on straight razors . Those prices are very good .

Most of the good Novaculite ( source of Arkansas stones ) has been mined out in North America . I've got DMT , Spyderco , and Japanese water stones ( finest being 12K grit . ) . The water stones are a PITA as they need to be lapped every now and then .

Chris

[Jmora]

I think there is plenty to learn for a beginner even when using a good sharpening system. It took some practice before I could get results on my sharpmaker, and I see this as a good starting point, maybe I'll graduate to freehand one day, or maybe I won't need to for my purposes. I do take individual rods with me to freehand touch up knives when I am on holiday or something, but the results aren't as good.

A G Russell said that he started off selling stones, and then when crock sticks came along, he had to diversify into knives because noone bought stones anymore.

[Waterlander]

Styer, have you ever tried these?
http://www.sharptools.be/index.php?item=&action=page&group_id=10000001&lang=NL
Belgium Coticule (high grade, yellow). Excellent finishing stone! 

No , but I've been tempted . A lot of guys use them on straight razors . Those prices are very good .

Most of the good Novaculite ( source of Arkansas stones ) has been mined out in North America . I've got DMT , Spyderco , and Japanese water stones ( finest being 12K grit . ) . The water stones are a PITA as they need to be lapped every now and then .

Chris

Yes I know, those old natural stones are   hard to get, and expensive.

You are right about the King stones. They wear out quicker. But still nice stones for the money.

Chris, if you decide to buy a belgian brock, I'm happy to help you out of needed.


Frank