Sharpening for SAK beginner?

[caninesapien]

Hi all

I am very new to the world of SAK and wanted to ask for opinions on sharpeners for the beginner. Do you think the Vic dual sharpener would be ok to start with, or is it worth spending a little more to get something more substantial? I like the look of the Vic sharpener but do you think a beginner could get to grips with it?

Thanks!

[magentus]

Hi all

I am very new to the world of SAK and wanted to ask for opinions on sharpeners for the beginner. Do you think the Vic dual sharpener would be ok to start with, or is it worth spending a little more to get something more substantial? I like the look of the Vic sharpener but do you think a beginner could get to grips with it?

Thanks!

If you mean the pen type Vic sharpener, I have heard good things about it. It is reasonably priced and best of all, designed specifically for sharpening SAK's!  SAK steel is soft enough to aid easier sharpening, so I'd recommend practising on the dual sharpener first and going from there.

 

[Fortytwo]

Hi all

I am very new to the world of SAK and wanted to ask for opinions on sharpeners for the beginner. Do you think the Vic dual sharpener would be ok to start with, or is it worth spending a little more to get something more substantial? I like the look of the Vic sharpener but do you think a beginner could get to grips with it?

Thanks!

Rod style sharpeners require a bit of skill (something I feel I'm losing, I believe I was better at it at age 8 than now...) and will require very much work if there are any deeper marks on the edge. Nothing that difficult and a good skill to possess since they are so slim and easy to bring with you. For a reasonably cheap solution that is more or less idiotproof I use the 4 rod version Lansky Turnbox.

[MacGyver]

Hi all

I am very new to the world of SAK and wanted to ask for opinions on sharpeners for the beginner. Do you think the Vic dual sharpener would be ok to start with, or is it worth spending a little more to get something more substantial? I like the look of the Vic sharpener but do you think a beginner could get to grips with it?

Thanks!

Hi, i highly recommend Vic's dual sharpener pen, for me its a life saver 
I totally suck at sharpening any knife with a stone, even worse if it's a sak so the V sharpener is a must fir me, gets the job done. You only need not to let the blade get too dull between sharpening's.

[caninesapien]

Thanks for the replies all. I think I'll start with the Vic pen sharpener. I think if I'm ok with that I'll try the Lanksy one.

MacGyver, do you just use the V sharpener for SAKs?

[sir_mike]

I mainly use a Lansky 4 rod turn box or the Spyderco Sharpmaker for sak's.  Very simple to use.

[lister]

I broke the sharpening rod on mine ages ago. I made a sawn-off version for edc (you can find that somewhere in my older posts). So when it broke I modified the remaining V-sharpener in to a keychain thingie and edc it all the time (I think there is a picture of it somewhere in my EDC thread). It works great to touch up the sak edge on the fly.

[MacGyver]

MacGyver, do you just use the V sharpener for SAKs?

Yep, pretty much so. But I try not to let the blade get too dull, just touch up the edge regularly. If its too dull or has dents I'll use the rod very carefully first, and finish up with the V. It will cut more than well enough for my use

I broke the sharpening rod on mine ages ago. I made a sawn-off version for edc (you can find that somewhere in my older posts). So when it broke I modified the remaining V-sharpener in to a key and edc it on me all the time (I think there is a picture of it somewhere in my EDC thread). It works great to touch up the sak edge on the fly.

Great, I did the exact same thing with one of my Vic sharpeners, but in my case the rod didn't broke off, I pulled off on purpose to make a small edc V sharpener
Gave the rod on that one to my wife to sharpen kitchen knives with

[caninesapien]

MacGyver, do you just use the V sharpener for SAKs?

Yep, pretty much so. But I try not to let the blade get too dull, just touch up the edge regularly. If its too dull or has dents I'll use the rod very carefully first, and finish up with the V. It will cut more than well enough for my use

Thanks. Yeah I'm planning to start sharpening regularly, rather than waiting for the blade to get too dull! Cheers.

[Ron Who]

A short video showing the various Victorinox sharpening tools:

https://youtu.be/_MvCj_ttXE0

[Dean51]

Hi all

I am very new to the world of SAK and wanted to ask for opinions on sharpeners for the beginner. Do you think the Vic dual sharpener would be ok to start with, or is it worth spending a little more to get something more substantial? I like the look of the Vic sharpener but do you think a beginner could get to grips with it?

Thanks!

For a reasonably cheap solution that is more or less idiotproof I use the 4 rod version Lansky Turnbox.

Another vote for the 4 rod Lansky Turn Box. For a beginner that's as easy as it gets, just hold the blade vertical and draw down.

[sergemaster]

Amici,
 I have found when it comes to the SAK, that a ceramic rod along with a leather strop is all that you really need to keep a razor like edge that with stay, and not roll with the first friction encountering cut.

If you're going to use a system, I would lean towards the Spyderco Sharpmaker which comes with two ceramic rod types, coarse and medium. There are others you can purchase secondary, but these alone seem to do a great job removing any burrs as well as honing and polishing the blades edge.

For me, I use an Arkansas ceramic rod and sharpen free style most days when things are slow on the job. Once you do this long enough, you develop a "feel" on what's the right angle when you drag the blade across the rod. 

Just remember, a SAK is a cutting tool, not a saw!   

Cheers,
Serge

[Aloha]

Despite what I write on other thread  keep it simple.  SAK steel is pretty easy to get razor sharp.  I also have the turn box which is good.  I have the Spyderco as well and its also good.  I have Arkansas stone ( fine ) and other odds and ends. 

What I have learned for better of worse is a SAK edge is best honed before any thing more is needed.  You can also strop the edge before any actual sharpening is needed.  Most SAKs IMO used for everyday stuff only really need to be honed.  That is the very edge of the knife blade need to be realigned.  A little experimenting and you'll see its pretty easy.