I suck at sharpening knives!!

MattTheGunslinger · Jul 15, 2015

I give up! I just can't do it. I have used stones, diamond sharpeners, ceramic, I just can't get it down. Granted, none of these have those fancy gizmos that set the angle for me. What or who do you guys recommend for hair popping sharp blades? I have a spyderco tenacious, kabar BK2, Buck 119, 112, and 110 that I can't get up to par. All of those knives came to me razor sharp and I want that back! Also looking into stropping. I hear this is a wonderful way to keep blades fine in between resharpening. Educate me, please!

Boxtop · Jul 15, 2015

Matt said:
I give up! I just can't do it. I have used stones, diamond sharpeners, ceramic, I just can't get it down. Granted, none of these have those fancy gizmos that set the angle for me. What or who do you guys recommend for hair popping sharp blades? I have a spyderco tenacious, kabar BK2, Buck 119, 112, and 110 that I can't get up to par. All of those knives came to me razor sharp and I want that back! Also looking into stropping. I hear this is a wonderful way to keep blades fine in between resharpening. Educate me, please!

I have this same problem. I can never get a knife back to that same razor edge that it had when it was new.

AntiGun · Jul 15, 2015

This is one of hundreds of videos that go over this trick. It helps you find the angle but you still need to know what the correct angle is for your particular blade.

outrider58 · Jul 15, 2015

Just act like you're trying to shave a thin layer off that hone and switch sides every pass. Finish off on a crock stick. Use the sticks for maintanence also. "Shop Sharp" are nice too and require some practice as well.

campns · Jul 15, 2015

I personally use a Lansky sharpener for all of my stuff, and with the diamond kit you can get some pretty amazing results, just a hint buy the stand.

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Diamon...=1436972098&sr=8-4&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Super-...=1436972098&sr=8-8&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LM010-...1436972098&sr=8-10&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

and I have been thinking of buying one of these as well for an all around tool sharpener as well, getting a good edge on my axes using a single bastard file works but sometimes I'm a bit impatient.

http://www.amazon.com/Work-Sharp-WS...=1436972169&sr=8-12&keywords=knife+sharpeners

Uncle Duke · Jul 15, 2015

I'm not much of a knife guy either, and I suck at sharpening freehand.

I found out over the years that I DO need one of those fancy qizmos that control the edge angle while sharpening. Otherwise I'm too inconsistent. For me, Lansky works. There may be better ways but someone better versed will need to come along. I'm not the guy to tell you what they might be. All I know is that Lansky was a god send to me.

Gambler · Jul 15, 2015

I tried the Spyderco ones in the past, and i just can't be consistent enough with my passes to get them sharp. I now use a cheap knock off sharpener, that holds the blade similarly to the Lansky system, and it works really well. It doesn't work quite as well for really long blades like kitchen knives, but you CAN do them, you just have to reposition them more. For pocket knives it is fantastic.

smokey · Jul 15, 2015

http://www.mdshooters.com/showpost.php?p=1839071&postcount=12

Boondock Saint · Jul 15, 2015

I can't sharpen a knife for shit unless I'm using a Lansky kit. Makes it fairly idiot proof and I can keep a solid edge on my knife.

smokey · Jul 15, 2015

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/750008-Stropping-angle-plus-pressure
good stropping visuals. I personally just screwed a thick leather belt down to my work bench(one screw through belt adjustment holes and one at the buckle..nothing actually through the belt), and toss some mothers mag wheel polish on it. The bench keeps it flat and allows me to use two hands on the knife to keep the angle and stroke consistent. It's important not to roll the edge through the strop with a flick at the end...just lift it straight up.

BenL · Jul 15, 2015

I was once awful at sharpening knives, too; tried Lansky kits, etc... Then I picked up a Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition and never looked back. Worth its weight in gold. Can make a razor blade out of a crowbar.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ci_sku=41587&gclid=CPS9vNC83cYCFc4WHwodvV0Akg

It comes will all of the belts and a DVD, too.

LimaVictor · Jul 15, 2015

Get thee to a Harbor Freight for one of those table top belt sanders!
Belt Sander Method

Bertfish · Jul 15, 2015

You mean running a grinder over the edge of the blade isn't the right way :innocent0

alucard0822 · Jul 15, 2015

Sharpening is all about consistency, and few people have the ability to hold a perfect angle, and still sharpen in a reasonable amount of time. Even those that are good at sharpening on a stone just basically copy the angle their blade came with, weither or not it is ideal, for that knife or even centered. Use a jig system, Edge pro or Wicked edge are awesome, by far the most versatility and best performance, Lansky or the knockoffs can work well too. A worksharp jig or angle guide for a belt sander are much faster, and can produce great results, but can destroy a blade in seconds if you don't follow directions perfectly. There are even some simple fixed angle jig devices like the warthog or Sharpmaker that are simple, and easy to use for a limited purpose. Don't worry if you can't sharpen freehand on a stone, the vast majority can't, and most that claim they can will get much better and faster results with a better method.

kstone803 · Jul 15, 2015

Spyderco Sharpmaker. Angles are preset when you put the rods in. Can't get any easier and makes a fairly decent edge. I also like my worksharp but mainly for kitchen knives. Just don't use the carbide pull thru ones. They strip metal and shouldn't be used unless it's all you have and NEED a sharper knife right now.

Gambler · Jul 15, 2015

kstone803 said:
Spyderco Sharpmaker. Angles are preset when you put the rods in. Can't get any easier and makes a fairly decent edge. I also like my worksharp but mainly for kitchen knives. Just don't use the carbide pull thru ones. They strip metal and shouldn't be used unless it's all you have and NEED a sharper knife right now.

You still have to hold the knife consistently or it won't work well. I apparently can't do that.

DanGuy48 · Jul 15, 2015

For years I have used Sharpmaker from Spyderco (http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Tri-Angle-Sharpmaker/dp/B004HIZKHE) and regular fine crock sticks for touch up. I can shave arm hair with my knives or hold a single sheet of news print dangling from my hand and shave slivers off the side of the page. The main thing is don't let the edge go so dull in the first place. Crock sticks are great for maintaining a keen edge, but if the edge is really dull, you'll be sitting there working that blade for a LONG time before you get an edge on it.

sgt23preston · Jul 15, 2015

campns said:
I personally use a Lansky sharpener for all of my stuff, and with the diamond kit you can get some pretty amazing results, just a hint buy the stand.

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Diamon...=1436972098&sr=8-4&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Super-...=1436972098&sr=8-8&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LM010-...1436972098&sr=8-10&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

and I have been thinking of buying one of these as well for an all around tool sharpener as well, getting a good edge on my axes using a single bastard file works but sometimes I'm a bit impatient.

http://www.amazon.com/Work-Sharp-WS...=1436972169&sr=8-12&keywords=knife+sharpeners

Me tooo...Lansky makes the best & simplest system...

Boats · Jul 15, 2015

I use the WickedEdge sharpening system. Caveat: It is a little spendy. But you get a BETTER than factory edge, especially when you go all the way to 1000 grit stones. The end result is truly a mirror finished razor edge.

If you would like to try mine out fire me a PM. Im in HoCo.

www.wickededgeusa.com

I have used the Spyderco Sharpmaker and Lansky systems in the past. Wicked Edge beats the hell out of them.

Bafflingbs · Jul 15, 2015

Matt said:
I give up! I just can't do it. I have used stones, diamond sharpeners, ceramic, I just can't get it down. Granted, none of these have those fancy gizmos that set the angle for me. What or who do you guys recommend for hair popping sharp blades? I have a spyderco tenacious, kabar BK2, Buck 119, 112, and 110 that I can't get up to par. All of those knives came to me razor sharp and I want that back! Also looking into stropping. I hear this is a wonderful way to keep blades fine in between resharpening. Educate me, please!

Boxtop said:
I have this same problem. I can never get a knife back to that same razor edge that it had when it was new.

campns said:
I personally use a Lansky sharpener for all of my stuff, and with the diamond kit you can get some pretty amazing results, just a hint buy the stand.

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Diamon...=1436972098&sr=8-4&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Super-...=1436972098&sr=8-8&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LM010-...1436972098&sr=8-10&keywords=lansky+sharpeners

and I have been thinking of buying one of these as well for an all around tool sharpener as well, getting a good edge on my axes using a single bastard file works but sometimes I'm a bit impatient.

http://www.amazon.com/Work-Sharp-WS...=1436972169&sr=8-12&keywords=knife+sharpeners

Boondock Saint said:
I can't sharpen a knife for shit unless I'm using a Lansky kit. Makes it fairly idiot proof and I can keep a solid edge on my knife.

I started a thread about the Lansky's system. I had never sharpened a knife before this attempt. I'm not perfect, but, I did get my knife shaving sharp, after re profiling the angle of the blade. Also included, is a good video.
http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=174931

I suck at sharpening knives!!

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