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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: imskippy on April 11, 2008, 12:42:00 PM

Title: Sharpening question?
Post by: imskippy on April 11, 2008, 12:42:00 PM
How are you all sharpening? I have been doing it by hand but think the pros are using belts is this true? Just curious, if so what type/grit belts are you using? That is if you don't mind sharing your trade secrets. Thanks Skippy
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: skullworks on April 11, 2008, 01:04:00 PM
Try this.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLjFjT4vYsM&NR=1

I myself use a Lansky System.
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: imskippy on April 11, 2008, 06:38:00 PM
I've seen that video before very helpful. There are some other good ones one there aswell.
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: Lin Rhea on April 11, 2008, 08:15:00 PM
Skippy,
         I use belts in the building process and for the initial shaping of the edge geometry. This deffinitely can get the blade sharp, but I always finish and maintain my edges with stones and stropping.
    I almost never allow my blades to get so bad that I have to go back to the belts to get them sharp.
       This is just the way I do it.   Lin
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: OconeeDan on April 11, 2008, 08:57:00 PM
Lin, you said it well.  
I have one of those angle guide sharpening systems (like lansky), but never really liked it, and found myself going back to putting the initial edge on with belts and using a regular hard stone for the final edge.
The angle quide sharpeners do work well, especially for those who are not practiced with a stone.
Dan
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: imskippy on April 11, 2008, 09:11:00 PM
Thank you guys. I respect your input. It's an honor learning from so many well respected builders. Skippy
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: el oso on April 12, 2008, 01:46:00 AM
My dad showed me how to sharpen  when I was about six and I have been learning ever since. For a final sharpining I hand sharpen  on stones ,but diferent knives call for diferant methods. For some knives I will do a polished edge with a hard Arkansas stone and oil. this gives the sharpest edge, but is not the most deurable and has to be maintained constantly. For a working edge I am sold on the DMT " diomend stones" they leave a microscopic saw tooth edge that cuts like crazy, and lasts a while between sharpinings. For knives with a deep belly and a curved edge I use diamond or ceramic sticks, the kind that stand uprite in a V shape. for thin blade kitchen knives  or felet knives I use a steal. To me , knife sharpining is not black and white. You have to match the style of sharpining to the blade and the type of worke to be done.
Title: Re: Sharpening question?
Post by: robtattoo on April 12, 2008, 05:01:00 AM
Quote
Lin Rhea:
Skippy,
         I use belts in the building process and for the initial shaping of the edge geometry. This deffinitely can get the blade sharp, but I always finish and maintain my edges with stones and stropping.
    I almost never allow my blades to get so bad that I have to go back to the belts to get them sharp.
       This is just the way I do it.   Lin
[QUOTE Oconeedan]:Lin, you said it well.
I have one of those angle guide sharpening systems (like lansky), but never really liked it, and found myself going back to putting the initial edge on with belts and using a regular hard stone for the final edge
[/QUOTE]

Yep, me too. Belt, stone, hone, strop. I try to keep my working blades in 'stroppable' condition, or 'honeable' at worst. I only ever go back to using stones, on my users, if I've chipped or deformed the edge & need to reprofile the bevel.