Knife Sharpeners

[JohnTex 1953]

What would be recommended for an easy to use knife sharpener? You see lots of sharpeners advertised on TV. Is there a middle of the road sharpener anyone would recommend. I realize that much has to do with quality of the metal the knife is made of is, to hold the edge. Thanks
JT

[CWizard]

I had a lansky but replaced it with a crock stick sharpener from Buck that isn't made any more.

[Deltaten]

Double sided, folding-back-cover diamond hone. Cain't recall the name. DMT ??? Best $20 I've ever spent on a "stone".
Stix, rods, rollers and such may be more consistant; but I'm 'old school' and have sharpened a few tools in my time. Gimma a good stone, a hone and a strop and I'll git 'er done...oh! and some *real* steel helps

[feersum dreadnaught]

Spyderco sharpmaker. and buy a set of their extra fine stones.

easiest way to get shaving sharp there is

[NEWFNL1A1]

Originally Posted by Deltaten

Double sided, folding-back-cover diamond hone. Cain't recall the name. DMT ??? Best $20 I've ever spent on a "stone".

+1 these are great and I also use pocket diamond hones..the little retractable rod ones.

[acolonelofcorn]

Originally Posted by feersum dreadnaught

Spyderco sharpmaker. and buy a set of their extra fine stones.

easiest way to get shaving sharp there is

This.

For ease of use, and touch ups nothing beats it. But for reprofiling, or fixing a horribly dull edge you will have to wrap coarser grit wet dry sandpaper around the stones, or use a coarser benchstone unless you want to spend hours with the relatively fine spyderco stones.

[JasonB]

Mousepad backer for various grits of sandpaper works well followed by a leather strop.

[Deltaten]

Close Jason.. A sheet of window glass and wet'n'dry paper. STick th epaper to the glass with light oil and use more oil ta work the edge.

THEN the strop. Field expedient? USe a sheet of cardboard.

[JasonB]

Originally Posted by Deltaten

Close Jason.. A sheet of window glass and wet'n'dry paper. STick th epaper to the glass with light oil and use more oil ta work the edge.

THEN the strop. Field expedient? USe a sheet of cardboard.

Not just close.

http://zknives.com/knives/articles/s...mousepad.shtml

[Deltaten]

'scuse the pun; but diff'rent strokes

The mousepad will cushion and return a convex edge, just as the blogger sez. ALl fine and well for general use by neophytes or on camp axes; but a real edge is not convex and optimally, would be the intersection of two straight, flat planes. A convex edge will not provide that elusive infinite point of intersection.
Most bladesmiths and manufacturers have their own pet 1st an 2nd plane angles. Try ta put a straight edge on a curve and determine angle. The profile will look exactly the same as a dull blade

Do as you wish. Sharpen as you like. Just don;t ask me ta shave with one o'yer blades

[acolonelofcorn]

Originally Posted by Deltaten

The mousepad will cushion and return a convex edge, just as the blogger sez. ALl fine and well for general use by neophytes or on camp axes; but a real edge is not convex and blah blah blah

You don't know much about "real" edges, or sharpening.

[JasonB]

Originally Posted by acolonelofcorn

You don't know much about "real" edges, or sharpening.

The mousepad deal does produce a rather sharp edge doesn't it?

[Deltaten]

Other than a snarky comment there Colonel,, WTF *do * you know?
Either contribute an opinion/technique on sharpening or step away from the keyboard

Like I said... different strokes

Some prefer a steeper angle; for more support. Some require a shallower pitch for certain uses. Less filling...more taste kinda argument

[JasonB]

http://edcforums.com/threads/convex-...k-to-me.77811/

[Deltaten]

Interesting link Jason. Thanks You see the "less filling/tastes great" analogy follows there too!

[JasonB]

Originally Posted by Deltaten

Interesting link Jason. Thanks You see the "less filling/tastes great" analogy follows there too!

Pretty cool how that lacking convex blade can fuzzstick a hair.

[Deltaten]

quite surprising, that. Particularly because of the fine nature of the target.I wonder how to quantify the degree of sharpness?? Even some on that linked site state the obvious, as I did, that some materials and tasks require/benefit from differing types of edges.
Perhaps identical samples of green wood, hard and soft; dry wood, hard and soft; various ropes and lines; cardboard and plastics??? Then set up a standard of pressure and angle of attack??
Document photographically and present results for review?

Lotta work ta align subjective opinions

[JasonB]

Originally Posted by Deltaten

Even some on that linked site state the obvious, as I did, that some materials and tasks require/benefit from differing types of edges.

Looked like several were opining how the convex edge wasn't good for fine work then someone posted pictures showing that wasn't the case.

[Deltaten]

THat's what I found so unusual. Guess I;ll hafta do more research It goes against the grain, pun not intended, for tooling as I understand it...at least as far as wood working and previous experience with knife edges.

[acolonelofcorn]

Originally Posted by Deltaten

Other than a snarky comment there Colonel,, WTF *do * you know?

Apparently more than you, or you would not have made that erronious statement about convex edges.

[randy762ak]

I have acquired several of the " New age ' Knife sharpening devices- I have had little luck Improving On my old timey ways, a sharpening stone Thats over 60 years old,and an Old Barber Hone, A few strokes on the stone a few on the hone and I test it by shaving the hair on my arm-- If it will dry shave --Its sharp enough for general use,,
I seem to have a fetish for sharpening stones -I must have 35-40 of them in all sizes grits and shapes..50 cents to a couple bucks at yard and estate sales..

2 Skills Im happy My Dad Taught Me- To Sharpen a knife and to sharpen a drill bit On a grinding wheel as good as new !

[Deltaten]

I took some time to review a myriad of "stick" sharpener vids. Seems that all ovvum are a method to maintain the blade to stone angle. Nice, straight, consistent strokes make for a nice, straight and consistent edge.

I'm in the same school as Randy. A good straight stone (or abrasive surface of some sort) and liquid ta float off the waste works best for me A well-developed sense of feel for the sweet spot on the edge is a big help. Guess it comes from experience? I've hand-sharpened everything from 15" planer blades ta straight razors with good results.

The one system not mentioned was the adjustable angle "roller" units. Other than that they travel in their own debris problem; they seem ta work as well as stix.

Any other "system" known by anyone?