Economical, effective sharpening system for large camp knives (7in - 9in blades)?

[Impala_Guy]

Looking for something that won't break the bank. Love the simplicity and relative foolproofness of the basic Lansky set for pocket knives, but need something for bigger knives. Even in large knives I tend to favor thinner blades with long grinds that allow a 20 degree or less edge angle.

Would like something with variable grits for reprofiling damaged edges, and prefer not to use systems like V sharpeners that are dependent on how straight you hold the blade and can scratch the blade if you slip. Don't want to buy something that looks like a robot arm and costs $600.

I have three large (10in long, 2.5in wide) Japanese waterstones so if there are effective angle guides available that any of you have experience with I'd be open to hearing about it.

 

[Tuhlmann]

I have a Wicked Edge that I like a lot. I've done 8" kitchen knives on it no problem. It's not cheap, but it is pretty foolproof, very fast & efficient, and easy to use. If you like the Lansky system, it's pretty easy to make a larger version yourself. Just search for "knife file jig" and you'll get something like this:

These jigs are generally meant for rough filing in bevels for makers that don't have the proper equipment or skills to grind in bevels, but substitute the file for a hard-backer with pressure sensitive abrasives in a variety of grits up to and including a ridgid backed strop w/rouge and you have a custom large scale Lansky on steroids for a few bucks and a few hours of your time. Completely adjustable and repeatable.

 

[Impala_Guy]

This is something I might try with my stones. Experiment on crappy kitchen knives first.

Angle Guide Set for Sharpening Stones (sharpeningsupplies.com)

 

[squid8286]

I have a Wicked Edge that I like a lot. I've done 8" kitchen knives on it no problem. It's not cheap, but it is pretty foolproof, very fast & efficient, and easy to use. If you like the Lansky system, it's pretty easy to make a larger version yourself. Just search for "knife file jig" and you'll get something like this:

These jigs are generally meant for rough filing in bevels for makers that don't have the proper equipment or skills to grind in bevels, but substitute the file for a hard-backer with pressure sensitive abrasives in a variety of grits up to and including a ridgid backed strop w/rouge and you have a custom large scale Lansky on steroids for a few bucks and a few hours of your time. Completely adjustable and repeatable.

I am thinking about making something along this line for simply sharpening large knives. I am no good at "free handing" with a stone. I just bought an Ontario SP10 Marine Raider Bowie. It is heavy at about a pound, and the spine is around 1/4". I don't have anything big enough to hold it, and even if the clamp that comes with the typical Lansky would grip the spine, it is probably too heavy. Do you have any other suggestions. I looked at a "Wicked Edge" sharpener, and though it looks like it would work great, it is WAY out of my price range.

 

[nopec]

I got a 1”x30” belt sander. You can get belts on Amazon for cheap. Took a few practice runs with cheap kitchen knives to learn. Now I can mirror edge by hand with a leather belt and 3000 grit compound or put a shaving edge on an axe or machete. It was really simple and far cheaper than the work sharp mini belt sanders.