Page 3 of 9 FirstFirst 12345 ... LastLast
Results 31 to 45 of 126

Thread: A 'How to' guide to sharpening a knife the traditional way.

  1. #31
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    deal NR Dover
    Posts
    321
    Quote Originally Posted by snock View Post
    Diamond stones are very harsh on the blade steel. If you want to preserve your blade for maximum life, whilst keeping it at it's sharpest, then I really would use something more traditional.

    Diamond stones are fine for plane irons and such, as they don't lose their flatness due to wear.

    thought id have a quick say on this subject
    i have been a butcher for more years than i dare say (about 15/20) !!! we still only use the traditional steel if this is used regulary it will keep a keen edge on any knife i only grind my knives once a year (with an oil stone) i can keep a boneing (skining knife ) for 3 to 4 years to give a clue that one knife would bone out /cut 2whole cows/40-50lambs/8-10pigs a week

  2. #32
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Pueblo
    Posts
    7

    Hollow edge

    When majoring in Industrial Arts we were taught to sharpen tools on a wet wheel to produce a hollow edge. Once the hollow edge is produced you use a series of progressively fine wet (black) sand paper starting with about 500 and ending with 1000. These papers are mounted on a piece of glass to for a perfectly flat surface. The edge is conditioned by bringing the edge of the blade into the paper, not away. At the 1000 grit mark, if all goes well, the burr edge will begin to fall off (wear through). At this point head to your leather strop conditioned with fine rubbing compound. The burr will then be abraded through. A few more strokes and you will have a fabulous edge. You can buy a cheap wet wheel grinder unit at Harbor Freight. This technique is the same for lathe tools, knives, chisels, axes, .....Although I find a single stroke (fine) file out in the field with an axe is an excellent way to sharpen an axe, lawnmower blades or yard tools. Pull the file across the face rather than taking full stokes at a 90 degree angle. Done this way a file can produce a raiser sharp edge on tool steel.

  3. #33
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    london
    Posts
    2

    Cliff

    thanks you for info on how to sharpen the knifes
    going to get a stone soon

  4. #34
    Hellequin's Avatar
    Hellequin is offline I used to be indecisive.....
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Driffield
    Posts
    4,766
    Cheers Pete, a brilliant guide this. Not only for the technique but also for the pointers towards the right kit too.

    I got a couple of Japanese water stones for my birthday this year and I've now had a bit of practice with them, using my Helle Wind. The knife gets some good use in the field but a short session with the waterstones has it scary sharp again; good enough that it will take the hairs off my arm!

    ATB
    Paul
    Last edited by Hellequin; 08-05-2009 at 11:28 AM.
    Wyrd bið ful aræd

  5. #35
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Eastbourne, Sussex
    Posts
    343
    Thanks Pete, i have been struggling for years to get a decent edge, i tried your way and it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Kev

  6. #36
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Aylesbury
    Posts
    60,301
    Glad it helped, Clangy, old thing.
    Join the Free Speech Union
    ''All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to glaze over and resume scrolling''.

  7. #37
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    clive, iowa, usa
    Posts
    12

    Disc sharpeners

    I use an Ecko kitchen sharpener for most of my sharpening on knives, arrowheads and even machetes and axes.

    It consists of 8 interlocking discs of tool steel. Maybe not the best way, but the fastest and easiest. Used it for 40 yrs and bought a second at a yard sale. I cut the handle off the first one. The new one retains the handle for axes, machetes, entrenching tools and other large blades.

    I use the old fashioned if things get really dull.

    If you have a steel table, like in the restaurant biz or in a machine or wood shop, you can use it like stone as long as the table is not knicked.

    Brian
    Des Moines

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Thetford
    Posts
    258
    ive made a few knives in the past based on the woodlore blade, and i hand sharpen on 4 grades of diamond stone then use a leather strop and paste to a razor edge, angled approx to 30 degrees

    pics are of an olive wood knife and firesteel i did for a mate

  9. #39
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Aylesbury
    Posts
    60,301
    Very nice!!
    Join the Free Speech Union
    ''All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to glaze over and resume scrolling''.

  10. #40
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Maidstone
    Posts
    28
    Cheers

  11. #41
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Frome
    Posts
    436
    Gentlemen, a question. When using an old belt for stropping, is it best to use the burnished front of the belt or the sueded back of the belt? I've always assumed the back, but stand to be corrected.

    Si
    Brocock Atomic .177

  12. #42
    chris u'5 is offline I'm a dumbass, it's official!!
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Dundee
    Posts
    1,641
    Great guide

    Thank you very much Sir, I'm gonna give it a try as I've always wondered what the correct method was.

    You learn something new everyday on the BBS

  13. #43
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Aylesbury
    Posts
    60,301
    Quote Originally Posted by skinhead View Post
    Gentlemen, a question. When using an old belt for stropping, is it best to use the burnished front of the belt or the sueded back of the belt? I've always assumed the back, but stand to be corrected.

    Si
    I'm sure it wouldn't make any difference, Si, but I always go for the suede side, as its surface 'picks up' if I have a burr on the steel.

    As this burr gets removed, the surface of the suede no longer gets picked up. In effect, the leather tells you about the edge of the knife.

    Pete.
    Join the Free Speech Union
    ''All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to glaze over and resume scrolling''.

  14. #44
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Cannock
    Posts
    971
    Very useful , cheers

  15. #45
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    leek
    Posts
    5
    very interesting and informative thread cheers.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •