Help me with knife sharpening - Page 2

Scotto · #21 11-11-2009, 08:18 AM

As mentioned, it can take a while to raise a burr with a 1k stone. Also, try using the tip of your thumbnail to feel the edge - it should catch on the burr.

Real men sharpen free hand, BTW....

NoFair · #22 11-11-2009, 09:37 AM

Colour the edge with a marker and see if your honing removes the ink on the edge. If it doesn't raise the spine until it does.

I normally strop my kitchen knives on an old razor leather/fabric strop.

tsmba · #23 11-11-2009, 10:33 AM

I've purchased honing guides, Chef's Choice sharpeners, and other devices that supposedly "make sharpening easier". All sit on the shelf gathering dust. I have yet to find anything that can be achieved with these devices that cannot be done better with the proper stones. Taking the time to learn to execute a task correctly pays off!

mretzloff · #24 11-11-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotto

Real men sharpen free hand, BTW....

What is "free hand"?

NoFair · #25 11-12-2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mretzloff

What is "free hand"?

Sharpening without a clamp/guide or other system. Just hands, stone and knife in other words. Once you have done it a while it it fast and natural and you get the angles right.

Chromium oxide loaded strops also work great on kitchen knives. Fast and easy to maintain a very high level of sharpness. A couple of mine are very close to "shave ready" standard for a straight razor

Dharion · #26 11-12-2009, 03:50 AM

I'm a total noob at honing pocket knives

Though I've just sharpened my two kitchen knives on a Naniwa 1k/3k. Once you've got the correct angle you're all set.

ouch · #27 11-12-2009, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mretzloff

What is "free hand"?

While shaving, real men will simultaneously sharpen their knives, using their "free hand".

Protocol · #28 11-16-2009, 02:03 PM

I have used all manner of jigs, mechanical sharpeners, sticks, stones, and what not. I was initially pretty skeptical about the Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, but am now a true believer. That is one hell of a system.

One tip I'd also recommend is to look down the edge of your blade. You will not be able to feel the bur, necessarily, but you will almost certainly be able to see the glint of the bur reflected back at you from an overhead light.