Guest vin Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hello all, I have tried so many different ways of keeping a sharp edge on various knives but no matter what I do I cannot get them as sharp as I would like..I've tried the drag through types..and I've also got a couple of stones and a strop..But I'm useless with the stones and cannot get a straight edge and a good angle by hand,It ends up all over the place. some bits sharp,others blunt. Im not mechanically minded and dont own a vice or workbench..lol. So whats the best system for getting a consistant razor sharp edge... ? I've seen these lansky and gatco type fixed angle syatems with rods etc etc...some are on fleebay that are coppies of these types of set ups for around £20. . . anyone tried one ? I know one or two will say practice etc etc..But fekk that Lifes too short..these little bladetec type drag through sharpeners are ok for emergency fix but they make a right mess of a good quality grind on a good knife. . I have knifes I cannot use because i wont be able to get them sharp again if that makes any sense to you. My little opinel number 7 looks like a filleting knife after all the times ive tried sharpening it.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 i just use a steel. a green polishing wheel in an old electric drill held in a vice and a leather strop, if i'm out i just use the edge of the van window in the same way as you would a steel, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lapin2008 1,587 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 some very fine sandpaper on a piece of wood, works for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldTrapCollector 377 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I can put an edge on a knife but it is a bit hit and miss, I have used wet stones and modern sharpening plates with the same result as Vin I would also like to know the secret - I have time, and a vice etc but lack the know how So come on you knife makers - what's the secret? Step by step pics would help me no end OTC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,763 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Best thing I've ever seen was the 6" cotton polishing mop on a bench grinder. Matt (midnight) off here showed me in his shed. That simple setup gets ya steel hair splittingly sharp! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Best thing I've ever seen was the 6" cotton polishing mop on a bench grinder. Matt (midnight) off here showed me in his shed. That simple setup gets ya steel hair splittingly sharp! i said that earlier to be fair though i find matts knives very easy to sharpen unlike some of the other grinds others use on their blades Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tiny 7 1,694 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Stone ten strokes one way ten the other then five then fifty stokes on the steel. Tbh I very rarely use the stone the steel keeps it sharp enough You seen them Stanley knife foldable types with one of them vin you'll always have a razor sharp edge when you want it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I find the key is to keep them sharp, don't wait until they're useless to sharpen them. A steel is good for this but if they are gone too far it won't touch them until you have got a decent edge back on them with the stone. The key is to take the metal away from the point of the edge first when you're sharpening and not the other way around. Push the knife along the stone forwards with the edge facing away from you and use plenty of pressure. Use equal amounts of strokes on each side of the blade while making sure you maintain the same angle on each stroke. I'm not brilliant at it but I can get a decent and sharp edge on most knifes now. Also some knifes sharpen easier than others. Practice is key, I learnt by practicing on a stack of dull kitchen knifes that were lying in the draw in the kitchen.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,606 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I find the best way is to get a another one 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldTrapCollector 377 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Best thing I've ever seen was the 6" cotton polishing mop on a bench grinder. Matt (midnight) off here showed me in his shed. That simple setup gets ya steel hair splittingly sharp! That could be the answer BH - I will try it next time and see what happens! Thanks OTC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Oil stone and steel and as has already been said don't wait until its blunt ... I steel my knives at least once a week and if I feel one needs it I go back on the oil stone ... I have also got a butchers electric wet stone sharpener if I have a blad that needs re grinding ... vin send me your knives down I will sort them for you ..... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
weasle 1,119 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hit and miss my self,find if I use the edge of a stone I get decent results,once it's sharp try and advoid bones and give it a rub on steel every time you use it.With the steel I find if I hold it with the handle at the top the bottom pressed on a chopping board so it's vertical I can get the angle pretty good on the knife. Waving it around like you see the butchers do is ok if you can do it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
riohog 5,701 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hello all, I have tried so many different ways of keeping a sharp edge on various knives but no matter what I do I cannot get them as sharp as I would like..I've tried the drag through types..and I've also got a couple of stones and a strop..But I'm useless with the stones and cannot get a straight edge and a good angle by hand,It ends up all over the place. some bits sharp,others blunt. Im not mechanically minded and dont own a vice or workbench..lol. So whats the best system for getting a consistant razor sharp edge... ? I've seen these lansky and gatco type fixed angle syatems with rods etc etc...some are on fleebay that are coppies of these types of set ups for around £20. . . anyone tried one ? I know one or two will say practice etc etc..But fekk that Lifes too short..these little bladetec type drag through sharpeners are ok for emergency fix but they make a right mess of a good quality grind on a good knife. . I have knifes I cannot use because i wont be able to get them sharp again if that makes any sense to you. My little opinel number 7 looks like a filleting knife after all the times ive tried sharpening it.. a lot depends on the steel and the grind on the blade those cheap stainless jobbys wont hold a edge , opinals are soft steel that's why you were the blade down hell there only a few quid each you could sharpen them on a curb stone Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 With the steel I find if I hold it with the handle at the top the bottom pressed on a chopping board so it's vertical I can get the angle pretty good on the knife. Waving it around like you see the butchers do is ok if you can do it.I do the same.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,479 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Depends how bad they are usually the cleavers get a file ,knives a sand stone or i have one of the knife sharpeners you pull the blade threw Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.