Knife Sharpening Talk

[sns2]

It was suggested by a member that a thread on knife sharpening would be useful. I agree. One of the reasons I have never spent any money on knives is because I have done such a pizz poor job of sharpening. I mean, I am bad at using a stone. Horribly bad. Ironic, as I teach cooking for a living. Truth be told, most schools send their decent knives out at the end of the year for sharpening or use an electric. For the last dozen years I have used a Worksharp belt jobbie. It can give you a pretty darned decent edge when you get the hang of it, but I would not use it on a knife I paid good coin for as it’s gonna leave its footprints if you know what I mean. Last year, I got a Chef’s Choice electric that gets kitchen knives even sharper than the Worksharp does for me, but it too leaves footprints you’d never want on a quality knife.

So, as I wait for my first custom to arrive, I’ve been figuring out what I’m gonna sharpen it with. Leaning towards DMT Diamond Stones and DMT Knife Guide (see in link), as that is what Crotts himself recommends.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop...s?item=70M1101

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop...s?item=70M0420

I’d love to hear what works for you guys who are sharpening modern steels.

Thanks in advance for your feedback, as this is how one learns, and like the hunting knife thread, has the potential to be very informative for many people.

PS: Even if you suck at sharpening like me, but also want to learn how to improve, chime in and say so, that way guys who know their stuff may take the time to share the methods that work for them.

[Lost Arrow]

Great post and I agree, I am like you when it comes to sharpening. During hunting, if I am dressing a deer, I just use the gizmo with the carbon V-shape to give me a better edge but that's it. And I don't own a custom knife either. I would appreciate learning how to put a proper edge on a knife.

[elkhunter11]

I use a Gatco diamond kit, it allows me to sharpen blades shaving sharp, with very little effort. I never need to sharpen blades in the field.

[DirtShooter]

I bought a DMT fine diamond stone, started practicing on cheap knives to get a feel for it and then used it on my nice butchers knives like making rouladen and I seem to have done not bad at all

[obsessed1]

I use water stones or diamond plates and free hand but i also have the lansky w stones and the dmt w guide which i use often for setting perfect edge geometry. I have a few strops as well. I enjoy learning new techniques so i have and use multiple. I never use a belt style on anything other than junk yard tools and scissors.
Over the years though as i have been getting better and harder steels diamond have been my go too.

[pikergolf]

I am super impressed with this. bought one for each of my boys as they don't know how to sharpen. This is fool proof and has diamond stones. Cabelas has had them on for 60 bucks numerous times.

https://www.worksharptools.com/shop/...ife-sharpener/

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I am super impressed with this. bought one for each of my boys as they don't know how to sharpen. This is fool proof and has diamond stones. Cabelas has had them on for 60 bucks numerous times.

https://www.worksharptools.com/shop/...ife-sharpener/

I think for the money this is the winner.

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I am super impressed with this. bought one for each of my boys as they don't know how to sharpen. This is fool proof and has diamond stones. Cabelas has had them on for 60 bucks numerous times.

https://www.worksharptools.com/shop/...ife-sharpener/

X4 or whatever it is. I have one and it is simple to use. It would last most hunters a lifetime.

Belts can over heat blades and ruin tips if you are not careful.

[Phil McCracken]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I am super impressed with this. bought one for each of my boys as they don't know how to sharpen. This is fool proof and has diamond stones. Cabelas has had them on for 60 bucks numerous times.

https://www.worksharptools.com/shop/...ife-sharpener/

I have used the Lansky system for years, and still do.

However, I bought this Worksharp last year and love it! I strop my blades on the last step.

Trick to keep your knife blade sharp "longer", avoid cutting hair from the outside. Dirt, mud, etc will do a number on your edge...

[Lost Arrow]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I use a Gatco diamond kit, it allows me to sharpen blades shaving sharp, with very little effort. I never need to sharpen blades in the field.

To not have to sharpen a knife in the field, are your knife blades high quality steel or does the Gatco kit just do that good of a job?

[stc77]

I also often struggle with knife shrpening. I have tried the Worksharp belt system.. It does a half decent job to get an edge. But i wouldnt ever shave with that edge. Honestly, the Lansky Croc Sticks have been my go to. You can a pretty good edge, even to the point where it will shave some hair off the arm. I use them in the field and at home for the cheaper kitchen knives. Nice little box stores the rods, easy to pack in the hunting gear. I would definitely recommend.

Now i do have a question. Smiths vs Lansky. Anybody ever compared the two? I know both have the electric belt style sharpeners, as well as the classic pull through styles etc.

[Desert Eagle]

I use the lansky system and have honestly not had to touch up blades in the field for more than 10 years. This includes a trip where we took 2 bison.

Spend some time learning the process and it is quite therapeutic to do the sharpening. The only thing I had troubles with is on a flimsy blade I have nicked my finger the way I hold the stones. I have learnt to slow down and not be distracted and it’s all better now.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Lost Arrow

To not have to sharpen a knife in the field, are your knife blades high quality steel or does the Gatco kit just do that good of a job?

Good steel, cpm 154, 154cm and ats-34, all hold their edge well enough to skin/dress an elk or a moose, or multiple deer.

[Dmay]

If starting with a whole new kit, it is worthwhile to look at KME. I have had one for many years and it works flawlessly.

[nekred]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I use a Gatco diamond kit, it allows me to sharpen blades shaving sharp, with very little effort. I never need to sharpen blades in the field.

x2 with a Japanese water stone at end... great youtube videos on sharpening it is all about consistency...

[Cageyc]

I’ve had my gatco for over 20 years now and am happy with the edge it gives. I added the diamond stone to it and have greater results. The Lansky kit is very similar.

[huntinstuff]

I suck at sharpening
I have a Lansky system....I suck at it.

I use Havalon and Outdoor Edge swing blades because I am useless at sharpening. I have stones, ceramic stuff, electric ones etc.......I cant cut butter with a knife that i "sharpened"........

[raised by wolves]

Hey SNS2, come have a couple pints at my place and I'll dig out the good stones.

[Pathfinder76]

I use the wicked edge system and quite like it.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

I use the wicked edge system and quite like it.

I hear those are amazing. Just pricey!

[Phil McCracken]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

I use the wicked edge system and quite like it.

Just checked prices on these systems...Yikes!...

[sns2]

Originally Posted by raised by wolves

Hey SNS2, come have a couple pints at my place and I'll dig out the good stones.

Where is Mr Fowlow from Portugal gone to? He seems to have gone dark. Maybe in Portugal??

[sns2]

Originally Posted by raised by wolves

Hey SNS2, come have a couple pints at my place and I'll dig out the good stones.

Wife comes home tomorrow night. Let’s shoot for next week and I will bring over a couple of ruined by me knives to see if you can salvage.

If you suck, I broadcast it far and wide on AO

[-JR-]

Between me and my Dad we have used many different sharpeners I needed something quick in the field so I bought a accu-sharp. It is my go to sharpener now All the other sharpeners are put away for good.
Many other companies try to copy it but do not work. Accu sharp has the right ange and the right material. I use it on my hunting knifes , axes , ice auger and my home butch knifes. Best sharpener out there
Accu- Sharp

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by -JR-

Between me and my Dad we have used many different sharpeners I needed something quick in the field so I bought a accu-sharp. It is my go to sharpener now All the other sharpeners are put away for good.
Many other companies try to copy it but do not work. Accu sharp has the right ange and the right material. I use it on my hunting knifes , axes , ice auger and my home butch knifes. Best sharpener out there
Accu- Sharp

I have one of those. While they are fast I find they shave off so much steel id never use then on a good knife. For My various victorinox meat cutters though its fantastic although i do find the edge gets awful chippy as it puts a really thin edge on those thinner steels

[Pathfinder76]

Pull through sharpeners should be illegal. Yikes!

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

Pull through sharpeners should be illegal. Yikes!

I would never pull one of my expensive knives through one of those sharpeners! Never!

[EZM]

Like mentioned on a previous sharpening thread - I have bought more sharpening systems I care to admit and tried them all - Lanksy, Diamond edge, ect...

For my utility knifes, camp and pocket knife, fillet knife, working knives - the Ken Onion Work Sharp belt is quick, easy and effective. Get a razor sharp edge for me. Fast, easy, sharp. This is 95% of my sharpening. Trick there is to go through the progressive belts and get a good bite (burr) on first two belts. The third is really just a burr removal and polish. I can do a half dozen knives in well under an hour (all three steps).

If the knives are pretty sharp and and in good condition - you can skip the first coarse belt and go to "belt 2" (the moderate grit).

For kitchen knives, and other fine blades, I have a set of very nice Japanese wet stones. 3" wide and 11" long in 6 grits. It's lots of work, but I can get a razor sharp edge that looks clean and shiny without so much as a mark or scratch. But it's some work and patience. This could be an hour a knife, assuming they are in reasonably good condition.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

Pull through sharpeners should be illegal. Yikes!

I have to agree but I do carry one in my field dressing kit, I also carry a mini steel which isn’t that much different when I come to think of it. The problem with pull throughs is they follow every wobble in the blade and enhance them. Lee valley used to sell one with ceramic wheels which are slightly less intrusive than the carbide pull throughs. For chartering challenged folks I think anything easy is better than nothing.

[DirtShooter]

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003NCVFC4?...seeDetailsToDp

Not a bad deal for a 3 piece DMT stone set.