That is blasphemy! A dull knife is a dangerous knife. You have to put more muscle into the cut and that can have catastrophic consequences. If you 'cut' yourself with it, it leaves a nasty wound that is harder to suture. I've sharpened knives for members of the community when I was on duty as part of my giving back from when we were poor growing up. It doesn't take much effort for people to realize you have more to give v.s. citations, arrests and evictions that truly will make a little difference. My old school chief was cool with it and I happily gave of my time and mediocre talent.This reminds me to sharpen knives before Thanksgiving.
I have to take my own knives to the inlaws for cooking/cutting. My wife's entire family believes that a sharp knife is a dangerous knife, thus every knife they own is dull and is put in the dishwasher for cleaning.
Wow, this is way more that I thought. I just have a simple carry sharpener that has a coarse and fine side and just did my best. This is really Helpful. Those sharpeners look great. What would you bring to sharpen a knife in the field? Lets say hunting or backpacking trip?Specific tools aside, you need a device that will sharpen each side of the knife separately. Meaning, you will sharpen one side to an extent, then sharpen the other side. This sharpening device should also have the ability to change sharpening angles, as different knives require different angles. Particular sharpening systems are better than others or are easier to use, but it's really the knowledge/technique that will yield the best results.
All of this is necessary so that you can bring the edge of the knife to a burr that rolls over to the opposite side you're sharpening. Once a burr is achieved, you go to the other side and repeat. Once you get a burr going the other way, it's time to change to a finer stone. The burr is important. Until you get a burr, you've not really sharpened a particular edge to the apex of the cutting edge. Sharpening to the apex of the edge (eventually eliminating burrs) gets you a sharp blade.
View attachment 237981
Drawing a Burr With The Wicked Edge Knife Sharpener
When you're first sharpening a blade, successfully drawing a burr from each side of the knife is the most important step. It is very difficult to know for certain without the presense of a burr if the bevels on each side of the blade actually extend to the edge. If the bevels do not extend all...wickededgeusa.com
I'll usually go through 2-4 different, progressively finer, stones. This all depends on how bad the edge was to begin with and how polished I want the edge.
After I'm finished up with stones and satisfied with the edge, I'll complete the job with a leather strop and polish compounds to remove any hint of a microscopic burr.
There are so many details (edge type, angle, edge purpose, durability considerations, etc.) to sharpening, but that will get you in the ballpark.
p.s. I use an Edge Pro system or sharpen by hand on stones/sandpaper. Wicked Edge is another good system to consider.
If you just need to touch up an edge in the field, all it will usually take is a couple passes on a ceramic rod or small stone. Just enough to remove a burr from heavy use.Wow, this is way more that I thought. I just have a simple carry sharpener that has a coarse and fine side and just did my best. This is really Helpful. Those sharpeners look great. What would you bring to sharpen a knife in the field? Lets say hunting or backpacking trip?
Lots for me to look into, really appreciate it. Need to get some stuff figured out, I have way too many knives to not know how to do thisIf you just need to touch up an edge in the field, all it will usually take is a couple passes on a ceramic rod or small stone. Just enough to remove a burr from heavy use.
Using one of these small sharpeners will put a micro bevel on your edge and typically get you back to razor sharp. Having a micro bevel on a heavy-use knife (even on a scandi grind, I'd argue) can be very beneficial and improve the durability of your edge.
I use one of these below, depending on how much I want to carry and how long I anticipate being out and about. You can even use the bottom unfinished edge of a ceramic coffee mug, in a pinch. Just be careful about the tip of your knife...you don't want to run the tip off the sharpening stone with full force, as you'll blunt it quickly...
Lansky Mini Dog Bone:
Amazon product ASIN B0001WP32W
EZE-LAP Diamond Rod:
Amazon product ASIN B002RL83CM
Idahone:
Amazon product ASIN B01AZVSQBI
Spyderco DoubleStuff:
Amazon product ASIN B0013AVZR8
Spyderco Sharpmaker:
Amazon product ASIN B000Q9C4AE
They look awesome but then I saw the price. A little steep for me, but definitely on the wish list.My B-I-L has a Wicked Edge system and he loves it and he sharpens knives for his friends as a side hobby/business. He also makes knives and little pry bars.
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
They look awesome but then I saw the price. A little steep for me, but definitely on the wish list.
Obviously no Boy scouts in that family!My wife's entire family believes that a sharp knife is a dangerous knife
I've taken my sharpener to the homes of my family.This reminds me to sharpen knives before Thanksgiving.
I have to take my own knives to the inlaws for cooking/cutting. My wife's entire family believes that a sharp knife is a dangerous knife, thus every knife they own is dull and is put in the dishwasher for cleaning.
This. I have 3 boy scouts and my oldest is getting ready to make Eagle soon. He is the designated knife sharpener at home and at deer camp. Sharpening was a duty I was happy to delegate to him and I think he likes being the go to for sharp blades. He uses my whet stones now, but I think there is a work sharp ken onion in his near future.Obviously no Boy scouts in that family!