Knife Sharpening

[Texanhunter]

Been working on getting my knives to speed the last few days, and can never seem to get them to the point that they cut hair. I know there are several different ways, so how do you do it? I use a Smith's sharpening kit, and use the guide for different angles and different stones to progressively get sharper.

[Strummer]

I use the wart hog .Best sharpener I have used

[atexx2]

I use a diamond rock , free handed and then hone it on a piece of leather belt.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

I use the wart hog .Best sharpener I have used

X2

[Shane]

Lansky system and then strop on some good leather. The leather really gets it shaving sharp.

[sam4613]

Smith Abrasives CCKS - 2 step Knife Sharpener

hppt://smithsedge.com/products/products.asp?id=44&cid=

[Casey]

Lansky system and then strop on some good leather. The leather really gets it shaving sharp.

This works quite well for me!

[Texanhunter]

What angle do you use?

[Shane]

I think it's 20 degrees. I use the middle slot on the Lansky.

[Casey]

What angle do you use?

I use 25. According to the little instruction pamphlet, that's the best angle for outdoor knives. It works for me.

They state:
17 degrees for razor blades, x-acto blades or similar. Extremely sharp but delicate edge
20 degrees for higher grade, quality blades. Excellent edge for those types of knives. Ideal for kitchen knives
25 degrees for most knives that need a durable, sharp edge. Ideal for hunting and outdoor knives
30 degrees for knives that see the heavy use of cutting cardboard, wire or carpets. Heavy duty use.

[doublearrow]

I send all my knives out to customers with a lansky edge. There's a couple of tricks to it to get it shaving sharp, but I like the results. First use the same guide on each rock. Save one guide and throw the rest away. They are all bent a little bit different and hit just slightly differently.
Next when finished with one stone using that same stone make one sweeping swipe across the entire length of the edge. This knocks off the wire edge that forms.
Last don't use pressure let the stone do the work. There's enough flex in blades and in the holder it's self that pressure flexes it too much.

[glen]

I use a paper wheel on a polishing grinder and I get them sharper than i've ever seen anyone on a Lansky- My boss has a belt sharpener and it does the job very well also.

[kenforu]

I take them to a knife maker in Willis and have him take care of them the first time and then after that I just have to whip them on a ceramic stone a couple of times and they are ready to go.

[theboydoutdoors]

Throw all those fancy sharpening kits in the trash , get a good quality stone with a medium grit on one side , fine grit on the other, then get a seperate hard stone to finish with. Start with the medium grit side of the stone, oil the crap out of it and then with a firm stroke drag the blade across the stone the whole length of the blade , turn the knife over and drag it back.. After you get a good edge started then turn the stone over to the fine side oil it up and start again. Should'nt take long to get a good edge started then use the hard stone to clean all the burrs off the edge . Always use a good amount of oil. Then back and fourth on your boot a few times . Should be able to shave a period off a newspaper without cutting a hole in the paper. Its gonna take some practice to get good at it , but its worth it.

[shane stoe]

diamond rock...