Knife Sharpening for Beginners

[KnuteFartne]

I have a few pocket knives that could use some sharpening. Figure it's a good skill to have. Anyone have any tips or pointers.

I bought one of those V shaped sharpeners at Harbor Freight but it sucks. Need to get a nice stone. Advice on stone?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Ricekila]

Advice on stone?

Keep it well oiled --

[Mad Trapper]

I've got a quality set of wet stones and some diamond stones too. You need a range of grits from coarse to very fine, add a strop if you want razor edges. Starting out guides to maintain the angle may help.

Read up on how to sharpen, it's an acquired skill.

[1skrewsloose]

Talk to Tourist, just kidding!!:)

[KnuteFartne]

Keep it well oiled --That's what she said.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[BucketBack]

I've been using a Normark Tri Hone stone since the 90's. First day I had it, buddies kids friend dropped it off the table and a stone popped off. It was deer camp

I five minute epoxied it back on when I went back to work

Something like this

https://pics.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/sharpen/images/ac-22.jpg

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/AC22/tri-hone-sharpening-system-8-woil-three-stones-three-different-grits

I have a large but not [4" x 24"] tri hone out the barn, that I paid $5 for at a garage sale. Plus about another 20 misc stones for gouges and crank chisels

[hawgrider]

Arkansas white

Is what I've been using. Same stone for 3 decades.

[BucketBack]

I have a 2" x 3" Hard ArKansas Black stone from Gramps. A couple strokes of that and leather, puts a razor edge on wood chisels. ( after getting it sharp already )

[Sparkyprep]

Arkansas oil stone. Get a two-sided one. Coarse side and a smooth side. GO SLOW. Technique is more important than what stone you use. The real trick is keeping the angle the same, consistent, and uniform. Over and over again. do not think that more strokes on the smooth side is the same as a few strokes on the coarse side. Keep your stone well oiled. This provides lubricant to the steel, and it keeps the microscopic steel dust that you are creating floated away from the knife edge. I could go on and on and on on this subject. I don't put much value into any of those "electric knife sharpeners" or any of the v-shaped sharpeners. However, if you have trouble keeping your angle the same when sharpening, I do like the sharpening guides that you can buy, such as a Lansky Sharpener. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Knife sharpening has been kinda one of my "things" since I was about 12 years old.

[BucketBack]

I tested my chisels at work, by shaving hair around my left wrist.

I prefer a burr edge on my hunting knives. Filet knives need to be sharp.

[Inor]

I am far too anal about sharpening my tools, especially in the wood shop. I like King brand Japanese water stones for my hand planes and Trend brand diamond "stones" for knives, chisels and router bits.

The diamond stone I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Trend-DWS-CP8-Double-Sided-Professional/dp/B004RZJ0F0/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3XRH3F1GOB0V&dchild=1&keywords=trend+diamond+stone+1000+300&qid=1631576491&sprefix=trend+%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-5

For sharpening knives and chisels, I only use the 1000 grit. The 300 grit is perfect for lapping water and oil stones and that is really the only time I use it. Unless you are sharpening carving chisels or hand planes, I cannot see why you would need more than the diamond stone.

The best advice I can give is be prepared to invest some serious time developing muscle memory.

Don't go crazy on the grits, especially for just knives.

[Mad Trapper]

I've been using a Normark Tri Hone stone since the 90's. First day I had it, buddies kids friend dropped it off the table and a stone popped off. It was deer camp

I five minute epoxied it back on when I went back to work

Something like this

https://pics.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/sharpen/images/ac-22.jpg

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/AC22/tri-hone-sharpening-system-8-woil-three-stones-three-different-grits

I have a 4" x 24" tri hone out the barn, that I paid $5 for at a garage sale. Plus about another 20 misc stones for gouges and crank chisels

I've got one of those. Coarse carborundum and two Arkansas med and fine. Was a present I got my parents years ago, mine since they passed.

[1skrewsloose]

Lansky or Gatco sharpening kits work well. They have short stones, but do the job. Good for pocket knives, but not for something like a long butcher knife.

This is what I carry when out working and need to do a touch up.
https://www.worksharptools.com/shop/sharpeners/manual/guided-field-sharpener/

[bigwheel]

I have a set of excellent under priced kitchen knives made by yumppin yimmines in Sweden Victornox brand formerly Forschner I think. Got the long Granton slicer the big chef knife and my favorite the 6" curved boner..plust the paring knifeThey get nice and sharp using the steel. The steel seems to also sharpen up the other knives ok too. Guess I just know how to do it or something. I have a rock but aint used it in years. lol.https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Forschner-Fibrox-Deluxe-Culinary/dp/B00FA3C5MI/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=victorinox+knife+sets&qid=1631837862&sr=8-8