bjk

I know this is slightly off topic, but I wondered what everyone used to keep there knives very sharp. I was thinking of getting one of the electronic Chef's Choice sharpeners, or maybe one of the Lanskey diamond setups. Any tips or experience appreciated.

Thanks
Brian

JimPic

I use a Lansky and it's pretty idiot proof and does put a decent edge on.A couple of weeks ago,there was a buddy at the camp that sharpened my Buck on a water stone.I'm lousy with stones(that's why I use a Lansky)so he was showing me how to sharpen.When he was done,that was one of the sharpest blades I ever felt.Now I'm looking for water stones-a course and a fine.

Nine_Point_Buck

The Spyderco Sharpmaker works really well. I bought me one this past Summer... and have used it a few times...
You can just use the grey stones to put a Utility edge on something like a Hatchet... or use both the grey and white Stones to put a Razor sharp edge on Knives!

Edited by - Nine_Point_Buck on 11/26/2002 09:03:28

model722

I've always used a stone and done my sharpening by hand. I like to use oil instead of water. The biggest thing to remeber is that it takes time and patience you can never hurry a good thing. All my knives are razor sharp and I like to keep them that way. There is nothing worse than trying to gut a deer and cut it up with a dull knive.

Tazman

I have always used a whett stone and oil, coarse and fine sides, I rarely if ever have to use the course side though, except when sharpening some of my wifes kitchen knifes, I think she carves car fenders or something when I am not home!

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

skeeter 7MM

Lansky or spyderco for the easiest and good edge. Wet stone in fine and course with oil or veg. oil best but takes time to perfect. If you know somebody that does the wet stone technique I would suggest asking for a little workshop. Most hunting knifes are in that 20-25% range for edge, the lansky has 17, 20, 25 & 30 so decent ranges to give you the finish you want(however just buy the regular(blue, red, green and black...use a piece of leather to finish it of instead of the yellow). I got the diamond one for a christmas gift and ended up getting rid of it. I found the above to be a quicker method(Spyderco, diamond sheaths are nice)..JIMO)

kodiakhuntmaster

I never was able to sharpen my buck knives to a razors edge with a hand stone. I use the $20 sharpining kit that comes in the black case at walmart. It works great for me. Will sharpen my Buck Pathfinder to a scary sharp edge.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

soarkrebel

I like my stones . i can get a knife razor sharp it just takes a little time and patience. but i think you must start with a good knife first. oh and good arkansas stones!!

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

121553

I have great sucess in useing those ceramic crock sticks to obtaining a surgical razor sharpened edge, but you have to start off with good quality steel to start off with. By no means am I a knife expert, but I have made maybe a dozen or so knives by forgeing them and poundind out the steel,(yes, the winters are long here). As I am working on obtaining the proper angle I do this with a fine grit belt sander, after this I take a very fine stone. Now I use the crock sticks and have no need for any other stone, their fast and work great. They are also very inexpensive, 10-15 bucks maybe, later on, Bobby <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

skeeter 7MM

Soark, brings up a very good point on quality of knife. Many of the ones we carry on our belts today, like schrade, buck and Gerber are made with very thin, low grade steel and using a wet stone can cause over honing and the creation of thin edges. Oh hell yeah they are sharp, but won't last long, break nick and chip. I think the reason, other than cost, is exactly the sharpening...my Gerber gator takes me 10 minutes from dull to razor on a lansky/leather strap...my hand made bone knife...FORGET ABO IT' on the lanksy maybe an hour to be decent. Guess which one I carry 99% of the time? The gator...it works, easy and if i ever lost it big deal 40 bucks and I am back in biz.

If you have a older or top quality knife with high grade steel than the wet stone is where it is at. The lansky will work as well, but imo the wet stone tech does a much nicer job and quicker. I do all my chefs knifes with wet stone and veggie oil, cause they are very high quality steel.

My tip is the lansky will more than likely do the job and can make your knife last longer as it doesn't take as much steel as wet stoning. (I am going to get blasted for that one...but given steel quality it is my opinion only here) Like I said before keep your hunting knife in the 20-25% range for an edge...I hone mine at 20% on the lansky and about 22.5% on a wet stone. Trust me it will save the blade and will last you longer in the field.