Alright. Confession time, here. My wife bought me a very nice hunting knife a few years ago. I have used it to gut a few deer and have cleaned numerous squirrels with it. It's an expensive knife, and I don't want to ruin the blade...I have to confess, I have never learned how to properly sharpen a knife. We used to turn on the grinder in my grandfather's shed and sharpen old knives, watching the sparks fly everywhere, and grinding away the blade as well as sharpening it. I don't want to do that to this knife. Help!!
Wed, 2006-01-18 22:46
Correct Way to Sharpen a Knife
Wed, 2006-01-18 23:33
#1
Correct Way to Sharpen a Knife
This article might help some. Towards the bottom of the article it talks a little bit about sharpening.
I have always sharpened all our knives with good quality whetstones and honing oil or water (not both together, what you use depends on the stone). If you have never sharpened a knife before, it might be helpful to have someone actually show you how to hold the knife, and how to "draw" it across the stone. You start with a coarser stone, then work up to the finest. I would not push hard or try to sharpen too quickly, you'll just wear down the cutting edge too fast. Use a light touch with slow and controlled motions trying to keep the angle of the knife always the same with each stroke across the stone.
The Diamond Sharpening System is my favorite.
http://www.dmtsharp.com/
This website also has some good information and tips on sharpening.
I like the large full sized stones, not the small handheld ones.
Sat, 2006-01-21 09:51
#2
Correct Way to Sharpen a Knife
The best way to keep a knife tuned up is with a"shapening steel", the ones the butchers use. The knife is swipped alternately on both sides of the steel towards the handle(be careful) about six times or so on both sides. Butchers/meat cutters use the steel many times a day to keep their knives in tune.
As for sharpening with a hand stone, it can be difficult, unwanted scratches etc.
I would have a good knife professionaly honed and keep it in tune with a sharpening steel
A good shapening steel is a must for achieving the maximum performance in hunting knives and household cutlery.
Don't by the cheapest one either!
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