[kewa0501]

A couple questions for sharpening knives:
I have a medium grit Arkansas stone that I have used for the last 6 years. It has some chips on the edges but I'm wondering how do you tell if it is worn out? Do they get worn out?


Second question, to get a razor edge on a knife what setup do you use to sharpen? I know the final step is stropping and when I did have a strop I got some pretty nice edges but nothing spectacular.

So, what setup do you use to sharpen?

[NBT]

I have a variety of methods here at the house.
Norton Waterstones.... 220/1000 grit...1000/8000 grit, and a 4000 grit.
They can put a great edge on your knives, about the biggest drawback is they can remove a lot of material...so you have to be careful.
For me, holding a certain angle(s) on a knife....pass after pass is rather difficult...and if allowed to continue... can actually dull a blade edge versus sharpening it.
SO....I also have an Edge Pro Apex sharpener to keep me on track in regards to blade angle.
http://www.edgeproinc.com/Apex-Model...Pro-System-c3/
The Edge Pro is expensive...but worth it when it comes to sharpening pricey knives. Last thing I want to do is ruin the edge on a good knife.
Some people will use sharpening paper wheels or emery paper for sharpening convex edges. I have used paper...but since getting the aforementioned sharpeners use it very little.
Those of us who have ever tried freehand sharpening know what kind of skill it takes to keep that ridiculously even bevel by hand.
About the only other system out there that I'm familiar with is the Lansky system. Worked but not great IMHO. I do believe that using oil does not help in getting a good edge. It's been stated that the oil actually holds metal shavings to the stone...instead of rinsing them away.
Not sure if that's true or not...but ever since going to water stones...my edges are much better.
There is a TON of information out there on sharpening. The toughest "knives" I have tried to sharpen is my straight razors... I had Shapton ceramic stones here...and despite day's/months of honing with pastes....leather strops...and so on....decided this is a job for a honemeister.
Good luck finding what works for you.

[ozark-tracker]

my grandmother started showing me how to sharpen a blade over 50 years ago, I've practiced ever since, I've used stones, ceramics, diamond stones almost everything they've come out with in the last 50 years, the diamond stone is what I;ve been using for the last 15 years, it depends what your doing with your blade how you sharpen, I don't want a shaving edge on my everyday knife, just a using edge, only use the stone, but on a shaving edge, I use the diamond then go to a ceramic for a few strokes then use an old leather glove to knock the feather edge off the blade, shaves just fine, the most important thing about keeping an edge on a blade, don't wait till it's dull, I touch mine up every day or two, just a few strokes on the stone to keep it like I want it. get a knife, it doesn't have to be an expensive knife and start using it, get a stone and start using it, sharpen it everyday, when you get the blade wore out from sharpening it, you'll probably know how to put an edge on your good knifes.

[Travclem]

Edge Pro Apex with Chosera stones and KnivesPlus stropblock.

[jtull7]

I use a Bear Double-Sided Oil Bath, an Arkansas Black, and an old belt for a strop. I have the sharpest knives in New Mexico.

I don't think they make the Bear any longer. The closest thing to it I can find is the Norton IM200 -8" Three Stone Sharpening System.

The Arkansas Black is what surgeons in the old days used to sharpen their scalpels.

[greyhoundafw]

Depends on edge type, ie convex, v-grind, or chisel. I have made good use out of Spyderco sharpmaker, and Lansky systems. Automotive grade wet/dry sandpaper and leather hone for convex

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