[frank4570]

After reading the Razor Edge book of sharpening, I took one month and shaved every day with my EDC pocket knife. The point was to force myself to learn deeply about a sharp knife, and learn quickly. It worked.
If I have a knife, I sharpen it razor sharp, that is what I call average.
I now have a full size Griptilian. This thing LOVES to be sharp.
Now I would like a better system. I want something that will make a blade ridiculously sharp very reliably, much sharper than what I can do with a stone. If it gave it a mirror finish on the edge, so much the better.

 

[TxDoubleAgent]

I think I shall subscribe to this thread. And when you do find that "system", let us all know. I have seen wheels, stones and the ceramic rods. The ceramics work pretty good for me now. But if there is an easier faster way, would like to know. In the 21st century am sure there is something out there that is FAST and efficient.

 

[dakotasdad]

Frank4570,

Rumor has it that these guys from Jersey have a pretty good system.

This is my next system that I'll be buying. A little pricey but hey, I have a lot of knives.. :supergrin:

www.kmesharp.com/kmeknshsy.html

I use crock sticks currently and they work fine but like yourself I desire an edge that is ridiculously sharp.

 

[TurboRocket]

I've been eyeing this one. If anyone can comment, that would be great. It's pricey, though.

http://www.wickededgeusa.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzL41ygQG0o

 

[Adjuster]

Hang your knifes from the ceiling with fishing line over a pyramid. That should do it.

 

[Warhorse]

Nothing fancy, but it will put a good edge on any type knife. I like mine a lot!
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/EC120/chefs-choice-edgeselect-white-case-deluxe

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

You need to start stropping. Currently you are skipping the final step in knife sharpening. I recommend something like this but any good leather strop will work and you can choose which compounds you prefer with experience.

Strops compounds and such.

If you think your knives were sharp before, just wait :wavey:

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I've been eyeing this one. If anyone can comment, that would be great. It's pricey, though.

http://www.wickededgeusa.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzL41ygQG0o

The Wicked Edge is a good system and you can find them for sale used on knife forums. I like to sharpen freehand.

 

[Batesmotel]

I have a system I got several years ago at a gun show. It is two 8 inch wheels for a bench grinder made of solid 1 inch thick paper. One contains a very fine abrasive the other is bare paper that you dress with bees wax. The first reshapes the edge and the second hones it to a razors edge.

 

[frank4570]

You need to start stropping. Currently you are skipping the final step in knife sharpening. I recommend something like this but any good leather strop will work and you can choose which compounds you prefer with experience.

Strops compounds and such.

If you think your knives were sharp before, just wait :wavey:

I have a strop that has 1 leather piece and one linen piece.
Compound? Maybe that is why it never worked that great for me.

 

[frank4570]

Frank4570,

Rumor has it that these guys from Jersey have a pretty good system.

This is my next system that I'll be buying. A little pricey but hey, I have a lot of knives.. :supergrin:

www.kmesharp.com/kmeknshsy.html

I use crock sticks currently and they work fine but like yourself I desire an edge that is ridiculously sharp.

That system seems to have some advantages over the Wicked edge system, and costs less, though they are very similar.
The wicked edge has some kind of proprietary stones. The kmesharp will use standard stones clamped into their holder.
The wicked edge is probably a little faster because there is one stone per side, that's twice as many stones. There is that higher price.

 

[GuinnessSynd]

i have got to get a sharpening system i have just a medium and fine grit stone i use it works and they are sharp but i know im missing and entire level of sharp.....think the kme might be it....or the sharpmaker cause im broke lol

 

[frank4570]

i have got to get a sharpening system i have just a medium and fine grit stone i use it works and they are sharp but i know im missing and entire level of sharp.....think the kme might be it....or the sharpmaker cause im broke lol

I have the sharpmaker. That thing will spoil you as far as getting a very good edge quickly and consistently.

When I was at tracker school there were a handful of knife guys, 2 of us had sharpmakers. The other 95 students were college kids with their first knife. We stayed REAL busy.

 

[frank4570]

I've done some more looking at the wicked edge. It has stones AND strops available. It looks to me like that is the way to go if money is no option. I'm guessing $300.00 for everything. Then a lifetime of dangerously sharp knives.
Probably too rich for my blood right now though. Maybe for christmas or something.

 

[JRS]

Not the best out there, but been using this plus the convex accessory for years now with no complaints. Gave away my sharpmaker once I got it.

http://www.dmtsharp.com/sharpeners/guided-sharpening/aligner-kits/

I need to get into stropping though.

 

[frank4570]

Wow. $400.00 for the wicked edge pro pack.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I have a strop that has 1 leather piece and one linen piece.
Compound? Maybe that is why it never worked that great for me.

Naked leather is a good daily maintenance practice. Don't be shy about the price of compound the black (coarse) and green (fine) will last you years and years.

These are my go to paddle strops. There is a user on the Blade Forum that made these custom strops from Cocobolo wood for me.

I also use the Spyderco Sharpmaker if a knife gets to dull to strop. I try to maintain my daily carry knives so I rarely need ceramic rods to tune up my edges.

 

[frank4570]

The strop that I have is for a razor ( I guess) with one end that you attach to your hitchin' post or whatever. I got it a long long time ago. Is this thing just not appropriate for what we are talking about here?

I don't suppose you'd care to give me a basic education on strops and pastes?:whistling:
I know other people here are interested. Leather, balsa wood, paste grits, etc .....

Naked leather is a good daily maintenance practice. Don't be shy about the price of compound the black (coarse) and green (fine) will last you years and years.

These are my go to paddle strops. There is a user on the Blade Forum that made these custom strops from Cocobolo wood for me.

I also use the Spyderco Sharpmaker if a knife gets to dull to strop. I try to maintain my daily carry knives so I rarely need ceramic rods to tune up my edges.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

The strop that I have is for a razor ( I guess) with one end that you attach to your hitchin' post or whatever. I got it a long long time ago. Is this thing just not appropriate for what we are talking about here?

I don't suppose you'd care to give me a basic education on strops and pastes?:whistling:
I know other people here are interested. Leather, balsa wood, paste grits, etc .....

Check out this link for some base line research and expand from there. Free hand sharpening and honing takes time to develop. Consistency is key. I only use the weight of the blade as far as pressure goes. If you aren't getting results you may need to hone more before stropping. Hope this helps.

Honing basics.


ETA

Take a look at the videos clips from these guys. The YouTube videos can take you step by step.

Honing

 

[Jason D]

I have struggled for years to maintain a sharp knife.
I can make a knife sharp enough to remove hair with a extra fine Arkansas Norton stone.
I will remove hair with no problem, it just doesn't glide like a razor blade.

I have played with other sharpeners. One of them being the Lanskey deluxe kit.
If you can maintain an 18 degree cut with the stone, you can get a thin edge that is extremely sharp. It's what Lanskey says to use on a razor or scalpel blade.

It works, but is a terribly weak edge.