Sharpening knives tips

[Skillet]

So I recently got a Smith's Precision Sharpening Kit, with a two angled set of slits at twenty degrees and the other at twenty five, and three stones, a yellow coarse diamond stone, a blue medium natural Arkansas stone for serrated edges, and a red fine natural arkansas stone.

a few questions-

A- what is the best angle to sharpen a straight edge and then a serrated edge?

B- Is this a good sharpening kit?

thanks!

 

[mustang_steve]

I've never tried your kit, but if it's anything like the Lansky Kit, it should serve you well. Edit: I saw it is much like the Lansky system, so yes, it should do you well. Keep in mind this system will not work well on pen-blade folders. For those, I just use the stones as if they were just regular whetstones.

The correct edge angle depends on how you will use this blade. You want a narrower angle when sharpness is crucial and a wider angle when edge durability is crucial. So start with the factory edge angle...if you like it, stay with it. If not, then decide if it's going dull too fast (too narrow an angle currently on it) or not sharp enough (too wide an angle currently on it).

 

[hso]

We have a sticky on sharpening at the top of the forum that should provide some good reading.

 

[Skillet]

the link is broken or something. google cant bring it up.

 

[MarkDozier]

Sharpening a serrated edge is quite different from a regular blade. I suggest you get a tool that will work specially for that

 

[possum]

I have several kits, the one you listed is my deployment/ in the field kit. it works pretty good. It is best to use on a knife that has a good edge, and just needs to be hit up a few times. which is exactly what I do when I am deployed or in the field, camping etc, if I use it a lot, I hit it up with the fine stone to get it nice again.

I use the 25 degree angle on mine. I have sharpened Benchmades, my Grayman, Gerber auto tanto folder, and a few other here and there that belong to other soldiers. as long as the blades aren't too far gone, it is easy to get the sharp.

 

[Beelzy]

Well, most of the newer makers of production blades actually have their blade edges at
22-23 degrees, so 25 is closest. The good old hand method is still the best, but like shaving
with a straight razor it takes LOTS of practice.

For the serrated edges a needle file set will do nicely. Round file for the large serrations,
and a triangle one for the small ones.

 

[HoosierQ]

I'll tell you what, your question is "Sharpening Tips" so I am not off topic.

Everybody has a different opinion on angle...I am on a smaller angle kick right now.

But here's my tip and I learned it here.

Regardless of angle, stay on one side of the blade for as many strokes as it takes to raise a burr on the opposite side...don't switch back and forth. Then switch sides. Then go down in grit and repeat.

What this has done for me is allowed me to maintain a consistent free-hand angle. This has been a revelation for me.

 

[ilbob]

Somewhere recently I saw a suggestion of sharpening your pocket knife on the bottom of your ceramic coffee cup.

I tried it and it actually works pretty well.

 

[HoosierQ]

The edge of a car window works too. Glass is much harder than steel. That half round edge, when you think about it, is pretty much just like a ceramic stick.

 

[Skillet]

but what about serrated edges? what is the technique there?

 

[conw]

A small diamond circular tapered hone works okay, some people use sharpmakers...depending on the serration pattern a lansky croc stick like this may be available:

Difficulty of sharpening is the biggest issue I have with serrated knives, which is why the only one I have is as a backup, never-use folding knife for last ditch stuff.