Sidearms & Scatterguns reshparpen knifes as good as new?

[Jayne]

I've been carrying the same spyderco delica for the last 12 or so years and I've used it for all sorts of things you should never do (like cutting fiberglass insulation). Each time I've managed to get it sharpened to a reasonable edge with either the spyderco "tri-angle sharpmaker" kit or one of the lansky kits.

That said, I can never get them as sharp as any random new spyderco you pull out of a box.

Is it possible to get well used knives as sharp as the factory using just stones/kits/etc by the rookie at home?

 

[bm11]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Get a Wicked Edge. I could always get a decent edge with a Sharp Maker, but never been able to re profile with the precision of the Wicked Edge, as quick as a Wicked Edge, and as air bleeding sharp as a Wicked Edge, until I got a Wicked Edge.

 

[TXPACS]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Go to the barbershop & ask them when the guy comes around who sharpens their shears or for his contact info. Usually a mobile service. Extremely cheap & you will have a new edge.

 

[SPfeiffer]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Start asking around and see if you can find a local knife maker / bladesmith. These guys will have a belt sander and belts and have the grinding technique down to get your knife back to original

 

[P Henry]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I researched sharpeners to death. I was looking for something a novice could be successful with (i.e. very sharp blades), didn't make a mess, minimized the risk of scratching or damage, and didn't take too much time. I placed an order for a Wicked Edge today. If it is half as good as people claim, it is just what I'm looking for. Seriously expensive though for the novice user.

 

[SMH]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

There are many sharpening options and most will get the job done IF you devote the time and attention to it.

I am a knifemaker and would use my Bader B3 (2x72 belts)for a blade that had never been sharpened or was heavily chipped and mangled.

If you are re-sharpening a dull blade, you (hopefully) won't need to re-create the secondary bevels and or utilize a belt grinder.

I use a Gatco diamond (medium) to clean up the bevels and sharpen the blade. The edge will be functional but not quite shaving or at least not shaving cleanly. Now I switch to a white ceramic on the Gatco (or Lansky though I think the Gatco is a bit more user friendly)
The blade will shave nicely after using the white ceramic stone. I would then usually make a pass or two across a loose buffing wheel (this can be EXTREMELY dangerous)for a literally "hair popping" edge.
(I challenge customers at knife shows to find a blade on my table that wont shave cleanly. No one has found one but if they do, it will be promptly removed and not offered for sale until corrected!)

A few tips-
I suggest a marker to place a few dots along the edge of the blade. This will make it easy to see if your grind angle matches the existing edge. (Otherwise you might not notice until you have removed enough to screw up the edge and or cosmetically blemish an otherwise flawless bevel)

Run both ways (sawing motion) with the Lansky/gatco until you have intersected the bevels (creating a bur). Kill the bur by running a push only motion or by sawing very lightly only a few passes each side before switching sides.

Have good lighting because it will enable you to see mistakes that you would swear didn't exist in average lighting conditions.

Or, the easiest technique to a sharp blade...offer a knifemaking buddy a bottle of something nice in exchange for a razor sharp blade.

 

[flyfisher117]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I love my Spyderco tri angle. I stop at step 3 and get my knives sharper than they come factory, if i try to do step 4 (flat side of honing stone) I usually do more harm than good but step 3 gives me awesome results. Are you doing something wrong? Wobble of the wrist? Too much pressure?

 

[roosterpig]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

patience young grass hoppa! patience!

 

[Drifter]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?


All good advice, I especially like the "bottle of something nice" being a knifemaker myself. Crown reserve will absolutely get your knife shaving sharp here.

Wicked edge, you would be able to match that factory edge pretty easily. Probably the best option available.

They are sharp F'rs arent they! It never fails, at work ,within 15 mins of issuing a new Benchmade happy camper X usually has a bloody finger after 135 tests of the deployment system of his new piece of gear.

Also check promotive if you have an account. excellent price.

 

[roosterpig]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Drifter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
All good advice, I especially like the "bottle of something nice" being a knifemaker myself. Crown reserve will absolutely get your knife shaving sharp here.

Wicked edge, you would be able to match that factory edge pretty easily. Probably the best option available.

They are sharp F'rs arent they! It never fails, at work ,within 15 mins of issuing a new Benchmade happy camper X usually has a bloody finger after 135 tests of the deployment system of his new piece of gear.

Also check promotive if you have an account. excellent price.


</div></div>

Nothin' keeps that wrist consistent and steady like a little brown liquor!

 

[bassani]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Wicked Edge is the best sharpening system you are going to find...that is..if you can find someone that has them in stock. there is typically a 3-4 month back order

 

[Jayne]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

so... I'm seeing "buy a wicked edge" or "bribe your local knife sharpener" as options.

I'll have to seriously consider getting the wicked edge since I would want to sharpen not only my pocket knives but the keep the kitchen knives sharp as well.

 

[hlee]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I use automotive wet/dry sand paper taped to a marble tile I picked up a Lowes. I start aggressively with low grit to set the bevel angle, then work up through the grits to 2000. Also, I use an edge trailing motion to keep the paper from bulging up and mucking up the edge. From there I move to a leather strop loaded with 3 progressively finer grits of polishing compound. This leaves the bevels mirror polished and the edge scary sharp. All you really need is a reasonably steady hand and some patience. All of the knives in my field dressing kit easily "tree top" arm hairs.

My uncle and another guy on our deer lease both work for a professional sharpening company and while fine for their purpose, their blades are laughably dull compared to "actually sharp." I would never pay for a service as I like my knives sharp. Check out the maintenance forum at www.bladeforums.com for a masters treatise in knife sharpening.

 

[pyplynr]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Been looking for the same thing myself. Finally bit the bullet on the Wicked Edge this past Sunday. Here is the email I received after ordering.

"We have received your order and want to thank you. Due to extremely high demand this holiday season the Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener is currently on back order for 1 week. We are happy to keep your order on file and will send you a tracking number on the specific shipping date. We will guarantee that your order will be delivered Monday, December 24. Please let us know if there is anything else you need.
Best regards,
Kyle @ Wicked Edge"

So not quite a 3-4 month back order.

 

[Nocalphoenix]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Edge pro apex is what I use exclusively and I could not be happier. I set a primary edge with a rough stone based on the steel and a secondary edge about 3 degrees steeper. Unless there is abuse or a super rolled edge I can kiss the secondary with a ceramic rod and restore razor sharp edges.

I used angles of 21/24 for most 440c, 420 and common pocket knife steels. Jumping to 154 or S30V I will thin them out more, usually 18/21. This takes advantage of having the better steel by giving it a thinner edge that will not wear down to quickly. If you try to shape a thin edge on 440c or something similiar it will dull quickly and not hold the edge.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I had an Edge Pro Apex which worked ok. I have no doubt the sharpener is capable of phenomenal edges but it does require a bit of skill from the operator. I bought a Wicked Edge earlier this year and it's damned near fool proof requiring very little in the way of skill which is perfect for me.

I bought a Work Sharp but sold it shortly after it arrived. Just wasn't impressed with the build quality or the capabilities.

 

[UNREAL HENRY]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jayne</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been carrying the same spyderco delica for the last 12 or so years and I've used it for all sorts of things you should never do (like cutting fiberglass insulation). Each time I've managed to get it sharpened to a reasonable edge with either the spyderco "tri-angle sharpmaker" kit or one of the lansky kits.

That said, I can never get them as sharp as any random new spyderco you pull out of a box.

Is it possible to get well used knives as sharp as the factory using just stones/kits/etc by the rookie at home?
</div></div>

As a knife nut I agree that you should get the Wicked Edge,,, But that Delica is probably due for replacement. The edge thickens after each sharpening reducing cutting ability and ease of sharpening. There is a new Delica out that has a flat ground blade which cuts better and doesn't thicken up as much.

 

[Jayne]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: UNREAL HENRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> But that Delica is probably due for replacement. </div></div>


Could a pro fix that "thickening" issue in some way? The knife does have some sentimental value.

Honestly though I've had to switch away from my daily carry delica with the new job I've taken. The knife clipped to my pocket won't cut it with the new business wardrobe so I've gone to a SOG slim jim which rides inside the waistband and with the low clip doesn't poke me in the side (very much). The delica now is just for weekends and casual wear.

 

[UNREAL HENRY]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I dont know old Spyderco's that well. Its hard to say what can be done without knowing the blade style (saber grind, half serrated, etc) and condition of the knife. I suggest you join the Spyderco forum and post a picture of your knife. Ask "where to go from here".

This probably isn't ideal for your knife, but heres a video on regrinding to a full flat grind:

[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTt_F0UC6vU[/video]

 

[UNREAL HENRY]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Spyderco will regrind or sharpen it:

http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=10

 

[smschulz]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had an Edge Pro Apex which worked ok. I have no doubt the sharpener is capable of phenomenal edges but it does require a bit of skill from the operator. I bought a Wicked Edge earlier this year and it's damned near fool proof requiring very little in the way of skill which is perfect for me.

</div></div>

That is a cool looking organizer.
Just may happen to copy that design for mine!!

 

[athhud]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I use a Lansky setup for shaping, a steel rod for sharpening, and sandpaper for polishing the edge. I maintain one hair whittling sharp blade and the rest are razor sharp at the very least. Those systems like Wicked Edge are nice and make things stupid easy, but if you can maintain the angle by hand, you don't have to spend a whole lot of money to keep an extremely nice edge.

 

[Fester47]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I use a 1" x 30" belt grinder. I start with 320 grit them 600 finish worth a surgi sharp strop belt with rouge. I can get a abused, good steel knife shaving hair in 3 minutes. Its just not something you can throw in you pack to take with you. I do have a 6" strop I take with me. Its just a board with leather on both sides. One side course rouge the other side fine. Its good for maintaining the edge.

 

[Armatus]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I love that wicked edge, but I will probably never get one. I got good enough at freehand sharpening that I cannot justify the cost. No doubt the the WE would do better than I can with just a free hand, but I am more than happy with just the DMT stones.

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

You should be able to get the edge you need with a Lansky. Just that when you start to get close to having the edge where you want it, only make a couple of passes & then switch sides. And once you've got the edge "there", take a couple of passes @ a steeper angle with a ceramic, to remove the edge wire/burr.
Should give you a shaving sharp edge. Does on all my knives, plus the majority of them in the extended family

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

I have been lucky enough that throughout my life I could always take a pocket stone or two with different grits and a leather strap (Belt/Sling) and produce a pocket or hunting knife that would shave.

 

[UNREAL HENRY]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jon Lester</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been lucky enough that throughout my life I could always take a pocket stone or two with different grits and a leather strap (Belt/Sling) and produce a pocket or hunting knife that would shave. </div></div>

Glad to hear that! Everyone in America owns a set of knives but hardly anybody knows how to us or sharpen them. It a mystery to me. Here is a video of a hair whittling edge - knife and stones all under $100...

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[Roadwild17]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Tag for later

 

[Jhnmdahl]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

The wicked edge seems like a clever idea. Most of the pro sharpeners around here, or serious woodworkers, tend to use a Tormek or some equivalent (Jet makes a copy). Not cheap, but pretty versatile.

 

[jmb1911]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Wife bought me an EPA (EDGE PRO APEX) for my birthday a couple months ago.

It is great. I've put some crazy sharp edges on my knives and the knives of others, yet I must admit there is a learning curve and it requires a modicum of patience and a hefty portion of muscle memory and concentration to get the edge you want.

I'd say it takes about 10 knives of each type you sharpen to really get the hang of it (EDC thinner blades, tactical folders, tactical fixed, kitchen, hoof, etc...not to mention blade steels and different grind types).

The Ontario and Rowan (ESEE) 1095 carbon steels, AUS8 of from several knife makers, 154CM (Benchmade) and the Sanvik steel Kershaw uses and a bunch of Moras (take an insane edge) comprise most of my experience. However, I did sharpen my Bro-in-law's Spyderco Native with CPMS30V, and it took twice as long as the others...but good heavens did it get sharp.

The Wicked Edge looks like the next logical step up, but for now, I'm happy and all my knives are sharper than when they came from their various factories, accept for my Ontario RTAK II, since it is too darn big of a blade for my current level of expertise. I did my ESEE 6's edge and its blade is as long as the EPA could handle with one pass.

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

what no love for a piece of 320 grit sandpapper,this is the only way to go for me.After getting the edge the way I want it,then I use a good piece of leather to shine and aline the fletching.This then lets it shave you smooth like a babies butt

 

[tygolf2002]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

Look at paper wheel sharpening systems I have a set and I can get any knive back to razor sharp edge

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: reshparpen knifes as good as new?

+1 for Wicked Edge---see Maelek