Posted by Mark in NJ on Thursday, January 08, 2004 at 11:44PM :
In Reply to: OT - Knife sharpening posted by Todd Wilson on Thursday, January 08, 2004 at 10:16PM :
Check out woodworking suppliers and magizines for sharpening equipment.
Several systems include:
Japanese water stones(clean, wide range of grits)
Oil stones(a little messier, smaller range of grits)
Tormek wet grinding system(expensive but an excellent unit that holds the blade in a clamp) $360 + some cost for the knife clamp.
The Tormek unit also comes with a leather wheel that acts just like a leather strop in a old time barber shop. With ahoning compond, it gives a sharp, shiny edge while eliminating all the small grinding marks.
Get a book on sharpening. You will be surprised as to the information a good manual will have. Then it takes practice. Practice on a cheaper knife. It may have softer metal and may not hold an edge during use.
The idea is to get the edge to the point were you just maintain the edge with a strop r a fine stone and never have to go back to a griding wheel or course stone. Rarely would I ever put a file to a knife.
Good luck
Mark in NJ
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