Opinions on the best Knife Sharpener

[Bowland blades]

There are any number of very good videos out there on free hand sharpening with stones. The problem is not knowing what you need to do. The problem is learning HOW to do it. And that, like any precise motor skill, comes down to practice - lots of practice. And, like all precise motor skills, the early phases are very disappointing.

Ultimately, it’s something you have to really want to do for the sake of it - like fly fishing or restoring vintage vehicles. Many of us don’t have the time, the patience or the interest. We just want an efficient, repeatable way to get sharp knives. And that’s where the various tools come in.

I get very fed up with freehand purists getting superior about it. You might as well get superior about the fact that you make your own sourdough bread or hand carved the banister for your stairs. Oh… wait…

Actually its very easy to teach , it doesn't need lots of practice just a small amount of initial instruction . A thing that catches most out is " gadget obsession " it takes only a flat abrasive and mostly the right sort of fluid for the stone you have and proper grit progression ( except diamond stones I should these really do need to stay dry ) first time i had use of one i oiled it with kerosene a big mistake but it was the first time with a new tool . Remote teaching of motor skills is pretty tough to do though unfortunately.
will put up my video when i get my head around the how to post it , tech is not my thing

 

[Bowland blades]

There are any number of very good videos out there on free hand sharpening with stones. The problem is not knowing what you need to do. The problem is learning HOW to do it. And that, like any precise motor skill, comes down to practice - lots of practice. And, like all precise motor skills, the early phases are very disappointing.

Ultimately, it’s something you have to really want to do for the sake of it - like fly fishing or restoring vintage vehicles. Many of us don’t have the time, the patience or the interest. We just want an efficient, repeatable way to get sharp knives. And that’s where the various tools come in.

I get very fed up with freehand purists getting superior about it. You might as well get superior about the fact that you make your own sourdough bread or hand carved the banister for your stairs. Oh… wait…

I would say most video i see are folks trying to appear superior or selling the sharpening kit . If we loose these two factors things are far easier to get .
If all my customers could learn to sharpen , life would be easier for me . Taking big chips out or re- profiling a snapped off tip is always going to need someone with a bit knowledge and experience, that's best going to a pro to be fair , its also rare ! For a stalker who knows what they are doing on a beast and isn't using their stalking knife as a larder tool , need to sharpen a good knife should be well into double figures . A really good knife and user can get to around 100 mixed species bleeding and guts out

 

[Mungo]

Actually its very easy to teach , it doesn't need lots of practice just a small amount of initial instruction . A thing that catches most out is " gadget obsession " it takes only a flat abrasive and mostly the right sort of fluid for the stone you have and proper grit progression ( except diamond stones I should these really do need to stay dry ) first time i had use of one i oiled it with kerosene a big mistake but it was the first time with a new tool . Remote teaching of motor skills is pretty tough to do though unfortunately.
will put up my video when i get my head around the how to post it , tech is not my thing

I think you under-estimate how hard it is to learn! Having spent many, many hours at it, with instruction from people who know what they’re doing, I can confirm that it is not an easy thing to perfect, and, like all fine motor skills, needs practice to retain.

 

[Bowland blades]

I think you under-estimate how hard it is to learn! Having spent many, many hours at it, with instruction from people who know what they’re doing, I can confirm that it is not an easy thing to perfect, and, like all fine motor skills, needs practice to retain.

I hear what your saying but although you might well feel its about fine motor skills, its really not the case . What most struggle with is the Burr , they dont pay it any real attention. Before a knife gets sharper it gets blunter , when you have a really good burr most folks instead of striking the burr off and having a sharp knife ( super sharp after stropping even) they feel the edge with burr attached find it dull and then - They totally change tactics never to know how close to finished it was .
If you can wet shave with a safety razor without cutting yourself
you have motors skills enough, seriously
BTW some of the poorer factory knives are not able to raise a burr of any worth , low grade steel , terrible heat treatment

 

[tomgsp]

F-dick is the best in my opinion

 

[Erik Hamburger]

Since I’m not very proficient at sharpening knives and seem to destroy diamond sharpening tools. What are peoples opinions for an easy to use sharpener? Looking at a Work Sharp electric belt fed. U


I use an Any Sharp at home for kitchen knives but probably due to user error I don’t get a great finish, it sharpens but a bit jagged.

The best system is still the old-fashioned way: Sandpaper and a leather strop.
I once did a woodland course 'tool sharpening' and to my surprise the very vast majority of sharpening was done on sandpaper that was glued to blocks of wood. 'Wet & Dry' paper is good, Hermes abrasive film with a sticky backing is even better. (Available from Axminster Tools) Get three grades, and work the knives for 8-10 strokes on each side moving from course to medium to fine paper (I use grit 600, 1200, and 2500). Finish with a leather strop.