Rolling knife sharpener - are they any good?

[Perksy]

I bought a cheap one on eBay. Works ok but don’t get anything razor sharp. It also struggles with smaller knives as the block is bigger than the blade. Think I’ll invest in a work sharp precision. They seem to get great reviews and are easy to use

 

[Cheviot]

I bought a cheap one on eBay. Works ok but don’t get anything razor sharp. It also struggles with smaller knives as the block is bigger than the blade. Think I’ll invest in a work sharp precision. They seem to get great reviews and are easy to use

Work-Sharp Benchtop Precision Adjustable Knife Sharpener - Monarch Country Products

Work-Sharp Benchtop Precision Adjustable Knife Sharpener The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener™ is an angle adjustable, three abrasive […]

www.monarchcountryproducts.co.uk

 

[Perksy]

Work-Sharp Benchtop Precision Adjustable Knife Sharpener - Monarch Country Products

Work-Sharp Benchtop Precision Adjustable Knife Sharpener The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener™ is an angle adjustable, three abrasive […]

www.monarchcountryproducts.co.uk

That’s the one

 

[Jagged77]

I’ve seen a lot of ads for these rolling sharpeners but have remained on the sceptical side. Interesting to hear of real life experiences.

I use a couple of sharpening methods, but for quick, simple and easy nothing beats the Spyderco Sharpmaker. More than capable of getting blades shaving sharp very easily.

 

[Tyla]

Well ........ the sharpal arrived. It looks good quality and I sourced a strop as per the video.

But ...... I'm absolutely useless at it lol.

Watched the YouTube video and feel like I'm doing exactly the same thing but whereas his knife slices paper within a minute mine is still like a spoon half hour later.

Any tips?

 

[sich1]

search some more of his videos, you are doing something wrong. my guess would be not keeping the angle as its the hardest part.
are you using the 325 grit side ? dont press too hard !
make sure you are not lifting the blade at the end of the stroke, its easily done, result is a turned over edge.
can you feel a burr on the edge of the blade?

 

[Tyla]

search some more of his videos, you are doing something wrong. my guess would be not keeping the angle as its the hardest part.
are you using the 325 grit side ? dont press too hard !
make sure you are not lifting the blade at the end of the stroke, its easily done, result is a turned over edge.
can you feel a burr on the edge of the blade?

I think it's definitely my technique, probably the angle. I did finally get a couple of kitchen knifes slicing paper but not shaving sharp.

I was using the 325 side, using his rule of thumb, locking wrist and trying to maintain the angle. Will try another knife tomorrow and see if I cam improve the result using a better quality knife

 

[Jagged77]

I think it's definitely my technique, probably the angle. I did finally get a couple of kitchen knifes slicing paper but not shaving sharp.

I was using the 325 side, using his rule of thumb, locking wrist and trying to maintain the angle. Will try another knife tomorrow and see if I cam improve the result using a better quality knife

Check for a burr using your thumbnail, even a fine one can be detected. Any burr is a major detriment to producing a good edge. Once the angle is in place you need light strokes or a slightly more acute angle coupled with very light strokes to take it off.

 

[sich1]

once you have it sharp from the 325 side with as little burr as you can manage, repeat the process with maybe only 10 passes per side ( 5 /3/2 passes altenately on each side) and then minimize the burr again on the 1200 side and the sharpness will improve. good luck..

 

[.25-06]

I think it's definitely my technique, probably the angle. I did finally get a couple of kitchen knifes slicing paper but not shaving sharp.

I was using the 325 side, using his rule of thumb, locking wrist and trying to maintain the angle. Will try another knife tomorrow and see if I cam improve the result using a better quality knife

I'd advise against practice on an expensive knife just yet.

Keep practicing on the 325, you will be able to put a paper cutting edge on anything. A better quality knife will retain the edge longer but only if you can put one on it to start with. That will take a little frustration until mastered.

After you've crafted all the junk mail into shredded paper you may find a box of grapes can be useful to find any spots on the blade that are not as sharp as they should be. Following the steps in his videos should all that is required.

 

[Tyla]

I'd advise against practice on an expensive knife just yet.

Keep practicing on the 325, you will be able to put a paper cutting edge on anything. A better quality knife will retain the edge longer but only if you can put one on it to start with. That will take a little frustration until mastered.

After you've crafted all the junk mail into shredded paper you may find a box of grapes can be useful to find any spots on the blade that are not as sharp as they should be. Following the steps in his videos should all that is required.

Thank you. I am definitely getting better. All the kitchen knives are now pretty good and im working my way through the knives from the larder. Won't be touching anything really good for a while though

 

[sauer]

Limited in not being able to do small bladed knives / length ?