Sharpening

[longtooth1313]

Having a problem with sharpening my straight edge knives. I've used the paper wheels, oiled sand paper, different grits of paper from coarse to fine and can't get the knives sharp enough to cut used thread. I also, have tried using wet and dry stones. My head knife I can get sharp but these straight edge knives have me baffled. The handles on them are green wood and they come from leather suppliers. I wonder if the steel they use is inferior and that's the reason I can't get them sharp???

Edited August 30, 2010 by longtooth1313

[terrahyd]

I use white rouge on a buss' card strobe till the edges are polished sharp as hell ... Doc ..

[longtooth1313]

I use white rouge on a buss' card strobe till the edges are polished sharp as hell ... Doc ..

Thank you for the response. Do not know what a buss' card strobe is ? Please explain. Thank you.

[dirtclod]

Their are all kinds of things on you tube if you type in knife sharping.

Edited August 30, 2010 by dirtclod

[Ferg]

Having a problem with sharpening my straight edge knives. I've used the paper wheels, oiled sand paper, different grits of paper from coarse to fine and can't get the knives sharp enough to cut used thread. I also, have tried using wet and dry stones. My head knife I can get sharp but these straight edge knives have me baffled. The handles on them are green wood and they come from leather suppliers. I wonder if the steel they use is inferior and that's the reason I can't get them sharp???

I am guessing here so......

I believe you may need to grind the edge into it's original shape. If you do not have a set-up for a grinder that you can do this, please take it to a sharpening shop and tell them exactly what you want.

When that is done use a strop every time you are going to cut some leather/"used thread."

ferg

[steveh]

The hyde green handled shoe knives are generally good steel, but is possible that you have one that is not tempered right, you can overheat them on a wheel and lose the temper as well. but since you can sharpen up your round knife, most likely not the case. I believe the above post ,means a bussiness card rubbed with rouge as strop.works good with small blades like swivle knife. I like a horse hide strop loaded with rouge for larger knives.

steve

[TexasJack]

What can happen is that you get a 'wire edge' at the edge. The metal kinda stretches out into a thin layer that sticks out from the edge. When you try to use the blade, that thin layer just folds over and it seems like the blade is dull.

A couple of things you can do. First sharpen TOWARDS the edge, not away from it. Go slow. There is nothing to be gained by sharpening fast. When you finish up on your finest grit (or ceramic), lighten up on the final few strokes. Then use a piece of leather to strop off any wire edge. You can also use a buffer, but be very, very careful it doesn't fling the blade somewhere you don't want it to go.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

To second what TJ said. When using a stone the motion is like trying to slice a layer off of it, not dragging it across backwards.

I do my sharpening by hand.

If the blade has turned colors of the rainbow it has been overheated, and lost the temper in that section of the blade.

If the motion is correct, along with the angle, it may be that you just have a crappy knife. Are there any markings as to maker, or country of origin? If it says China, India, or Pakistan toss it, unless you need a small putty knife, scraper, etc.

[longtooth1313]

To second what TJ said. When using a stone the motion is like trying to slice a layer off of it, not dragging it across backwards.

I do my sharpening by hand.

If the blade has turned colors of the rainbow it has been overheated, and lost the temper in that section of the blade.

If the motion is correct, along with the angle, it may be that you just have a crappy knife. Are there any markings as to maker, or country of origin? If it says China, India, or Pakistan toss it, unless you need a small putty knife, scraper, etc.

Thanks to all for the advise. Going to try all suggestions and find the one that works for me. Hyde is the name on the handle

[Dwight]

Thanks to all for the advise. Going to try all suggestions and find the one that works for me. Hyde is the name on the handle

Let me add just one more suggestion, . . . I have found one of the best materials for making a really good knife strop is the grey, thick cardboard that is often on the backs of tablets, and sometimes is used in shipping containers for separators of different products. It is kind of porous, . . . will load up well with rouge, . . . and will sharpen a knife to a razor's edge super quick.

I was taught this trick in a Tandy shop, . . . the teacher used it to keep his swivel knife blade sharp. Ummm, . . . yeah, . . . I use it for that too.

May God bless,

Dwight