Ceramic Blades

[Doc Reaper]

I recently picked up two ceramic swivel knife blades from Tandy, both blades are horribly dull! I'd get a better cut with cinder block! Even though I know that most tools coming from Tandy need sharpening before use, I trusted the manager when he said "they are sharp and ready to use",

Is there a way to sharpen ceramic blades or did I waste money? I have been carving since I was 12 years old and have no problem with metal blades. So what gives?

[mlapaglia]

Strop the blade. Thats all mine needed. There is a lot of controversy regarding cermamic and stropping. Wither it fix's the edge or just cleans all the carp off the blade doesn't matter, It does help them cut better.

Give it a try. If that doesnt help take it back and have the guy test them on some leather there. It's possible you got a couple of bad ones but Im betting on the strop to fix it.

[shtoink]

I recently picked up two ceramic swivel knife blades from Tandy, both blades are horribly dull! I'd get a better cut with cinder block! Even though I know that most tools coming from Tandy need sharpening before use, I trusted the manager when he said "they are sharp and ready to use",

Is there a way to sharpen ceramic blades or did I waste money? I have been carving since I was 12 years old and have no problem with metal blades. So what gives?

I, too, was very confused on this very topic. I looked all around in here and all sorts of other forums with no concrete or usable results, I was left with nothing more than rumors and more questions. Tired of all the controversy and confusion on the subject, I decided to purchase a Tandy ceramic blade for the express purpose of testing out this exact thing. I took pictures and outlined the results of my findings here. I also did my best to find a method to rectify the rough surface condition of the blades with cheap and easily obtainable materials. I hope you find the information there helpful.

[King's X]

Ceramic blades are good blades if they are kept sharp and straight. I stressed these points keeping them straight can be somewhat difficult. i still own my two original ceramic blades though I gave up trying to keep them straight which affects its ability to cut accurately. I can tell you that I have "carefully" sharpened my ceramic blades though contrary to popular belief some say it cannot be done. If you really want to use them, but do not know how to sharpen them.......message me and I will provide you an address to send them to me and I will do for you at no cost.

Good luck!

[Across Leather]

Literally I've wet sanded my ceramics several times starting with 220 working up to 1200 all wet. strop and can say, they've never been so sharp ever. Glide like Big Daddy Don Garlits thru the trap.