Sharpening Round Knife

[billymac814]

I use the slack belt method, its far easier than other methods I've tried and didn't really cost that much for the whole setup, probably around 80 bucks including the 1" belt sander. It makes a convex edge which works well on round knives. This is the method Bruce Johnson uses and I'm sure anyone that has bought a knife from him can tell you it makes a seriously sharp edge. Maybe he will be by to post the link to everything you need.

After its sharp I just use the leather belt with some compound on it in the belt sander or on my toemek to keep the edge polished.

[lwm803]

Good equipment is never a bad thing. However extremely sharp edges have existed far longer than manufactured sharpening stones, diamond hones and sanding belts. As an example I have found that the anti-static mat on my workbench in the garage is very effective as an abrasive strop preceding a final stropping on my boot top. Once you get the hang of it, you can sharpen an edge on just about anything abrasive. Quality of the stone has much less to do with it than the skill of the user. Don't get me wrong, quality sharpening equipment makes it quicker and easier to achieve the desired result for anyone, but they will not make up for bad technique.

I generally use natural Arkansas stones, jeweler's rouge, and a leather strop for most of my sharpening. Sometimes wet or dry sanding sheets on my surface plate is useful, especially when a larger than normal stone would be better. The same sanding sheets on an old mouse pad will help you get that much touted and little understood convex edge, but only if done skillfully. I never use power tools on any of my knives unless my intention is to modify the geometry/shape of the blade. This is just my opinion, based on my own experience.

[Cyberthrasher]

Very true that experience is the number one necessity. But, with all the new technology out there, we might as well use it. I look at it like this. I can spend a bunch of time using all the traditional methods, or I can spend a little money on the diamond steel and therefore spend a lot less time sharpening and more time working. That, and the diamond steel is so much cleaner to use.

[Colt Hammerless]

AODfan, how are you liking that knife so far? Have you got it sharpened up yet? I'm going to start using my belt sander to sharpen my round/head knives, and was thinking of picking up one of the Abetta knives off of Ebay ($9 plus free shipping) to practice on before using it to sharpen the Osbornes, Harringtons, and Gomphs. After reading the reviews on Amazon, I'm wondering if I might actually have a fairly usable knife when I'm done practicing on it.

Paul

[St8LineGunsmith]

that albetta round knife didnt come very sharp but i now have it cutting thick leather like butter

I used 150 and 300 grit sticky back sand paper stuck to the edge of my granite slab to hone down the edge

then I used some 500 and 800 grit wet sanding paper on top of my granite slab sprayed down with soapy water

to hone and polish the edge then I stroped the blade on a piece of heavy tooling leather and white rouge for that super scary sharp edge.

these Albetta round knifes hold a sharper edge better than my osborne skiving knife.

[Colt Hammerless]

That's very interesting St8LineGunsmith. I'll definitely snag one, and give it a whirl.

Paul

[St8LineGunsmith]

Colt

for ten bucks shipped you cant beat it I am very pleased with the one I have.

[Colt Hammerless]

Just ordered it yesterday. Very interested to see how it works. It said June 14th at the earliest for delivery. Hope they're just padding the delivery time. I have my sharpening belts on the way, and would like to try them on this before using them on my antique knives.

Paul

[TomG]

I got one off of Amazon also. Pretty rough edge, but it does cut. I tried doing some stroppingon it that helped but a strop isn't going to get the rough out of it in any reasonable amount of time.

I picked up a 4-pack of fine W/D sandpaper at the auto parts store today. I started with a couple of strokes on the 220, but it was really too coarse, I think. Switched to the 400 for a few dozen strokes, then to the 800 and finally the 1000. Out store has this up to 2000 grit.

I probably should have wet it, but did this one dry. I'm not very experienced with sharpening this way and to this degree of sharpness. I don't know if using it wet will make it last longer or what the differences are. Anyone know?

But I finished up with the strop. Cuts pretty well, but I'd like it a tad sharper. It goes about 3/4 of the way through a piece of 12oz veg-tan pretty easily, on the first stroke.

For under $10, definitely worth a try.

[St8LineGunsmith]

the wet sanding hones and polishes the edge better than honing dry and keeps the metal from sticking to the paper.

just keep working the blade between the 800 and 1000grit then polish it off with the strop before using it and after you will eventually get it super sharp round knife that will son be slicing through leather like it was warm butter... Mine does anyway.