Your EDC, part II

I send mine out to Forrest :>/

I have a stone at my shop. different grits on each side. Not sure what grits, but I stroke into the stone holding the blade about a 15 degree angle.

I have a couple of gadgets but the one that
gets the blades sharpest fastest is called
an Accusharp.

Tormek

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.

Seams like everyone has their go to method. I started back in the early 70s with my LB7. Needed sharpening in the field and I used one of these.

6” fine file. I use a light touch and keep my knives razor sharp with a slight roughness to the edge. Makes for slicing rope or tubing easier that a smooth edge. OK to laugh at me now. ;-)

In the past just a series of Arkansas stones and then leather strop and diamond or water stones at times.

I find a charged strop really makes a difference in maintaining my knife. Have several laying around (desk at work, computer desk at home, and workshop) so easy to take a few seconds and take a few passes when talking to a client on the phone, watching a training video, etc…

I use the DMT diamond ‘stones’. A little water & time & you get a razor out.

M

-- The hump with the stump and the pump!

Used to be a “Landsky” machine was THE thing to have…..think non-powered Tormec.

As for me…..same stuff I use on the other sharp objects in the shop…

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

Black Arkansas stone.

Used to be a “Landsky” machine was THE thing to have…..think non-powered Tormec.

As for me…..same stuff I use on the other sharp objects in the shop…

- bandit571

Lansky is the best for 2 to maybe 6 inch blades. Beyond that, you have to reset the knife to keep the angle and it’s a pain. Be sure to get the diamond.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

Spyderco sharpmaker

-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/

And it is sharpened by benchmade for free for life. http://www.benchmade.com/warranty-service

Find a knife maker that can reprofile your edge to a convex bevel, then maintain it with a strop.

Mine has been going strong for four years of EDC use (mostly cutting tape, plastic straps, food and some light wood scraping/carving) with minimal stropping, not more than three times.

It’s a Spyderco with a S30V blade so pretty good edge holding but nothing special.

Heavier use would require more maintenance. Better steel would reduce that.

Since I don’t do much heavy chopping, cutting abrasive materials or prying with my EDC, I like to go for a stainless steel with pretty high hardness. S35VN would be even better for me but that makes for a much more expensive knife.

And it is sharpened by benchmade for free for life. http://www.benchmade.com/warranty-service

- Iamjacob

Jacob, sounds like a pretty good deal, but you actually ship your knife back to the manufacturer every time it needs sharpening?

In 20 years use of the Schrade LB7s I had 3 of them. One I stuck in the wrong place and besides getting my knife snapped in half, the corner of the bucket hit me in the temple. 30+ years later and the scar is still there. Another LB7 was stolen when I looked away at the wrong time. I still have that sheath to that one. The 3rd has been retired to my collection. Sharpening with a file never had any adverse affect on them. 20 years carrying the leathermans I only had 2. The first one at about 8 years old fell off of a crane while I was working on it. By the time I got down and went to pick it up, it was gone. I guess the fall didn’t hurt it too much. The second is now retired like the LB7. I tried several different knives but never grew an attachment to any until I got the Opinel. It just fits my hand so perfectly and I have only sharpened it twice since having it. The first time right after I got it. the next was about 8 months later when I had no choice but to cut some steel wire with it one day. The edge I put on them with a small file really is razor sharp and just enough tooth to bite into things when needed. I don’t think most of your Razor sharp, stropped smooth edges could cut that wire if needed.