Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Nigel — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 04:33:45 -0000

Nice post, the only question that spring to mind for me is, do pocket knives need to be sharpened at a particular angle?

With most kitchen knives, they need to be sharpened at a 20 Degree to be truly sharp.

Cheers

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Ben — Tue, 27 May 2014 04:55:07 -0000

Really helpful guide, thank you!

There are hundreds of professional knife sharpeners out there who will do a great job for you, but at $30+ per knife it just isn't affordable to be going to them every month.Learning how to sharpen (even at just a basic level) will help!

I think Chef's Choice are a good brand of sharpener, but I suppose it depends on what kind of sharpener (stone, file, electric) you're after.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Will — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:35:24 -0000

Very Nice Guide! I tried to sharpen one of our bread knives. It is serrated and I used the instructions here for that.
http://www.creamofbmx.com/h...

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

KP — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 21:56:06 -0000

So I'm a girl....but this website helped me alot. I got a pocket knife from my dad recently and a (male) friend of mine told me "It's your tool If you take care of it, it'll take care of you." so I went and bought a plain old stone from atwoods to sharpen it. Problem was, I wasn't sure how to use it. This site was probably the clearest and most succinct one I've found on the subject. Thanks guys. Stay manly, girls like it no matter what they say. ;)

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

james hitchins — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 05:13:27 -0000

Hey guys, I am by no means an expert sharpener but all of my knives shave. Here's what i do. I have a stone now but I never used to so I sharpen on silicon carbide sand paper ( wet and dry) I use 600 grit. With this you can tell wether the angle that you're hitting is tight by listening to it, if you; re too steep then it sounds raspy but if you;re right it sounds smooth. I do this on both sides and then use an old piece of leather that I stapled to a block of hard wood to strop the edge to its final degree. by stapling the sand paper down it stays tight and is easy to use. If you carry your knife in a pouch then you can fold the paper up and carry it with you. Plus if you wear a leather belt then you can use the uderside as a strop so you have a completely mobile sharpening station. Best of all sand paper comes in hundreds of different grits and cost 2$ Aus. and one sheet lasts for about 92 seperate hones ( less if you really dig into it) good luck with you're endeavors

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

David U. — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:26:30 -0000

There is a lot of really good info on here! I do not have any thing really technical to add just something I use which has served me well. The 'Smiths' pocket pal works very well! It has a carbide sharpener a ceramic sharpener and a diamond encrusted rod for among other things sharpening the serrations. It is very handy and compact! It fits in just about any pocket and gets the job done!

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

MATT EHRENBERG — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 17:20:44 -0000

I HAVE SHARPENED KNIVES SINCE 1997 WHEN I WAS FIFTEEN YEAR OLD . MY NEIGHBOR GAVE ME ALL THE OLD ANTIQUE SHARPENING STONES THAT CAME FROM THE FARM HE GREW UP ON THE STONES I HAVE DATE FROM 1900 - 1930'S OLD STRAIGHT RAZOR HONES GERMAN MADE. THE BELONGED TO HIS DAD AND HIS GRANDPA. THESE ARE THE ONLY STONES I USE ON MY BUCK HUNTING KNIVES AND MY BUCK 112 RANGER THAT IS MY EVERYDAY CARRY KNIFE IT IS A NEW 2013 MODEL ITS THE SMALLER VERSION OF THE 110. BEFORE THAT I CARRIED MY BUCK 309 COMPANION THAT I GOT IN 2000 AS A HIGH SCHOOL GRAD GIFT CARRIED IT TILL JAN 2013 WHEN I ORDERED A BRAND NEW 110 THAT I CARRED FROM THAT TIME TILL FEB 2014 WHEN I BOUGHT THE BUCK 112 RANGER NOW THE 112 IS MY EVERY DAY KNIFE. THESE OLD STONES GET MY KNIFE RAZOR SHARP TO WHERE I CAN CUT HAIR OFF MY ARM . THE BUCK 420 HC STEEL IS SO EASY TO SHARPEN AND HOLDS A EDGE FOR A LONG TIME DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU ARE CUTTING CARDBOARD BOXES ROPE ETC. I EVEN USE MY 112 AS A KITCHEN KNIFE ON A CUTTING BOARD WHEN COOKING MY LUNCH OR DINNER I HAVE ALL BUCK KNIVES AND CARRY DIFFERANT ONES HUNTING ROTATE THEM AROUND DURING HUNTING SEASON BUT THAT IS THE ONLY TIME OTHER THAN THAT THE BUCK 112 RANGER IS ON MY BELT EVERYDAY. I HAVE A 1974 110 WITH 440 C STEEL AS WELL AND HAVE NO TROUBLE GETTING IT SHARP EITHER. GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE LEARNING HOW TO SHARPEN. MY ADVISE IS TO START OUT WITH A CHEAP KNIFE BEFORE TRYING TO USE A GOOD ONE.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Jason — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 15:18:01 -0000

If you're interested in investing a bit of money, there are some terrific knife sharpening systems out there. One from Edge Pro in particular is great in that it uses sharpening stones, but allows you to control the angle at all times. A great tool for those just getting started with stones. Probably a bit much for just a pocket knife, but if you've got a kitchen full of knives it's definitely worth the price.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

James — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:38:36 -0000

This is a very useful skill to have. If you want your pocket knife to be both safe and usable, you need to know how to sharpen it.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Grant — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 03:36:13 -0000

I recently decided to start shaving with a straight razor again, but with the added fun of wanting to be able to sharpen my razors myself. I have always been capable of getting knives to cut arm hair but the added step of moving to the face eluded me. Then I found the videos from carter cutlery on youtube. I now have no trouble getting all of my knives wicked sharp when needed.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Michael — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 01:57:54 -0000

I've found Edge Pro's hand sharpening systems to work pretty well. They take a bit longer to setup and learn how to use but in the end they produce a more consistent edge.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Chris — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 16:21:41 -0000

@ Brett C. I understand that this article may not be the best but would you mind specifying what makes it so bad? I am curious, not trying to start an argument.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

M.T. — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 06:12:40 -0000

A small comment on oil: Only use it with a stone you plan to use it with always. Once the porous whetting stone has soaked in oil, it will not accept water. A good point to remember if you're planning to carry that whetstone with you.
My personal choice is to spit on the stone, as spit is more viscose than water and stays on the stone longer forming a honing paste.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Tim — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 05:04:41 -0000

Don't use oil.
Get a Japanese Waterstone (say 1000/3000 combo stone) and use WATER. oil clogs the "pores" in the stone and hampers it's ability to cut the metal, and if you aren't removing minute pieces of metal, you aren't sharpening it, you are just folding over the metal edge.

Invest in a decent stone stone (or two, or more), take care of it, and learn how to use it, and you can keep your knives as sharp as razors. Don't apply pressure, allow the blade to slide evenly across the lubricated stone, and it will do it's thing.

Tim

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Scott — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 16:36:26 -0000

Thank you for the great information....I have a few pocket knives that could really use an edge. Keep up the good work!

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Jed — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 04:47:56 -0000

The bottom of a ceramic coffee-mug works okay with small-bladed knives. Smooth-sweep with a 15-20 degree angle.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Jiri — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 21:43:41 -0000

A piece of sandpaper on a good backing (glass for flat grinds, mouse pad for convex) can work well. I like the possibility to progress through finer and finer grits.

However, I stick to stones (water stones, freehand), then a little stropping on the backside of my leather belt. As I used to shave with a straight razor (that was before I broke my wrist and grew a beard) I managed to get a decent shave with my #9 carbon steel Opinel.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Peter — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:06:02 -0000

Personally I've found a simple sandpaper taped onto the back of a flat surface, like a file, is cheap and will do the trick. Buy a couple of different grits, try them out and choose the ones that work best.

A very cheap and effective way to sharpen a pocket knife.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Paul barajas — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:29:10 -0000

Can I do this if I have a 8" blade?

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

john — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 08:41:40 -0000

I was just reading that for a pocket knife you want 20-30 degrees. Kitchen knives are 15-20 degrees.
I picked up a sharpening kit from walmart for $20 that holds the knife in a vise and holds the stones at 20 or 25 degrees. I had 3 small chips in my s30v steel from throwing it into the lawn I guess it hit small rocks. Anyway the corse stone took out the chips and the smooth arkansa stone brought out the razor edge. It slices paper without hanging or tearing it, and I can cut curves. I licked my forearm and was able to shave some hairs off without to much effort.
If your knife it dull its dangerous!
My knife is a ZT0350TS

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Valerie — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 01:51:52 -0000

I may not carry a pocket knife in my pocket but it is ALWAYS in my purse:).

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

mugwumps — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 00:34:24 -0000

I don't know anything that will get a knife sharper than a good ceramic rod. With a rod, you have no trouble with missing part of a curved blade. I'm also a fan of good carbon steel.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Ollie Adams — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:59:49 -0000

Any different tips for lefties? Thanks in advance for your response. My sons and I really enjoy this site. It is among the best all around on the web.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Daniel — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 12:45:38 -0000

Thank you for this extremely detailed guide. Sharpening your knife is one of those things that every man needs to know how to do, despite the prevalence of the electrical knife sharpeners in today's market.

Re: How To Sharpen a Pocket Knife

R.A. Clark — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 00:51:11 -0000

I bought a yellow handle Case when in the 5th grade with cotton-chopping money. Took it to school, of course. Got caught showing it off to my buddies. Teacher took it away. Almost forty years later, I guess she thought I'd grown up enough, and was I surprised when one of her Sunday School students handed me that knife and said " MS. Stewart said I need to bring this to you." She was one of those special people. Coached me (AND my Dad) in Texas six-man football in our small country school !