Shapening trouble.

[mediamst]

I got my first carving knife today but it didn't come pre-sharpened. I have and Arkansas stone and mineral spirits and a strop with compound. I cant see to get it sharp enough to carve well. I am running it back and forth on the stone at a 30 degree angle. I have done this for about 10 minutes on and off and it never seems to get sharp enough.

Can anyone offer some insight, links to videos or other information on how to do this?

Thanks!!!

[Mark N. Akers]

Mediamst:
I think for a carving Knife you need a shallower angle,try about 5-7 Deg. What type of knife didn't come sharpened?

[Donna_T]

Hello,
I have always had a problem sharpening and degree of angle is somewhat confusing. However, an oldtimer told me to lay my knife blade down flat on the sharpening stone, then angle it up enough that you can slip the edge of a dime under the back side...that's the right angle. With a brand new knife, that usually has a very steep angle, it takes quite some time to bevel it out like it needs to be for carving. 10-15 minutes isn't unusual. Then the same thing applies to the strop. This time, keep it very flat. and before you get to the end of the strop, stop and pick the knife up--otherwise you'll roll the sharp edge you've worked so hard to get.
Donna T

[mediamst]

It is a Butz. The guy at Woodcraft said it comes with a very dull blade and needs to be sharpened as it was not pre-honed.

I will try these suggestions! Thanks!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I bought one at Woodcraft also, if I were you I would return it and give these folks a call Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply . They have good knives at good prices, they come fast and sharp, free lifetime sharpening. Also lots of good info on website including sharpening info.

Dave

[JimSawyer]

An absolutely fantastic DVD on sharpening is, "Sharpening Simplified", by Everett Ellenwood.
The wesite is ellenwood arts | woodcarver - provides wood carving instruction, examples, and carving tools.
It provides answers to every question you asked and then some. I've never looked at sharpening the same since I got it.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Here's where I got my sharpening start...

Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Supply Sharpening Page

[Butch_Speer]

Mediamst,
What type of Arkansas are you using? Most people start out with a finish stone, like a hard Arkansas. This stone is meant to finish an edge, not to start an edge. It takes off very, very small amounts of metal from your blade. The longer you work on your stone, the more chances you have to make mistakes & change the angle back & forth creating a rounded rather than a flat bevel. Start with a softer Arkansas. A soft Arkansas is good but, a Washita is even better. Start with the softer stone till it's very sharp. Move to the hard stone, then finish with the strop loaded up with a good buffing compoud. I use Yellowstone but, there are a lot of good ones out there. Hope this helps.

[Joggernot]

I used Rick at Little Shavers. Once it is done right, some honing is all it needs to stay sharp for quite a while.

Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply

Joggernot

[MackTheKnife]

I have a couple of Butz knives. They don't come sharp (I guess Rick is worried about liability), but they have excellent, hard steel. Hard steel means they hold an edge a long time, but it also means they take a long time to sharpen. I've abandoned natural stones for sharpening altogether and gone to diamond hones. Don't have to use that messy oil. They also cut the steel much faster. In fact you have to be careful, even the fine hones remove steel faster than you would think. Get the ones without the little holes. Sharpening isn't rocket science, but it does take practice.

Bob