[Dennis Taylor]

I got a pair of Barton knives from an ebay auction..now, I need to sharpen them, they don't look used much at all, there is a small bevel, probably the 10 degree's I hear so much about, my questions is should I just strop it on the leather with alumimim(sp) oxide, that is what I clean my woodburning tips with?...tks for info..Dennis

[MelNM]

The aluminum oxiide should work if they have some what of an edge, if not you'll have to hone them on a wetstone to get the edge and then strop them. personally I like the ceramic stones if you can find them, they are great to sharpen your knives with.
Mel

How and the heck do you spell aluniumum mum

[Dennis Taylor]

I would like to think Santa will bring me a ceremaic stone, one 800 grit and the other 8000 for the sharpening, but I am going to put my Barton knives under a mag light, and see, I had also heard that you can sharpen them flat on the stone, with no 10 Degree angle, does anyone do that?...Dennis

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

flat is the way I sharpen all my knives including my chip knife.....I do like to leave one heavy bladed knife for hardwood, which I rarely carve, but just in case....I have used hardwood for the handles of other knives

[MelNM]

mines around 10 degrees, I guess its whatever is best for you, like you I'm a beginner as far as chip carving. I'm having fun with it I did a little nativity scene today, I think they call it freestyle chip carving.

[Dennis Taylor]

I figure to sharpen the blade flat, it would only be a matter of laying it flat on a stone (800grit) and then running it back and forth, front to back, until the small bevel disappears on the edge?...Several people say that they sharpen all carving knives flat, chip or otherwise...any instructions on the sharpening is appreciated....Dennis

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't run the blade back and forth, I draw the blade away from the edge, then flip the knife and do the other side, trying to keep even strokes for each side. The main thing is to lift the knife, not "roll" it when you get to the end of your stroke, rolling the knife can roundover the edge.

[Heine]

hello, and a Merry Christmas to all on the list!!,

I have both of the ceramic stones Wayne sells, and they work well. It takes forever to get the knife sharp with the black ceramic stone, however. If you are an experienced sharpener, shaping the balde on a 400 grit diamond stone will work much quicker. Then go to a 1200 grit stone, and finish on the white ceramic stone. If I were to buy just one of the ceramic stones, it would be the white one. I even saw Wayne using a DMT Dup-Sharp on one of his own knives.

To keep my chip carving knives honed, I buy the .05 micron micro abrasive sheets, glue it to a piece of poplar or ash, and strop the knife on this strop. It puts an incredible polish on the knife, and helps it glide accross the grain more easily.

Thanks,
Dan heine