Sharpening?

[Ron Davidson]

Does anyone have a simple solution for me on sharpening my knives. I am thinking I would be better off with stones. As a safety view I don't think I need to run to many power tools. Which would be the best type of stones and are there any guides available. Thanks Ron

[wade clark]

Ron,
Stropping is the real key, I believe. If the blade was sharp when you got it, you should be able to maintain its' edge just stropping...a good leather strop, some stropping compound, and a bit of time on a regular basis, trying to duplicate the original angles.
A lot of Folks here, my self included, consider Rick from Little Shavers to be the "Guru" of sharpening. I hope he'll see the post and fill us in.
It's kind of a journey (sharpening) and every carver finds their own way. There are lots of sharpening "systems" out there, some simple, many expensive. It's easy to spend alot without learning to sharpen a thing! I've got too much sharpening gear and still send some of my tools to Rick to straiten out my botched sharpening.
Good luck!
Wade

[Ron Davidson]

Wade I have been using a good strop. The problem is when I get a chiped blade.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You might like the scary sharp method, using different grits of sandpaper, you would know what grit you were using by the feel...I still use it for touch up and use 400,800, 1200 and 2000 grit...some start with a coarser grit but I haven't needed it. The problem is finding 2000 grit...I got this from "Superabrasives"...at least I think that was the name...I lost everything in my computer awhile back and lost a lot of good sites and info

[MelNM]

Personally to get the initial edge on knives, I like using ceramic stones, then the leather strop. I also have a sharpener I purchased from Chipping away now which does a good job, the only problem is you have to make sure your tools don't get too hot.

Sharpening like everything else seems to have more than one way to do it, you just have to find the one that works for you.

[Just Carving]

Dave

I get my 2000 grit paper at the local auto parts store. They had everything up to 4000 grit. I bought one of each up to 2000 grit so I'd have it on hand. And of course, it's coming in handy.

Bob

[wade clark]

Ron,
I'm reluctant to say what system I use, because it's so expensive and I'll bet several others here are getting as good or better results with sandpaper...what could be cheaper! I have the Tormek system. It turns at 90 water-cooled rpm; you can't burn an edge at that speed. I love the Tormek; it has an incredible leather set of stropping wheels and they take no time to strop! What would take me 10 minutes on a leather hand strop takes 20 or 30 seconds.
I badly chipped a v-tool a while ago. The water stone made it look great, but something between my ears wasn't getting it right. I finally sent it to Rick and he fixed it, and for so little, I couldn't help but wonder why I spent so much on a sharpening system! But I am glad I have it and I really do love the power stropping. I work for a living and carve for fun and relaxation. The Tormek means I carve more and sharpen less.
If time isn't a premium, I'd recommend the sandpaper!
Wade

[Colin-Partridge]

Ron,
I cheat although I have numerous sharpening systems I have a hard job mastering the art. I now send all my tools to Rick at little shavers when you want it done right you go to the best.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Liferescue

Dave

I get my 2000 grit paper at the local auto parts store. They had everything up to 4000 grit. I bought one of each up to 2000 grit so I'd have it on hand. And of course, it's coming in handy.

Bob

OK thats good to know, will check locally...lost the name and addy of the one I bought from, altho it maybe in the package of sandpaper...but Thanks...Dave

[wade clark]

Ron,
Answering the other question, GUIDES: Woodcraft Supply carries two guides I like, for gouges and chisels. The OAR SHARPENER is $29.95 for gouges. They have a HONING GUIDE for $9.95 for chisels. I haven't used either since I got the Tormek, but they'd work great with a stone or sandpaper! Other blades there are probably guides for, but I don't know about them.
Good luck!
Wade