Agreed. The ONLY thing even close (from the factory) was an overpriced (quality knife but pricey for me) early production Ek bowie.

It's too bad knife manufacturers (as a whole) don't put that kind of attention to detail into thier finished product(s) as I'm sure they would receive repeat business from consumers.

In all fairness, I recently handled a Bark River (Teddy model, IIIRC) that was pretty darned close to HD's work.

I can only surmise that Bark River sends their knives to Horn Dog before shipping them out.

Ha! All my Bark Rivers came scary sharp from the factory. The old CS Trailmasters used to come that way, too.

Bark River and Spyderco are two companies I know of that have consistently provided Very sharp worthy edges.

Aside from them, I have had mixed results from a few other companies.

I have received a few very good edges from Kershaw and Benchmade, but at random and not nearly as consistent.

I have received 3-5 Busse and kin blades with decent edges, but none that were near their potential.

Obviously, Vic has awesome sharpening skills. And I think a lot of Kudos should go to Vic for being such an Awesome JYD to sharpen everybody's knives all the time.

No doubt, it is very nice to start off with a good edge. I personally love recieving a factory sharp edge.

But, in the end, if you want to use your knife, you need to know how to do it yourself.


There is a little bit of a learning curve and most might have to make some initial investments in sharpening gear. But, if you are buying $100+ plus knives and even multiples of them. And many of us even spending $200+ on certain knives. You really owe it to yourself to research how to sharpen, invest in some gear and learn how to do it.

We do all of this talk here about how great steel is and on and on.

But, good steel is not worth much if it isn't sharp, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />

And you can't just be sending your knives off all the time to have them re-sharpened... well... you can, but. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Unsub and I am sure Vic agrees as well: "Once you have used a truly sharp knife you will be amazed how you got along without one.".

I know Unsub sits in front of TV and has a stropping addiction. I also have set up a little folding table and do similar from time to time, but I like to pay attention as well and try not to watch anything that takes my focus away from my knives too much. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Stropping is like any other type of sharpening. You can't just slap the blade around a few times in random order and expect results. It "IS" about good technique. If you don't do it right, you round over the edge and similar problems.

A sharp knife is like free sample crack (... maybe a poor analogy, but.. ????). It is a "hook". But, with knives, you should empower yourself to indulge in satisfying the need for "always" sharp. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I am like Vic and love using my belt sander for sharpening. But, I also like to strop certain knives. I recently just made a new strop bat and just need to put some leather on it. I have the compounds.

There are multiple ways to get good sharp functional cutting edges on your knives. The "Jigs" like Lansky and Spyderco's jig work well. But, there are other options.

Without me re-typing all kinds of info about resharpening, those who are interested should do some research.

Here is a start:

Sharpening Thread

I feel pretty strongly about my knives being sharp. Knowing how to get it there seems like the natural progression to collecting and using good quality knives.

I am not saying the above thread is anything close to the end-all / be-all of sharpening and it is not up to me. But, there are a few links in there too with good info.
If the above thread is not sticky worthy, maybe another could be started. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I would like to see a good sharpening thread made a sticky.

But, using a belt sander isn't for everyone. I have preached this and won't stop:

If you try to use a belt sander, PRACTICE on cheap knives first and KNOW not to over-heat the blade!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> If you try to use a belt sander, PRACTICE on cheap knives first and KNOW not to over-heat the blade!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Good luck!

Case, Buck, and a few others usually come with a decent edge. BRKT and Fallknivens come with scary sharp convex edges. Most Cold Steels come with a good edge. My DMLE came with a pretty good edge. But they all eventually get dull. Learning how to sharpen them is best, but some companies offer sharpening service. I occasionally sharpen knives for others. Usually they are heavy duty combat knives that don't come from the factory with a good well finished edge.

I agree w/ KG 100%

Good info, KnifeGuy.

Unfortunately, I am not the type who can study certain skills and readily become proficent when it comes time to applying them (i.e. correct knife sharpening).

Take detail stripping a firearm for example. Simple repetition is the key but with other tasks I believe a person must be able to adapt to new methods and even alter their technique(s) depending on what they have to work with (i.e a really buggered/abused blade).

Sure, I can get a good working edge using my Lansky and even a usable field edge with just an EZ-Lap but for anything more I prefer to trust those who are much more skilled in the "art" than to rely on my own DIY methods.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses.

That said, I am thankful there are folks like Horn Dog out there!

I can put a wicked edge on a knife and am good at that type of blade but I am the slowest mechanic or doing any job where you work with your hands. I do a great job but take forever. For some people sharpening and polishing blades is a type of meditation because it takes 100% of your brain and I find it soothing. In a way it is almost a spiritual connection with everyone else who has ever maintained a blade like that. I am rebuilding a brutalized WW1 Canadian Ross Rifle bayonet.
It really needs a lot of love but is turning out really well.

This was the standard DM edge.

This was the new edge before final polishing.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Wow, fine job on the sharpening HD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

You thinned the edge quite a bit. Now that makes one helluva a slicer. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Slicer, indeed!

Since getting it back from HD on Saturday, I've only had the chance to use it "indoors." Tomatoes, red onions, raw potatoes, hoagie rolls, sharp cheddar, foil tops of of vino bottles, some paracord, and 5-6 empty cardboard beer cases!