I have a question for the knife sharping experts here. I just recently picked up an Idahome ceramic sharpener at a knife store up in Lancaster PA. When in the store we sharpened my Kershaw EDC pocket knife using his ceramic Sharpener and this put an edge on my EDC that I have never seen before (shaving sharp scary). I will admit I'm not the greatest knife sharpener but this tool with a strop makes the task real easy. If anyone is not quite sure what I'm talking about, it is two rods in a V shape with two possible sharping angles with the wider angle producing a sharp working edge. My WD was getting a tab bit on the dull side with usage on the canoe trip, slicing my arm open and the two deer I took this past Saturday along with using the knife to dig my arrows out of rotten stumps when in the woods stump shooting. I have just finished touching up my WD on these rods and then stropping it. It is now shaving sharp again just like I received from Scrap Yard. My question is concerning the correct tool or if anyone has recommendation? Am I screwing up the correct blade edge? With all the different styles of edges, I am really concerned I'll muck up the edge on one of my blades. Thanks for any help in advance, its always greatly appreciated from the folks here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

You're changing the War Dog from a convexed edge to a v edge. Not a big deal, but something to be aware of. But if it works.....

I use ceramic rods to touch up edges all the time. A tiny micro-bevel on a convex edge doesn't hurt a thing.

Glad you chimed in Vic. So using my Sharpmaker won't kill my convex edge?

can you help me understand the advantages in a convex verse v edge? If I want to keep the convex how would I do that and is it to late on my WD?

I have a page saved on my computer at work that goes on depth about different edges. I'll put it here tomorrow night.

You're only touching the very edge. When I have the time, I'll get out the strop and compound, but for a quick touch up, a ceramic rod works just fine. Just use very light pressure and only touch the very edge at 20 to 30 degrees. You can come back later and round it off with a strop when you have the time. The rod is quicker. People worry too much. Sharp is sharp. Who cares if it is convex or straight? Now a full convex grind works great for choppers because there is less resistance when chopping through a target, and less problems sticking in the wood. But even those I touch up with a ceramic rod.

Great explanation Vic. Thanks for your input!

There ya go SF, the MAN (horn dog) has spoken!

Personally I put a conventional V grind on my WarDog and like was said, sharp is sharp no matter if it is Convex or V grind. Now what Vic said about having a Convex on choppers is of course valid, but It has never bothered me and all I have had on blades for my 48 years of messing with knives are V grinds.

It's all what you are used to or want to try, sharp is sharp. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I've always been afraid to mess with my scrap yard blades and I have a few. I just don't know if I can get the angle right, guess I need to practice.

Differences lie in the grind versus the edge if I'm not mistaken. WD is a full convex grind. I've put convex edges on flat or hollow ground blades--sand paper or strop will do that. But no amount of sandpaper will change a hollow ground blade to a full convex. There are pluses and minuses to each blade geometry I believe--materials you are slicing or use of the blade and all that. I would think though, that if you put a solid enough of a secondary "V" bevel on the edge of a convex ground blade, you start messing up the overall benefit of having that convex grind. Someone feel free to correct me--it happens all the time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> My personal view is that the convex grind and the convex edge (if I can't have a full convex blade) are the way to go--tends to push through material easier. YRMV

I think that I agree with you Joshua, but I have been doing the same V grind for so many years it is just easier for me to do it that way. And At my age and place in life I don't figure I need the added benefit of a Convex grind over that of my V grind. It works for me and ultimately it us up to each individual what they want or are used to.