what is the best way to sharpen you blades?

I have always sharpened my blades with 325 and 750 grit diamond stones BUT.
I have never gotten the edge that I have wanted. I don't want to spend tons of money on kits and such because I have always free handed with the two stones I have and like that it is easier to sharpen long blades with out having guides and such in the way. I love the polished edges I see on some of the guys blades and want to get the stones and stuff to do it my self. I don't have tons of money to spend since I am saving up for the new knives about to be released. Most of the blade material I have is high carbon with only one or two stainless blades.
I would be grateful for any really good advise you all could share.

Well one thought right off the bat is a leather strop. Check out this place for something like that. I am guessing you want a mirror polish to the honed edge. A strop may be just what you are looking for. You can get different grit strops as well.

http://www.jreindustries.com/

Good suggestion Randy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Another thing I have done was to buy a leather belt for my cheap little Harbor Freight 1"x30" belt sander. I bought one from a seller at the A.G. Russell show last year. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I think it cost around $7.00--$8.00, and is well worth it.

Hi Tom. Hope the two of you are still holding up out there. The Jury is still out for me on the strop. I might just stick to my diamond hones and rods. They sure are handy and don't take up much room.

Whatever works for you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I had thought about the belt sander but I don't have anyplace to put it and I would want to get to dependent on it. Besides hand sharpening on hones can be therapeutic. Just listen for the sound and feel the sliding of the steel over the hone.

thanks for the info. I first got the urge to make my edges perfect after seeing what a friends tormek sharpening system and used his strop wheel and got a out of this world sharp and shiny blade.

I use a 30 year old silicone stone, one fine ceramic stone and leahter strop to get my blades to a mirror finish, low angle between 15-10 degrees per side, easy to maintain in the field with a 600 grit diamond paddle, will post in more detail later.

I've wanted to know these answers myself. I have one of the HF sanders but have never used it and would like to get a stropping belt for it, I know there are a ton of post about how to sharpen our blades out there. I just have to pick a method and go with it.

I'm using Lansky kits and Spyderco triangle and paddle strop for my knives. I have a 4000/8000 grit Norton waterstone and hanging strop for my straight razor.

"what is the best way to sharpen you blades?"

Well of course, stropped on the skull of a zombie!!!

Well here is my best way at sharpening my blades and my simple tools.

This is a method I have been using to reprofile my edges, what I do to maintain my edges is mainly strop, as you can see on two old leather belts, nothing fancy, if the edge does need work in the field, or at home I use a lansky diamond paddle (600grit) till I get a nice small burr (diamonds create a smaller burr IMO), then the 1200grit one and on to the strop. Mirror edge again.

If I can give you one piece of advice, get DMT diamond stone fine or extra fine, DIA-Folds I believe is the name (two combined), and a strop. If you dont get that mirror edge from stropping on the white compound alone, a bit of a hazy edge, go back to the fine and extra fine, and then finally green compound, increase the angle, lighter strokes to get the burr off.

Well heck, on to a post a did a while back.

I recently noticed while playing with the benchstone and a piece of plank that it seemed to be a good angle at around 5 degrees. After some measurement this is what I came up with:





Now the reason for this is due to a video done by another member on various forums.
Here is a link to his great adjustable sharpening platform:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhrqfV5jvs

My method is very similar, except after watching videos of the Bubble Jig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Jp5NLNmMe2Y

I decided to incorporate something similar till I can afford the real Bubble Jig.


The secret is to get a good burr going. This is D2 steel on my Becnhmade Bone Collector profiled to 10 degrees per side.

Good burr



Edge all the way sharpened


No burr, and not hitting the entire edge: BAD!


[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170022-1.jpg[/img]

Then I knock the burr of with white ceramic stone of Lansky
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170034.jpg[/img]

Then strop.
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170035.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170036.jpg[/img]

Results
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170044.jpg[/img]

Under 25X times magnification
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170040.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170038.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170048.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5170053.jpg[/img]

In the field I use a diamond paddle 600 grit or Lansky Turn box kit. Usually I just use the paddle and lightly knock the bur off.
[img]http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/geronki2/2011/P5180058-1.jpg[/img]

Total edge reprofiling: Can take up to 2 hours.
Edge maintenance. Less then 10 minutes to same results as above. In the field the same time. (this can vary depending on the damage to the edge and DONT STOP UNTIL YOU FEEL THE BURR)

Reasons I started with this low angle and constant low angle.
Well here is a video.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ewerstruly#p/c/299E614F6D3C94DD/6/u4rDIFFyXVk
It requires less force to cut through material.

and I read the book
The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening.
Here is a website where you can get the book.
http://www.razoredgesystems.com/products/books



DMT stones will make the process much faster IMO and of course, this is my process for my needs. I convex certain knives, but EDC and hunting knives are as thin as possible. Your needs may vary, but remember when sharpening.....GET THE BURR!

I hope this helps gun dog. It is not a perfect system, but as you can see I have gotten great results with D2, that people complain about, it just takes a bit more time with older equipment, diamonds would speed up the process considerably, so patience and practice!

Some more results after diamond paddle, 1200 grit stone and strop.

Rodent Solution

I am about to buy the Work Sharp knife and tool sharpener. Will post results as soon as I can.