Trying my hand at sharpening, tips?

[AirOpsMgr]

My wife bought me a Smith's Tri-hone for Christmas, just wondering how bad off the edge needs to be before I start with the "rough" stone?

I have a few blades of varying edge conditions including a brand new Kershaw Blur (that she also got me for Christmas) - I assume fine stone for that or leave it alone?

I've only done basic sharpening in the past, so figured I'd ask

 

[BlackRifler42]

I'd say start with a medium stone on your more used knives and transition to a fine stone. Of course that depends on how good or bad off your blades are. If I use my knife at any point during the day I will come home and make a few passes on my fine stone.

 

[DMGun]

I think the ROUGH is for dull axes... I watched a few YouTube videos about sharpening to get a good idea. It is all about maintaining the correct angle and going finer / finer until you reach a edge. Then you must strop the burr off to get a really sharp edge. You can use leather or cardboard to strop it... Good luck!!

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I'd say start with a medium stone on your more used knives and transition to a fine stone. Of course that depends on how good or bad off your blades are. If I use my knife at any point during the day I will come home and make a few passes on my fine stone.

Don't own any top-end blades, so most I suspect are softer steel (I'll have to check to see what the Blur blade is); none of the older blades have any kind of nicks or gouges, just dull

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I think the ROUGH is for dull axes... I watched a few YouTube videos about sharpening to get a good idea. It is all about maintaining the correct angle and going finer / finer until you reach a edge. Then you must strop the burr off to get a really sharp edge. You can use leather or cardboard to strop it... Good luck!!

Gotcha, I just wasn't sure if starting with rough was necessary to build a better edge or if it would be more detrimental (removing more than necessary).

I do need to pick up a strop, had one years back but I think one of the dogs got a hold of it and made it a chew toy; never knew cardboard was an option

 

[Cigar Dave]

Practice at staying at the same angle on every stroke, I know that goes without saying...but that is the key. Once you master this it will go smoothly. And yes, a strop WILL make a difference once you get to a certain point, a smooth leather belt will also work well.

 

[Zeeman]

Finish it off on the top of your car window. Just run it back and forth a few times.

 

[AirOpsMgr]

Practice at staying at the same angle on every stroke, I know that goes without saying...but that is the key. Once you master this it will go smoothly. And yes, a strop WILL make a difference once you get to a certain point, a smooth leather belt will also work well.

The tri-hone came with a 23 degree angle guide and I'm sticking to that while I get reacquainted - it's been a while since my dad taugh me

Finish it off on the top of your car window. Just run it back and forth a few times.

Really? Interesting

 

[41mag]

Finish it off on the top of your car window. Just run it back and forth a few times.

Or bottom of ceramic coffee cup...use the slight rougher edge of the bottom for finish strokes....will make it razor sharp when you get good at it.

 

[41mag]

Use oil on your stone also....just a light machine oil...thin "clipper blade" oil or something like it