Purgatory IronWorks: Sharpening a Knife Part 2

[chitsisgreat]

damn that bit of the end looks cool! good job!

[ncomplex1]

Hello man....been watching your videos about sharpening- generally i use a coarse stone then a 1000 grit and a 3000 grit ( naniwa waterstones )....after that i strop the blade on leather ( i also use some green polish compound on it ) but i never get the blade to cut paper like you cut in your video ( ive even been sharpening it for 2-3 hours on stones then 10 min stroppin)- what do you think im doin wrong?

[purgatoryironworks]

@ncomplex1

Define "coarse" stone. what grit? But Im pretty sure that your bevels are off. It doesnt matter how long you sharpen, its all in the technique in cutting the bevels and maintaining them.

[ncomplex1]

@purgatoryironworks Well coarse is around 600-800 gritt i think ( it looks pretty much like your combo stone in your vid )......so you think im not having bevels on the edge? ( maybe the angle is too narrow?- hope i wrote it ok ).......its frustrating because i managed -sometimes and on small parts of the blade - to get it to shave hair on my arms but still it didnt cut paper clean like you show ( it tears more than cuts....).....

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ncomplex1 You're likely not doing enough work on the coarse stones before moving to the fine. You should be able to easily shave arm hair at the 1000 grit level.

[ncomplex1]

@ArtistBlade1972 Thanks for the reply......you`re actually right , i had to insist more on coarse stones- since then i managed to get all my knifes razor sharp ( cant wait for the new Glock survival knife to arrive , hes next !!! ).....just on minor proble- i think :D - i got them razor sharp using a scandi bevel, cant get convex edges to be razor sharp.....yet

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ncomplex1 The best way to sharpen a convex edge by hand is to use wet or dry sandpaper on a surface that has give to it such as foam rubber...etc Sharpen using an edge trailing stroke. Work your way up to 2000 grit paper, then strop.

[ncomplex1]

@ArtistBlade1972 Tryed that alreay....think im not working enough on sandpaper again- im afraid if i push too much ill dull the blade; tryed 200 , 400 and then 1000 grit; been experimenting for a hour or so but still the edge was crap....switch to scandi sharpening than got instant razor edge :DDD.....i have the feeling that when im using sandpaper it just doesnt "bite" the blade enough - or too much pushing > rounding the blade

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ncomplex1 Try using 2 paper towels to back your sandpaper instead of foam rubber. it's ok to use pressure on the coarse grits, but start lightening the pressure as you move to finer grits and finish with almost no pressure at all.

[franko1140]

No Sound

[DarkGallahad]

The main thing I get asked when I sharpen knives and get paid to do it at ren fests and faires is " Why do knives I buy in the store not get sharp when I buy the store sharpener?" And I tell people. Do not use a carbide fishermans tool. That iconic yellow or black knuckle guard handle sharpener. If you look at the edge it leaves these lines as it skips along the edge and leaves a large wire flax on the edge and does not create the true edge either. From one sharpener to another,awesome vid.

[purgatoryironworks]

@DarkGallahad

Thanks!



[aawadh]

nice !

[martinjlopez87]

the was no audio

[purgatoryironworks]

@martinjlopez87

Not sure why, works for everybody else.

[jhebertutube]

@martinjlopez87 Were you listening in mono, or to one channel only? Using stereo headphones, I get audio in only the right ear.

[jhebertutube]

@martinjlopez87 Were you listening in mono, or to one channel only? Using stereo headphones, I get audio in only the right ear. The other channel was silent.

[purgatoryironworks]

Uneven edges are not a catastrophic failure. Just take a close look and see what sides need more. Sharpen that side till it evens up!

[trapperbt]

How do I solve the problem of an uneven edge? ie: 5 passes on one side 2 passes on the other side. Many of the used knives I have were never sharpened correctly. Hope I'm making myself clear. Thanks, great vid

[purgatoryironworks]

@trapperbt

Its just an eye thing, if you can clearly see the odd side, just make a few passes more on that side till it evens up. No sweat!

[MrFlyUpHigh]

how you sharpen a sushi knife?

[purgatoryironworks]

@MrFlyUpHigh

same way

[lazymurderer]

is that a water stone or an oil stone?????.............if it was a water stone ,could i use oil istead(and vise versa)?????

[purgatoryironworks]

@lazymurderer

Its a ceramic stone and can use either

[lazymurderer]

@purgatoryironworks thanks dude ......really appreciate the wisdom.... (^.^)

[abot19]

thanks that was good amount of information

[Horrormane]

Anyone else having no sound in that video ?

[azreal289]

on the subject of sharpening I have a world of expertise. We have home videos of me as a 5 year old sharpening my first hatchet on the ancestral oil stones, (no joke about ancestral, they came from germany about 110 years ago with my ancestors).

[azreal289]

@azreal289 I have taken a carbon steel electricians knife, the kind that sort of looks like a straight razor but not really and laid the edge down with extra coarse grit and sharpened it via 6 more stages of sharpening and stroping to a shaving edge. The only time snipe first sharpening is necessary is for stropping a razor.

[azreal289]

@azreal289 In fact i would say that it is actually easier to roll an edge over in the case of an inexperienced sharpener by sharpening spine first, this is because it can be more difficult to see the edge and qualify a proper angle of sharpening depending on the kind of edge your making.

[nightwalker2830]

whats up with the part with the playdo

[sergeantsailorman]

If you go down to your local carpet dealer and ask for a remnant piece of the foam stuff they put on the floor under a carpet to keep it from sliding around, it will make a very stable place to put your stone when sharpening. A one foot square piece will work very well, and stored easily out of the way, by hanging on a nail on the wall. I enjoyed the old videos I have of the Andersenville Blacksmith shop.

[froyus81]

I have been sharpening knives for a long time, my father started me out on it. I have definitely learned something from this video though. Thank you very much.

Aspiring Blacksmith, Rochester N.Y.

[1fanger]

Hi Trenton, I enjoy the videos. One very safe way to check a fresh sharpening job is to shave a thunbnail, and a good way to visualize in the mind what kind of edge you want if your` looking to shave your head is to hold the edge up and if the light reflects off your work, you gotta go back to the stone. It`s called a Euclidean line, it has length but no thickness.

[mumpump]

you should keep your stones wrapped in an oily rag.

[airbornwolf]

thank you very much that was very informative

[vince38curious2]

that is a wickedly sharp skinner thanks for the refresher course on knife sharpening:D

[hawghunter308]

I use a coarse DMT stone for shaping then a soft arkansas stone to refine a bit to a hard arkansas to finish of the sharpening.I then go to a razor hone to reline the edge.And finally go to a piece of polished leather with Chromium Oxide buffing past to hone my blades.And in between changing to different stones and such i cut old newspaper to see were my progress is.hope you bring up some stuff like this in your next vids i would like to see how to improve my sharpening skills :)

[TangledBara]

Thanks! This is the best pratical sharpening video I've seen. I don't own very expensive kitchen knives or pocket knives (like most ppl I'm sure) and all I needed to know was how to put on a servicable sharp edge without some 6000 grit japanese water stone. You provided that info admirably.

[purgatoryironworks]

It is all relative. No perfect edge, just the right edge for the right application!

[DoctorDouglasDark]

This guy doesn't have a clue what he is talking about! Ignore this and look for Ray Meers! At least you will find an experienced approach! This guy couldn't even use his own sharped knife to demonstrate the edge on his blade!

[purgatoryironworks]

Im unsure of how you say its an inexperienced approach. The knife ends of like a razor, what more do you need?

[DoctorDouglasDark]

I'll quote you no perfect edge just the rght edge for the job! A well done edge lasts longer and works easier! Are you really a Smithy?

[purgatoryironworks]

Im sorry amigo, you are not making much sense. The time that an edge lasts depends on several factors. And no I'm not a "Smithy". I am a blackmith. There is a difference.

[Southparker100000000]

AHAHAHAHA that DoctorDouglasDark guy asked you if you were a workshop!

[kvg44gbs]

@DoctorDouglasDark lol your a joke dude. Yeah Ray Mears is cool, but this guy does know what hes talking about. You would prob be that dude cutting your thumb at a knife show lol.

[lazymurderer]

@DoctorDouglasDark wow ur an idiot....i've seen ray mears sharpening video and it is a great job that he does....but unfortunately 4 us "commoners" , we cant afford or rather have no acccess to the japanese water stones that ray uses.....the purpose of this vieo waz to demonstrate how a regular guy with regular equipment could get a near razor sharp egde with wat he's got........if u cant see that then u r truly ignorant....

[aerodynamicband]

the problem i have with sharpening is i don't think i keep my angles consistant so if someone was to look at a knife i sharpend it has all different angles up the edge can anyone help me with this

[purgatoryironworks]

As much as I hate to say it, thats like hitting the ball, it just takes practice!

[RegainTruth]

If I am not mistaken the finer angle you sharpen the knife also decreases the amount of time that it takes the blade to wear down.

And also a question. Is it a wise idea to decrease the number of strokes per side while forming an edge? Example being ten strokes on both sides, then eight, six, etc.

[purgatoryironworks]

The first part is true but you are getting waaay down in the details. Most folks except for chefs and skinners, ever to have to even worry about that. As far as the number of strokes, once again, a detail that isnt going to affect the out come greatly.

[RegainTruth]

I hunt so...I guess the OCD carries when I have to make sure it stays sharp when skinning a buck. :P Thank you.

[purgatoryironworks]

This is very true.

Decreasing the strokes can make it more even and its good practice to do so. The finer the edge gets, the more I flip and the lighter the pressure I place on the blade.

[Raevunstein]

This may be a dumb questions but I have not gotten a straight forward answer and thought I would ask.

What about the new diamond sharpening plates you can buy these days. Do they require oil or not.

I have seen comments saying both yes and know.

Thanks and I love the videos.

[purgatoryironworks]

They use water if Im not mistaken. The medium helps float out metal particles and keeps the stone aggressive.

[Raevunstein]

Thanks so much for the answer. That helps me a whole bunch. Now I know what to use.

Thanks again and keep the great clips coming!!!!

[iamwolfspawn]

Outstanding presentation of sharpening. I might recomend mentioning amount of presure to apply to the blade for each step of stone. Should presure increase as a finer stone is used in order to achieve flat edge, or consistant presure throughout the process?

[purgatoryironworks]

Not necessarily but it certainly can be done. I would lean in the direction that the most important thing is consistent angle of the blade. This simply takes practice. Pressure is important but you have to get a feel for it. Keep in mind that the finish strokes on the finest stone need to be very light! There is also the consideration for feeling the blade bite into the stone you want to move move but you dont want to mangle it!

[iamwolfspawn]

Understood. Thanks man.

[GWTallmon]

Thirty two years of professional wood and metal working and this is the best explanation of knife sharpening that I have run across. I get my tools this sharp because my livlihood depends on it, but I've never really been able to explain the process to anyone else this well. Nice job.

[purgatoryironworks]

Thank you very much. I try to keep it simple with little of "mystics" as possible. Always enjoy comments from other craftsmen!

[godcody]

hey of i can ash you something i'm a starting up blacksmith and i'm whating to know how to sharping but i don't know what kind of sharping stones to get or what i need to buy for sharping so can you help me out?

[Supernerd98]

lol split second shot of playing with playdoh

[fatturdburger]

Thanks 4 the videos, soon ill have a forge with your help

[LooseLatitude]

I use a circular motion than I stroke, cutting edge forward, alternatively.

I find it's a lot easier to get a consistent edge that way.

[kingboru121]

Wow seeing the end of that video i now know just how dull my sharpened blade really is. Seems like i need to switch to wet stones instead of a dinky lansky preset stone angle tool.

[HerbWalker]

I have military style lock blades & fighting /survival knives. What would be the best Way to sharpen them?

I have the gray 2 sided cheap stone[ruff/med] ,also carbon crock sticks in the wooden holder and two white ceramic crock sticks. I have a large kitchen steel and a small 5 inch one I got in the Army. I USED to be pretty good a sharpening but I guess I LOST my touch over the years:)

Would sharpen our bayonets in the platoon in the Army. I wait for your reply & thanks.

[itachionimaru]

your having fun cutting that sheet of paper

[zomfgiasfc]

Excellent knife sharpening video. Ive just got one question. To get a knife razor, should I get a really wide bebble, or should I just polish it really well?

[purgatoryironworks]

Not an easy answer.First, understand that its the steel thats going to let you get it sharp by hand. The quick answer is both. You need a deep bevel and a polished edge to get the razor hone.

[zomfgiasfc]

Excellent! Thank you very much for the advice.

[TheGreatGambinie]

with a belt sander as you had said you use, what grit do you recomend?

[purgatoryironworks]

I use a 220 grit belt for general purpose. If I get a knife back that I've sharpened before, I use a 600.

[DryWhiskey]

very nice and helpful video! Do you think that stones are better than wheel for sharpening and which type of stone do u recommend?? I have seen a lot different types like ceramic, chinese and other... thnx

[jdailey4206966]

Many Kudos!!! Awesome video! I the only thing I have been using to sharpen my knives are an arkansas oil stone and an old leather belt. I have been waiting to get some good money and buy me a good sharpening stone kit

[Adz599]

Great documentary mate... I taught myself to sharpen blades and it took me years of trial and error to achieve what I could have learnt in as many minutes watching your videos. Anyone who wants to be able to field sharpen a blade and have an edge that lasts - listen to this man, he speaks wisely ;)

[Serpestrilvith]

Wow, I've been searching for awhile now for a video on how to sharpen a blade and this is the first that I've seen where I actually feel like I've come out of it knowing how to sharpen my knife. Well done, and thank you, truly.

- سقط انخيل

[wanted467]

No way man. I think all these vids are good. I think your just having that artist thing where they hate their own pieces. it's all great work. besides, you just got back and done from all the occasions, and guaranteed a new video every friday (if I recall from one of the videos) you got a lot of work on your hands.

[wanted467]

Man, such good videos on youtube. Almost makes me want to cry that I can't subscribe to the site yet. XD

Thanks a bunch man. Ive had a stone for a while but wasn't so sure how to use it, and yet again, you answered all my questions without even having to ask.

[purgatoryironworks]

Hey no problem at all. Im actually a bit embarrassed about these vids. Compared to the new stuff, they look horrible....maybe I need to reshoot them.

[avnofhanover]

Wow!

That helps very much.

Thank you. I have a straight razor that just won't cut my hair, hopefully I can get it usable now.

-Avian

[darkslyde504]

can mineral oil be used with a stone?

[purgatoryironworks]

Absolutely, the idea is just to float the metal and rock particles.

[bugzy003]

awesome video

[purgatoryironworks]

I appreciate it, we are filming today and will have some new stuff soon!

[animeisart1]

I've dealt with a lot of knives and dad always told me never run your finger down the blade. i though this was just a no-brainer but it seems common sense ain't so common after all.

[purgatoryironworks]

Thanks guys!

This is of course our older stuff and we will be refiling alot of this, keep your eyes peeled!

[xmusicfeverx]

Answered all of my questions.  Damn you are smart.

[dexarouskies]

thanks... this is clear and easy to understand

[GripFastKillah]

great video, keep making good stuff like this.

[jackmansimpkins]

great stuff. keep up the good work.

[foxhoundairsoft123]

very helpful

[scottnebo]

I am impressed I don't ever remember seeing a knife that sharp. I have read more than most ppl on the topic but having you explain the microscopic level helped clarify some of the fuzzy parts. ty oh and I don't have too much sympathy for the darwin award winners.

[RichardTrekkerTheII]

You really don't need to tell the "horror" story. And actually perhaps you should have told the man to test the blade in the way that you outline.

[purgatoryironworks]

The would assume that this stranger had enough competency to do it. As a demonstrator I have more than 300 folks ina show, not exactly enough time to teach everyone how to test a knife.

[wvanduser]

Thank you for this informative video.

[sirg31]

finally,,,,an imformative knife sharpening video...you are the man, bro!!...thanks.

[andrewanastasi]

very impressive. could you please get back to me on how i would sharpen a camping knife. would it work in the same way

[atsstockburn]

Thanks for sharing. finally someone who can really sharpen a knife.

[munky99999]

You can also fillet a piece of paper if its sharp enough.