How do you bring up a brand new edge on a blunted blade

[Adam Jee]

Hi guys total knife novice here, I have a victorinox tinker small swiss army knife, both the bog and the small blades have lost pretty much all their original factory pressed/sharpened edges especially in the middle of the blade due to use, not keeping them sharpened and possible error on my part of trying to sharpen them in the kitchen knife sharpening block which has those metal wheels inside that sharpen it.

Ive bought the victorinox dual knife sharpener, tried getting the 20 degree angle like ive read up on, attempted to sharpen the blades and bring a new edge up but ive failed to do so so far.

Any advice, videos and links would be appreciated guys.

Adam

[Colonel26]

Well, I use a 1x30 belt sander to establish a bevel, and I typically prefer 17-15° angles personally. A course whet rock would do the job, and is a skill all should learn IMO. Your best bet right now would probably be to buy one of those systems with a jig to hold the blade at a fixed angle like a Lansky or a smith system.

Never, and I mean never use those kitchen sharpener things on pocket knives. Personally I'd never use them on kitchen knives either.

[DRS]

Adam,like the Colonel said the lansky system works great.

Donald

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK Adam! The can opener sharpeners should never be used on a quality knife. Sharpening on a whetstone is an acquired skill. Nothing hard about it, just takes some learning and practice. When I was a youngster my grandfather started me out with this advice. Hold the knife blade perpendicular to the stone. This is a 90 degree angle. Lean the backside of the blade over halfway toward the surface of the stone, gives approximately a 45 degree angle. Do it halfway again, 22 degrees. Again and you've got about 11 degrees. You get the idea. Stop at the angle you want and start sharpening. Repeat the process on the other side of the blade. After some practice you'll have learned by feel how to get the desired angle without going through those steps.

Or, just get a Lansky type sharpener!

Ken

[IMBand]

A novice probably shouldn't start with a belt sander...........LOL.
If you want VERY NEAR professional results, it's incredibly simple........buy a 5-hone Lansky system and follow the instructions, then strop to complete. You will have hair popping knives every time and if you are just a little careful you won't scratch up your blade.

IM

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK.

Do you only have the one knife? If so, it's probably not worth it to spend $30+ on a Lansky ($10+ more for a universal mount). Better to get a good stone and learn to sharpen on that. If you have more knives, then a Lansky is definitely worth the investment.

A piece of plywood, some PVC pipe and epoxy makes a fine setup for a Lansky.

[IMBand]

Pretty cool set up Jerry, I LIKE IT!

IM

[Adam Jee]

Thank you guys for such a quick and helpful response I have looked into a lansky system on the tube of you and seen a few on ebay for a decent price. I have had another go at a boyz toyz keyring 4 inch blade I don't really care about if I fluff it up, tried a sharper angle and Boom I created a new edge wey! works on my tinker as well but may still get a lansky system as it looks the nuts plus ive got a bigger blade to work on

[Adam Jee]

Also I have scratched up my knife with all the bits of metal flying off of it during sharpening, is there a way to buff the scratches out guys?

[Colonel26]

If you get a Lansky type outfit, they may not fit that big ol knife very well. But they are fine for most normal size knives.

IM, Ive messed up more blades with one of them Lansky type things than a belt sander. Lol. It takes a special ham handedness I guess, but it can be done.

Adam, keep it sharp and rehoning won't be a thing yet have to do all that often. One of these is great, $20 and it works very well.

Steamboat Sharpener
http://www.nativeamericanstuff.net/Nati ... peners.htm

[philco]

Also I have scratched up my knife with all the bits of metal flying off of it during sharpening, is there a way to buff the scratches out guys?

Those scratches can be buffed out but it would require either a polishing wheel mounted on a grinder or a rag loaded with polishing compound and tons of elbow grease. I'd suggest you leave the scratches as a reminder to yourself and focus on learning proper knife sharpening techniques.
The single most important thing when it comes to sharpening a knife is to maintain the same angle of the blade to the stone EVERY stroke.
If you need a jig like on the Lansky system to accomplish that, get one. It will most likely last you a lifetime and you'll be able to carry a sharp knife every day from now on.

_________________

[Adam Jee]

Thanks great guys thank you very much Already slicing through paper with my knives, not like a knife through butter but close enough