how do you sharpen knives

[lsutigers1010]

so how do you guys shaepen knives i use a shapmaker,and a edgepro apex
so what do you guys use

[miro44one]

A traditional flat stone, and I finish on a fine ceramic rod.I know it' s not high tech, but it works, and I can get my knives razor sharp with it.

[Gman1128]

Mines not so high tech either. I use a double sided eze lap diamond stone with medium and superfine sides. Then on an ultrafine arkansas whetstone. After this I "strop" them on my pants and they will usually shave hair.

[eatingmuchface]

my method is not very high tech either...
I normally do touchups with a fine arkansas stone (but for bigger jobs I go back to the sandpaper/mousepad technique) and a strop on my jeans. :D

[miro44one]

:D I also like to strop on my jeans

[kiah]

I'm lazy. I just use a belt sander. Sometimes I'll take some stones or sandpaper out back and sharpen just to relax, otherwise I keep a 1x30 around for this purpose.

[sharpshooter996]

Their are so many knife sharpening products out today it can get so confusing. I have never been a great sharpener but im getting better with time. I can always bring back a shaving edge, but seldom do i get to that scary sharp stage. For a while I had been using a Spyderco Sharpmaker. Really easy to use and good consistent results. However Im getting back into flat stones, and am getting pretty good. I find this more rewarding and I get a strong appreciation for this tech when the results are good. One video i found very helpful was on this site. Ray Mears sharpening.

[Richard J]

i use the paper wheels. once you learn it only takes a few minutes to sharpen a knife. if you use a belt sander for convex edges you use the buffing wheel to finish the edge with. i made a kitchen knife for my friend that has breast cancer and today my dad cut a tomato with it effortlessly. its a chisel grind with a half convex edge. a slightly dull edge can be brought back with the buffing wheel without having to touch a stone which as you know removes metal and takes life from that blade. i'm going to post pictures of it on my website later. i do have pictures posted at bladeforums in the gallery.

for thoes of you who never seen the video of the 2 knves i made slicing newspaper here is the link http://www.myculpeper.com/richardj/MLNA0018.AVI
http://www.myculpeper.com/richardj/MLNA0001a.AVI

[Madnumforce]

Hello Richard. You seems to be a professional knifemaker, and as i am in cutlery alos, but in France, i would like to know the name of the tools in english.
First, what we call here the "polissoire" , it's a wooden disc with small leather leaves all around. We use fish glue and a powder of small grinding bits to make a first grinding layer, and then we use paste with it. Grain about 120 to 240. Do you know the name in english?
Then what we call the "feutre", it's a disc made of compacted wool (or other kind of fiber like that), white We use it both with blue+powder and paste or without. Finer finish, 200-300.
Another thing we call the "bubble", it's a kind of gummy with bits of grinding powder in it also. No paste with it. Fine and homogeneous finish, but it's soft, and blurry edges.
And finally what we call the "frotte", i guess you call it the buffing wheel, it's flat (or strangely folded) pieces of fabric, me make turn very fast, and use with past. It removes the last scratches and make mirror polish.

If you could tell me the name of all of these tools in english, i would be extremely pleased.

[Richard J]

the small grinding bits are called grit like 120 grit or 240 grit. the wool wheels are called buffing wheels over here also. the wooden disc with the leather is similar to what i use for removing the burr on a knife only they are made of a special paper, it would be similar to what i would call a power strop. if you go to this link, it will take you direct to my friends website http://www.sharpeningwheels.com/ he makes these wheels and anyone who mentions my name when ordering will get a discount on a set. they come in 3 sizes, 6-8 and 10". you have me lost on the "bubble" so pictures or even a link to pictures would help. if you have any othe questions i will be glad to help you out.

[Macgregor]

I think the bubble he is talking about is a strop of some kind.

IDK, maybe Man of Iron can help out.

[Madnumforce]

Thanks for your answers. When i go back to work (i am actually on hollyday) i will try to take picture of it all (except the "bubble", we don't have any at my workplace). Your strange paper sharpening wheels seems interesting, i never heard of that. In fact, it seems to be used a bit like a "polissoire", but it's certainly cheaper, and it may last longer. Though it's certainly not as efficient and versatile: with a well prepared polissoire, you can take a steel bar to a steaming hot temperature without getting any coloration, and it bites really really hard maybe like a 100-120grits, but with a 220grits surface finish, and it's not as dangerous as a belt sander (we call here "backstands", don't try to understand why). But it's not used on common machines. Anyway, you will see it all with the pictures.