Whats the best system to get knifes sharp enough to shave hair off my arm? Or is that something I ought not to be judging a sharp knife by?
My personal favorite is the worksharp system. Basically a mini belt sander. Comes with numerous guides for different kinds of knives, scissors, etc. and is super easy to use. Just set the blade against the guide and draw it across the belt. I use the red belt, and then hit it with the finer purple belt. After that, the blade gets stropped on my belt and they're always paper shaving sharp after that http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200431964_200431964
I started off years ago with lansky and served me really well. Now days I have a couple of worksharps including the Ken Onion model and love them. Throw in a strop and its game over.
http://m.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77 I've been using the spyderco sharpmaker, can get it a lot cheaper than that link. Hair shaving, newspaper slicing sharp pretty easily.
Work sharp system looks interesting to me. Been using something like this , it sharpens but not like razor sharp.
I'm not a fan of the work sharp. It'll get the blade sharp, but it's really easy to ruin the tip at the same time, I wish you could slow down the belt speed when sharpening the tip. It's not worth the risk to me as you can burn it off in one pass if you aren't careful. I've used a Smith system where you clamp your knives in and it has these "butterfly wings" that give you a perfect angle. It works pretty good, although I can't seem to get as good as an edge now that they stopped using arkansas stones and went to diamond. I should probably invest in a leather strop, I think that'd probably give me the edge I want. Right now I'm using Japanese water stones. It's taking some practice, but I get better and better results each time I do it. The only thing I don't like is the time it takes to prep (you have to soak the stones first), and it can be a little messy. Edit: I do use the Work Sharp belt sharpener for my cheap(er) Victorinox kitchen knives. It works so fast it's nice to quickly touch them up when they need it. But I won't let those belts near my Henkels!!
I use a combination of several natural Arkansas & Belgian stones,DMT diamond stones with water only - no oil for all kitchen knives,chisels,gouges,drawknives,spokeshaves etc.Both lower forearms are normally bald from testing for sharpness after a few minute ritual.
I use this and when Im done I can shave hair with my knives. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod..._campaign=CI&gclid=CPjvrefmqMICFSwV7AodhRIAtg
I have this one for 25 years and it still works great, If your knife doesn't shave hair off your arm it's not sharp. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/lansky-sharpening-system?a=410283
If you want to see the best of the best... Here's Dan Crott's sharpening for Dozier. It don't get no better than this! Otherwise, I strongly suggest a good diamond stone(s) and good hand sharpening skills. This is what I use, but, I have 10+ years of sharpening knives, chisels, plane blades, etc. If you don't have experience in holding an edge, get a "guide."
Shaving arm hair is a fine test of sharpness but only for finer tools such as knifes- not much use on axes IMO. There are quite a few knife sharpening guide systems that really work well such as Lansky, Razor Edge systems and literally dozens more. It really depends on how much you want to spend and how much 'help' you want from the guide; some are quite simple and require user care while others really do take care of all geometry. Then there are electric systems ranging from the simile disc models like Chef's Choice (not a big fan myself) to the true honing models such as Smith's (expensive but works fantastically well). Nothing wrong with hand sharpening either and it can work as well as any mechanical / electrical method but it does take longer and some learned skills. I shave with straight razors and the edges are put on by hand, and are probably the sharpest things short of a diamond microtone but it is a delicate edge and takes a while to generate the skill to develop such an edge. I would suggest a simple 'jig' system like the Lansky guide system; they are very reasonable in price and really do work extremely well. Brian
Ah my favorite, sharpening knives. I had the Lansky Diamond system and it was as useless as boobs on a bull. The Spyderco was similarly useless. After watching a few videos, I'm getting good results with the Smiths 8" Diamond Tri Hone. Japanese water stones would probably work similarly well.
I use diamond stones and free hand. Light pressure and repeated angle to get you there. A factor that a lot of people don't take into consideration is the quality of the knife steel. You can sharpen junk steel but do not expect an edge to have much life. I suggest a little practice with pocket knives with medium grade steel and once you get them down then go to your $500.00 fillet knives. I also use a ceramic steel to finnish off the sharpening or to do light touch up work. Am thinking on making a strop to have a real finisher. PS In a pinch the bottom of a ceramic coffee cup that is raw ceramic with no finish can be used as a makeshift sharpener.
If you want an inexpensive but very decent quality (and really better than that I think), try Star Shaving: http://shop.starshaving.com/product.sc?productId=75&categoryId=2 If you charge that strop with 1 micron diamond spray, I think you will find it will put an edge on a knife that is tough to beat with any other method and it is fast and easy too. It will even sharpen ceramic knives. Brian
I use a edge pro apex 4 guaranteed for life. Very good sharpener. When i sharpen a knife i can push cut newspaper.
