Pocket Sharpener

Knife Sharpening With Cutting Edge Technology (part 1)

Once Upon A Blade…

Last night I watched the movie ‘Alamo’. I always enjoy these ‘historic renditions’ of how the US had its beginnings; how it grew up and those who helped ‘grew’ it up. I am intrigued by the ‘larger than life’ folk who were driven to push into the unknown, yet ever elusive frontier (I have to chuckle when Tennessee or Kentucky were referred to as ‘the frontier’ only a couple hundred years ago).

Well, I have been from coast to coast a few times, and, frankly, neither side looks much like frontier to me! Now days you might refer to the frontier in business ventures or scientific research; or the remote areas of the country where we travel to on vacation, might be labeled a frontier (for us). We image that we are the first ones to set foot there, until we spy the almost buried coke can near the forest fire we’ve built to keep the wild beasts at bay!

The frontier is rather like tomorrow, when it finally comes then it is no more. But, nevertheless, what remains are the historic accounts of those who ushered in frontier’s tomorrows, like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Ah yes, I love the scene where drunken Sam Houston mocks the Irish gentleman during a meeting, begging to get skewered, when Jim Bowie enters on cue. Noting the scene before him, Bowie draws his knife and offers the Irishman to upgrade his toothpick to a broadsword. Well, that’s what the knife looked like to me; five pounds of steel as long as his forearm, unceremoniously dropped onto the wooden table with a resounding THUNK!

How many of us have desired or owned one of those legendary blades? I seem to recall owning one (or two?), but only the big ones and not the humongous ones. Jim Bowie was the man! I don’t think I ever took this knife anywhere, or used it on anything except imaginary foes and the odd block of wood or tree trunk in the backyard.

So how do you sharpen a Bowie? Well, I don’t rightly know exactly how Jim did it. Can’t rightly picture him carrying around a Lansky Super Hard Arkansas Pocket Stone, (Arkansas: still frontier), or Smith’s Diamond Edge Pro Electric Knife & Scissor Sharpener (Electricity: still frontier). I reckon that any flat rock with a fine-grained surface probably did the trick.

Today, a century of knowledge (and scars) down the road, we have much more sophisticated tools and techniques at our disposal for knife sharpening.

When Is An Edge An Edge?

I have a good friend who takes great pride in his knife sharpening ability, and rightly so; he can get a razor-edge on just about anything made of steel!

Trick question #1: Is a smooth, razor-edged knife the most useful?

Of course, you are going to spend hours agonizing over this, kicking the dog, asking all your friends and even Google himself. Finally, you will surmise that this ‘trick question’ must be the opposite of what you, and the majority of others, would naturally think (otherwise it would not be a ‘trick’ question), and that is ‘NO!’.

You are wrong! The answer is ‘yes’. But before you go back and kick the dog again (if you can find him) lets look into the two schools of ‘knife sharpening thought’.

The rough edge makes the knife act like a very fine toothed saw, this being best when the blade is thin. A saw-like edge proves to be a good tool for slicing materials made up of fiber, such as rope. To achieve the rough edge the use of a medium stone, 200 to 300 grit, is used. Blades sharpened this way will need to be re-sharpened more frequently.

Smooth-edged blades are best for cutting with a straight push and are preferred by barbers, surgeons and woodworkers. To attain a smooth edge requires more work, but the results are worth it, and the edge will remain sharp for a longer period of time before needing a touch-up.

In part 2 of this article we will look more closely at the various tools used for knife sharpening.

About the Author

Who am I? Hmm, let me think… other than being an ordinary bloke who enjoys writing, photograhy, website and database development, software programming, playing guitar and composing music, hunting with bow and arrow, climbing trees, gardening, reading, pottery, painting and drawing – there is not really a lot that I like doing. I am a rather boring individual.

Born in Kingsville, Texas, I have travelled extensively; living in Tanganyika (before independence), Tanzania (after independence), Botswana, Papua New Guinea, Germany and now settled in Christchurch, New Zealand – learning about earthquakes (the hard way).

I am relatively new to the online marketing game, and the article writing incorportated in that arena. But, so far, I love every aspect of it and fully embrace the challenge and experience it offers me.

But being such a humble person, I will in no wise turn down any authors to advise, critics to correct and readers to rap about my writings. I have much to learn, and probably as much to unlearn, before I can join the hallowed ranks of authors blessing this site.

Please visit us at Sharpen A Blade !

Thanks for allowing me the privilege of being here…

Gerber Ceramic Pocket Knife Sharpener 04307

Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife $24.72 Nothing is worse than going to cut with your cutlery, and having the handle slip around in your hand. To combat this potential for injury, Victorinox has created this Fibrox chef’s knife. The Fibrox® handle is textured and provides a firm grip, even when wet, and does not slip or slide around. It is comfortable and fits naturally to the shape of your hand, and provides an attractive and modern st…

Presto 08800 EverSharp electric knife sharpener $27.54 The easy, automatic way to sharpen most kitchen and sporting knives to a razor sharp edge. This electric knife sharpener features a professional two stage system precision that grinds a perfect sharpening angle then fine hones and polishes the edge. It uses Sapphirite sharpening wheels, the same ultrahard material used in professional sharpening shops. And the no guess blade guides automatically h…

Edgeware Edge Grip 2 Stage Knife Sharpener $6.00 The Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener is lightweight, portable, and easy to use on either a flat surface or the edge of your countertop or table.  Carbide blades and crossed ceramic rods feature pre-set sharpening angles that provide the proper sharpening angle every time. Carbide blades, Coarse provide quick edge setting capabilities, and the ceramic rods, Fine are used for the final edge honing…

Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Sharpener $7.03 ATTRIBUTES Grit: Coarse/Medium Material: Carbide Ceramic & Diamond  Special Features: Tapered Diamond Rod For Sharpening Serrated and Straight Edges Carbide Blades Quickly Set Your Edge Ceramic Stones Give You A Razor Sharp Edge Reversible and Replaceable Carbide Blades and Ceramic Stones Lanyard Hole Type: Hand Held…

AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener $5.33 This knife shapener sharpens any double edge blade whether serrated or plain, thick or thin and it will do it faster than youd believe possible. AccuSharp sharpeners are the best, easiest and fastest sharpeners around. The difference is in the specially formulated, precision ground and mounted tungsten carbide blades….

Gerber 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge $79.99 From Gerber, the 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife is designed to help you endure in the toughest environments. It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sh…

Z-Vibe Pocket Pack Pencil Kit $9.49 ARK’s NEW Pocket Pencil Kit for the Z-Vibe or the Double Z-Vibe are great for teaching writing skills. You can feel the vibration of the Z-Vibe but it doesn’t affect the writing! Older people even benefit from the therapeutic effect of the vibrations on their hands. The kit comes in a handy Pocket Pack. Included in the kit are 6 pencils, 1 pencil sharpener, and a pencil adapter that easily screws …

KNIFE, WINCHESTER, POCKET SHARPENER $17.44 KNIFE, WINCHESTER, POCKET SHARPENER…

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools FF-01 2-by-4 Contractor Knife, Bead Blasted $22.05 SOG FF – 01 Contractor 2 x 4 Knife. A multi – purpose knife for any fix – it job! Has a ton of uses, with a cool design too! When you open or close the blade, the faux circular saw gear spins for a look fit for your job site. Aside from the durable, no-nonsense 440A steel blade, you get a level and wire stripper to quickly knock out tasks that usually demand another tool. More: Straight-edge blade…

Integra 42852 Aluminum Pocket Sharpener, Steel, Silver $0.98 Pocket pencil sharpener offers a compact design that easily fits into pockets, bags, binder pockets and more. The aluminum frame features a single hole for standard-size pencils and a tempered steel blade. The grooves on both sides make it easy to grasp the sides while you sharpen your pencils. Hold over trash cans or a paper towels for easy disposal of the shavings….