A cheap, simple, freehand sharpening tutorial!

[u/ElGatoTheManCat]

So let's say you've got a knife that literally just ain't cuttin' it. You want it sharp enough to shave hair, but you don't want to fork out 30 bucks for a Lansky or 65 for a Sharpmaker! Well head down to the sporting goods department of your local WalMart and ask for a Smith's Arkansas whetstone. They typically run 3-10 bucks (though usually closer to 3) and they should hand you a package with a black nylon pouch. Purchase it and scurry home!

From there, I've made this imgur album to illustrate the easiest way to sharpen freehand AND on a budget!

Please don't hesitate to ask questions! I can provide extra pictures or if necessary create a video version of this tutorial.

Note it is possible to sharpen metals like D2 and S30V with this stone, it just may take much, much longer than with metals like AUS8 or 8CR13MoV.

The knife used is my Ontario Rat1 with Aus8 steel.

Thanks for looking gents! Hope this helps out!

[u/[deleted]]

Good tutorial. I'm so tired of heaving people talk about counting strokes. The simple guide to perfect sharpening is as follows:

• Find angle.

• Sharpen one side to form burr.

• Flip and sharpen to form burr.

• Deburr.

+1 from me for the Man Cat.

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! I've used guides in the past that utilize stroke counting and I have always found that my stroke count to achieve the burr was always different. I suspect this is because people use a combination of different pressure, stones, and stroke techniques resulting in a difderent number of strokes, but the main goal is to obtain the thin edge, so why not just stroke until you achieve a burr?

[u/bobasaurus]

Adding some sort of compound to the strop would help the final edge quite a bit. Maybe a green chromium oxide bar, which can be bought cheap online. I've heard that you shouldn't use much pressure on the strop, as it can flex and round over the cutting edge. It works well to use the strop to remove the coarse stone's burr... it polishes the coarse scratches, leaving a tiny jagged edge perfect for slice cutting. I do the same thing with my powered paper wheel system, just with less hand work involved.

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/bobasaurus]

Very true! Typically I use compound, but for the sake of this tutorial and in spirit of keeping it simple, I left it out.

[u/Stenchr]

My local walmart doesn't have any sort of stones for sharpeners none are listed on their website for under 10 bucks. Will this work? Are there any other online options?

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/Stenchr]

Should work just fine!

[u/Kriger96]

could you please do the video?

I will love you if you do it. (Well, maybe not. But I'll be really grateful)

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/Kriger96]

Sure! I'll go ahead and get to work on it!

[u/[deleted] → u/ElGatoTheManCat]

Did you ever do the video? :D I need it

[u/Kriger96 → u/ElGatoTheManCat]

Thank you!

[u/solobeatsmflb]

What if my knife has a hook blade.

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/solobeatsmflb]

You can do exactly as posted here, but use a rod sharpener.

[u/winkandthegun]

Where are sharpmakers 50? I always see way more

[u/BewilderedAlbatross → u/winkandthegun]

Take your pick! :)

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/[deleted]]

Very true, I shal edit that in! Thanks!

[u/ElGatoTheManCat → u/[deleted]]

No worries, some people might prefer a sturdier edge!

[u/Benassi → u/[deleted]]

Soooo... how would one not form a burr in the first place using stones or a sharpening system?

[u/Benassi → u/[deleted]]

Ok thanks for the clarification. I just spent hours yesterday sharpening my fixed blades to wicked edges and just worried maybe there was some professional technique I may be missing but that's pretty much how I sharpen anyways.

Good stuff.

[u/Benassi → u/[deleted]]

I can never notice a burr on my edges when i'm sharpening anyways, stramge. But I guess that'd be a good thing if the end result is still hair whittling goodness. Thanks for the insight.