New Sharpening System

[Gwhat]

Hi

With the popularity of our Zhen Damascus Steel Knife Blanks (http://woodworksupplies.com.au/category448_1.htm), we have been asked about a simple sharpening system, something that preferably doesn't require a trip to the workshop every time an edge dulls.

261984

One of the biggest mistakes made in sharpening is not getting the bevel angle uniform and accurate, the SuperHone (http://woodworksupplies.com.au/prod1106.htm) ensures consistency of angle and a choice of angles to suit the smallest parer to the heaviest cleaver.

Being a diamond grit (DMT) based product it is claimed to be able to sharpen Ceramic knives, I've yet to try this as yet, but on the Zhen Knives and our set of Globals it has worked a treat.

Regards

Grahame

[Scott]

Not a bad tool to keep knives sharp but at near $80, a bit pricey.

[Dingo Dog]

I have had a Lansky knife sharpening system since the early eighties. Great for sharpening any kind of blade, different stones for different grades of sharpness, each stone is coloured coded. Fantastic system, you get an edge on the blade to shave with, no kidding either. Kitchen knives get a rub over with another style of sharpener that has two stone wheels in a water bath, a few quick runs back and forth and they are brought back to a good sharp edge.

DD

[Robson Valley]

PSSSST ! ! Want to know a secret? The edge has to have enough steel behind it for the job.
Thus, a bone cleaver has a total included bevel angle of 40 degrees. Yes, it can be shaving sharp, but for what?
Most really expensive kitchen knives do well at 20 degrees, like top-grade wood carving gouges. Fine knives for small work run about 15 degrees, maybe less. My spokeshaves are 28 degrees, my knot-busting chisels are 30 degrees.

A master machinist gave me a tool really meant to measure the tip angles on drill bits. Turns out to be quite accurate for measuring every new edge that comes into my house & shop.

Any sort of a jig fixture that can be set to repeat useful angles is a real time saver.
Yes, diamond plates will sharpen anything, ceramic blades included. The real advantage is that they
stay flat and last far longer than any other sharpening medium. It's a steep price if you're determined to use a lot of ceramic blades. I find that they are brittle and chip quite easily.

Me? I stick a 1/2 sheet of 1500 grit W&D automotive finishing paper to the kitchen countertop.
I can make useful edges at any angle, freehand, a skill that took me a long time to learn.
I'll start with a tungsten carbide Vee to establish the edge then onto the paper.