Thread: Help Sharpening a Swiss Army Knife...

Had a question. Can you use a strop/water stone to sharpen a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, obviosuly same stuff to do a straight razor (kill two birds with one stone)? I read some things about having to keep a certain angle. I'm not sure, it seems like the grit you need for a knife is coarser. Could anyone lead me in the write direction, including how to directions and what to buy to do it. Thanks in advance.

I sharpen knives on a fairly course stone (maybe 600 grit) to set an initial bevel. From here, I move up to a 1k water stone and then a pasted bench strop with .5 micron chromium oxide. This gives me a pretty good edge on carbon or stainless steel knives. A good rule of thumb for your angle is to set a nickel (for a durable edge) or a dime (sharper, less durable edge) under the back of the blade. You'll want to always keep this same angle on every stone and strop you use with a knife.

I have sharpened knies on flat, or "Bench" stones for over forty years. Pen knives take a different bevel than hunting knives! I do it without thinking about it. BUT, if you have never sharpened a knife before, contact Laurie at Po' Folks. Here's a link:
http://stores.ebay.com/Lauries-One-Stop-To-Shop-In-TEXAS_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm
She's a dealer in LANSKY Sharpening System components. The Lansky system takes ALL the guesswork out of the job. I use Lansky, from time to time, it's a breeze.
Tell Laurie what you are wanting to do and she can fix you up.

Originally Posted by hcsk8ter

Had a question. Can you use a strop/water stone to sharpen a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, obviosuly same stuff to do a straight razor (kill two birds with one stone)? I read some things about having to keep a certain angle. I'm not sure, it seems like the grit you need for a knife is coarser. Could anyone lead me in the write direction, including how to directions and what to buy to do it. Thanks in advance.

I know it is tempting, but I wouldn't do it. If you are talking about a Norton, it is possible that there will be uneven wear etc etc from sharpening the knife, which will then make it less than desirable for use with a razor, unless you plan on truing the hone every time you use it....
For ease of use something that I've used to surprising ease has been a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker. It comes with very easy to understand directions, as well as a video that explains its use for everything from machetes to (yes) straight razors-although that last part I would recommend you spring for the extra "ultra-fine" rods.
The thing sharpened everything I had (yes, one or two SAK as well) with STUPID-EASY efficiency to hair popping sharp, and because of its design, it works well on the serrated part of your blade as well.

If you don't mind truing your razor hone and don't mind waiting a LOOOOOONG time for your knife to be sharp, I guess that's a possible too.


John P.

Lansky makes it dead bang easy to get wicked sharp edges on your knives. With razors the angle is built in with the spine. With knives you have to maintain the angle yourself. Lansky has a neat device that clamps onto the blade to maintain angle.