Thread: Kitchen knives...

Originally Posted by onimaru55

How is there no heat with the paper wheels when they recommend 3400rpm grinders ?

I've usually seen 1500rpm or lower recommended.

I use a router speed control. But I've also used them full speed. I guarantee with no common sense and not keeping the knife moving someone will kill some steel. But then again I know guys who can screw up a cup of coffee.

I’ve only used mine a few times, mostly with tools, they are large wheels and I was just finishing and touching up bevels.

It’s not like using a bench grinder. I have heard the same thing with the CBN/ aluminum wheels that a lot of turners use to sharpen. They say they cut so fast they are not on them long enough to heat the edge, just warm to the touch.

It does polish quickly, so you are not on one spot long. I am using a 1750 Baldor.

Having read through this thread I still haven't figured out why any kind of mechanical device (other than taking out chips etc) is needed/and then I'm still not convinced that they are needed.

I learned how to sharpen a knife from a man who started as an apprentice meat cutter in 1934. He became a Journeyman Meat Cutter, then a Store Manager and would later purchase his own store and years later that's when I came in.

You can keep all of the Fancy 'Whistles and Bells'. I'll stay with what I've been using for over 40 years--

A Norton Multi Oil Stone--



By the way I have a cast iron Vintage Oil Stone Setup and the stones are still available to fit it. Also for those that think that they might need it--Arkansas Stones are now available for it.

Just Saying

Many new stainless steels are very hard and take a long time to sharpen using stones. And some modern pocket knives are made of the latest and greatest "super steels". Not sure how well an arkie would do with those. Most guys use diamonds if they freehand these types of knives. Or if they got money to burn cbn stones. Carbon steel is a piece of cake. Some of these others not so much. It's a viable method. If it wasn't virtually every commercial sharpener as well as most every knife maker wouldn't be doing it this way.

Faster and Easier isn't always the best path to follow: I have found that Patience is a Virtue well worth seeking.

Every Commercial Razor Maker (that I know of) uses motorized methods to sharpen their razors before selling and call them 'Shave Ready'. While 'some' are 'usable' most of us have found that with using the older, slower and time consuming method of using stones gives a much better edge.



While I have consistently said that the difference between 'Sharpening' a knife and 'Honing' a razor are as different as Black and White. I see no difference between hand sharpening of a knife's edge on stones to improve it's edge that was created by a mechanical device such as a belt sander.

That is only because you havent tried it. Nothing wrong with slow and steady. I do it also. Time is worth something. Some guys have all day to tickle their knives. I do that sometimes myself. But theres no down side to it once you get it down pat. It doesnt even need a strop after the wheels when done correctly. Doesnt matter to me. But i was apprehensive about it until i tried it. And im sold. That doesnt mean i dont freehand or.use a hand strop to touchup a knife.

my personal japanese knives, will never ever see anything mechanical.

but i like the idea paper wheel it sounds less invasive destructive vs a grinder or belt sander

Originally Posted by Bill31521

That is only because you havent tried it. Nothing wrong with slow and steady. I do it also. Time is worth something. Some guys have all day to tickle their knives. I do that sometimes myself. But theres no down side to it once you get it down pat. It doesnt even need a strop after the wheels when done correctly. Doesnt matter to me. But i was apprehensive about it until i tried it. And im sold. That doesnt mean i dont freehand or.use a hand strop to touchup a knife.

As a former meat cutter I have tried those so called belt 'sharping' machines. I'll stick to my Norton Multi Oil Stone and my F Dick Steel. If others wish to use one for regular use and needlessly grind away precious steel that can't be replaced they may do so if they wish.

I rarely sharpen others knives, though I have been known to take my stones to a dinner party. Just doing all the household kitchen and pocket knives, they don't need attention enough for my liking as it is and I'm often just sharpening one knife. I'd rather grab a stone than walk 25' to the shop where a multi speed 2 X 72 belt grinder is normally all set up and ready to go.

Also since my 'dull' knives are still pretty sharp they rarely need even a coarse stone let alone power tools. If I was trying to make a living sharpening, I'm sure that I'd be using power tools.

On the other hand, I do often go out to the shop to sharpen a pencil on a belt when I need a really sharp point.