Pocket Knife Sharpener

[Harryc]

What's the best thing to use to sharpen a pocket knife, how do you use it, and where is a good place to get it? I have a couple of pocket knives that I've had most of my life that have never been sharpened. It's about time .

[RealBlackStuff]

If all else fails, get yourself some tinfoil from a kitchen roll.
Fold that over a few times, then cut it with those knives several times.
It's a great way to sharpen scissors, and should also work on those pocket knives.

[GomJabbar]

Oilstones would be the first choice and whetstones the second choice.

There are two basic oilstones; "washita", and "hard arkansas". You start with the washita and finish with the hard arkansas. The oil should be a light weight oil. I prefer something like olive oil.

Whetstones use water instead. Usually there is a rough side and a smooth side. Start with the rough side and finish with the smooth side.

To sharpen the knife, hold the knife at a 15 degree angle to the stone and push the blade forward (instead of dragging it back). Flip the blade over, back and forth frequently, to sharpen both sides evenly. I often flip the blade over on each pass.

If you really want a sharp blade, after doing the above, drag the blade across the rough side of a piece of leather such as belt leather. Again, flip the blade back and forth on each pass over the leather. Done right, you can now shave with it. You can test it (carefully) on your armhair to see if it is that sharp.

[Harryc]

Gomjabbar & RBS, thanks for the information. So I found these (2) EBay auctions. Hows the pricing? Any better source? The total there would be $26.50 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-BUCK-KNIVES-SHA ... 0556976596
http://cgi.ebay.com/CASE-HARD-ARKANSAS- ... 0442713620

Here's a commercial source -
http://www.northcoastknives.com/northco ... pening.htm

[GomJabbar]

My experience with the Hard Arkansas stone is that it is very fine and it takes a long time to sharpen a knife on it. If I was to only get only one stone, I would get the Washita.

Regarding pricing, it's been too long since I have looked to have any idea of current prices.

The "Ceramic Rods" are good for keeping an edge on a knife that is already somewhat sharp. They usually fit into a block of wood at a defined angle. You alternate between the rods to sharpen both sides of the knife. There are also "Steels" that are similar and sharpen a little faster. Usually a Steel is one rod with a handle. You can find them in department stores.

[mgo]

What's the best thing to use to sharpen a pocket knife, how do you use it, and where is a good place to get it? I have a couple of pocket knives that I've had most of my life that have never been sharpened. It's about time .

Speedysharp.net

I like knives, but really dislike sharpening them, especially with the overly complicated kits.

This Speedysharp is cheap, fast and handy. Less than ten dollars. Not a precision device for surgical sharpness, for sure.

[virge]

If you really want a sharp blade, after doing the above, drag the blade across the rough side of a piece of leather such as belt leather. Again, flip the blade back and forth on each pass over the leather. Done right, you can now shave with it. You can test it (carefully) on your armhair to see if it is that sharp.

My barber does that with the straight razor before using it to finish up a haircut... scares me how keen that blade is. He's also about 70 years old, so I make sure my phone is off and I don't move a muscle while he's going at it.

More on point though-- any recommendations on sharpening a pocket knife with serrations?

[Harryc]

This Lansky sharpening system seems to get rave reviews all over the Internet.
http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LKUNV-Univ ... B000B8L6M2

[thinkaholic]

This Lansky sharpening system seems to get rave reviews all over the Internet.
http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LKUNV-Univ ... B000B8L6M2

I have used the Lansky system, it works very well. The extra-fine sapphire stone in particular cuts very fast for how fine it is and does a great finish-up job. Because it creates the proper angle for you this system is much better for an inexperienced person than trying to work with a flat stone.

[virge]

The Lansky system seems to be the way to go, especially for a novice like me. It's a lot cheaper than a new knife too! Thanks for the link and extra details guys.

[Harryc]

I think I might end up getting the Lansky as well Virge. Seems like they recommend this mount to keep it steady too ...
http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LM009-Univ ... _sg_text_b

[goofyGAguy]

Thanks murky. Harry seems to be long gone.

[craigmontHunter]

The lansky system is awesome, it is easy to use, does a good job and lets you adjust the angle depending on what you use the knife for. As to the stand, I've never seen it before now, but its easy to use just holding it in your hand, and the case makes it nice to carry with you (we bring it to the camp when we go hunting every year)

[killer]

If I need anything sharpened (of a reasonable size) I take it to my local butcher's shop and they do it free of charge.

[thatgothbehindyou]

Great tips in this thread. Thanks guys!