Sharpening Stones

Author: Len Q.

There are so many kinds of knife sharpeners out there. It could be exciting just to select one. You could use an electric grinder but that’s pretty major. Only professional sharpeners should go there. Maybe you’d like an electric sharpener, the ones where all you’ve got to do is just swipe the blade through. Perhaps you’d like a sharpening guide system where you’ve got a sharpening stone and an angle guide combined. Ever thought of a sharpener on a key chain? Imagine that.

Most sharpeners are designed with speed and ease in mind. Most things are. A basic sharpening stone is not. Using a sharpening stone isn’t fast. But it isn’t very slow, either. Would you believe that it could be the fastest, the cheapest and the most dependable way to sharpen a knife’s edge?

So what are the “many” advantages of using sharpening stones over everything else? Let us count the ways:

It could be the fastest way to sharpen because you’ll do it right there where you are. You needn’t go anywhere or wait to have it done for you.

It could be the cheapest because you won’t have to pay for services rendered. No gas money spent dropping it off or picking it up.

They’re more reliable than electric sharpeners. You can take them practically anywhere and not be dependant on electric outlets. You needn’t worry about weakening your edges by accidentally overheating them. Best of all, you needn’t depend upon a machine to do it for you because you’ll be able to do it yourself.

Special note: There are high priced electric knife sharpeners out there that claim “never” to detemper you knife edges. I can’t speak on the reliability of such claims. Just be very cautious if you decide to use one.

Sharpening stones are more dependable than automatic sharpeners. You’ll be one skilled individual if you’re able to maintain the same sharpening angle for both sides of the edge each time you swipe the knife. Maintaining the right position from tip to heel isn’t so easy. If you haven’t mastered it, the edge may seem sharp initially, but you’ll need to swipe it again before you know it.

Many sharpening stones come in compact sizes. They could fit right in your hand. An axe stone, for example, looks like a really fat cookie. A very safe cookie. Some rectangular stones are like a little thin bar of chocolate that comes in a box (anybody hungry?). And most of us have seen tiny sharpening stones in a special pocket on a knife belt holster. Don’t forget the ones on a key chain. Talk about handy. Sure isn’t so easy with most other types of knife sharpeners.

And best of all, you can take sharpening stones practically anywhere you need to go, except maybe underwater or flying through the air. Really almost anywhere. (Outer space isn’t recommended.)

If you do decide to pick up a sharpening stone, you’ll have some choices. There are water stones, oil stones and diamond stones (don’t get any ideas). Each kind having its own varieties available and each with its own set of advantages. Whichever type you choose, sharpening stones usually come in two halves. One half has a coarse grade that’ll get your blade’s edge good and sharp. The other half has a much finer grade for refining that edge to razor-sharpness. This is real good for kitchen knives. Just one stone can easily take care of many, if not most, of your every day sharpening needs.

The most recent addition to sharpening stones is the ceramic sharpening stone. Many people aren’t even aware that they’re out there. They are only meant to sharpen steel knives. They are not meant to sharpen ceramic knives. Because they are much harder than steel, be sure to sharpen your steel knives carefully. Metal comes off the edge much faster than all other sharpening stones and so sharpening happens much faster.

Using a sharpening stone to sharpen a knife is still the most dependable and reliable way to sharpen your blade edge. It’s very simple. Very effective. It could be the fastest, the most inexpensive way to sharpen knives. When you know what you’re doing, you’ll save your knives, too. Be very careful.

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Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer who strives to protect the natural world. If you would like to learn more about

Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them

Tests for Sharpness, Steeling, Stropping and more 

Sharpening Other Edges

(i.e. Chain Saws, Lawn Mower Blades, Gardening Tools, Axes)

Find it here at www.MakeKnivesSharp.com

About the Author:
Biologist and Environmental Consultant. Former high school science teacher. Medically retired at 26yo. Been that way over 13 years. The world waits. Changing my world.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Knife Sharpening Experts: Sharpening Stones

Pocketknife Care Made Easy

Author: Larry Clark

There are literally thousands of articles on the web that outline various methods of caring for your knives. In this article, I will break it down to the simplest terms – using the KISS principle “Keep It Simple Stupid” to describe how to ensure your favorite knife lasts you many years. The information in this article is valid for all types of pocketknives, and can be used to care for all knives.

Whether you have one pocketknife or a huge collection of quality knives, including the full range of pocketknives, folding knives, fixed blade knives and pulti-purpose tools, you must maintain and care for them or they will deteriorate. I remember once when I pulled my favorite knife out of the leather sheath for the first time in a year, it was all stained and the blade was covered with rust.

Maybe you just gave your son or daughter their first pocketknife and want to teach them how to care for it. No matter if you are a hunter, hiker, camper, or wilderness backpacker, you know that a quality pocketknife is a valuable tool and, if properly cared for it will last you may years.

There are many brands of pocketknives and just as many levels of quality with varying degrees of corrosion resistance – suffice it to say knives made with lower quality metals will require somewhat more care to ensure they stay corrosion-free. BUT for the purposes of this article, the prudent level of care described below should keep any knife in good working order.

HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE TIPS TO CARING FOR YOUR POCKETKNIVES

1. USE YOUR POCKETKNIFE PROPERLY – Remember a knife is not a screwdriver and a screwdriver is not a knife: Use your knife properly, cut only stuff your knife was made to cut – avoid cutting cardboard or paper and never use a cutting board made of glass, granite, or other hard substances. And, of course, (but many people ignore this one) don’t use your pocketknife as a screwdriver, chisel or a pry-bar.

2. STORING YOUR POCKETKNIFE – When not in use wipe your pocketknife lightly with oil ( a good silicone spray lubricant can also be used) and store it in a dry place. NEVER store your knife in its sheath – especially a leather sheath, as leather tends to hold moisture and can cause corrosion.

3. CLEANING AND OILING – Many normal uses for your knife such as pealing citrus fruit, cleaning fish or skinning game can leave corrosive residues on your knife. After using your knife, always clean the entire knife with mild soapy water. Then dry it thoroughly and apply a liberal coating of clean oil before putting it into storage. Finally, if you don’t use the knife frequently, take it out 3-4 time a year to inspect it for corrosion, and apply a new coat of oil. These actions will ensure a long life for your knife.

4. SHARPENING – Always keep your pocketknives sharp. A sharp knife is more efficient and easy to use. There are a number of different styles of knife sharpeners – the three primary styles are sharpening stones, diamond sharpening sticks, and ceramic “crock sticks.” All of these have their pros- and cons- but they all can sharpen knives effectively. When sharpening your pocketknife, I recommend you sharpen to the original angles of the blade. Just follow the instructions that came with the sharpener. Remember there is no need to grind the knife away – go slowly and check progress after every few strokes and stop when you have reached the desired sharpness. When done, don’t forget to wipe the blade clean and apply a light coat of oil or silicone protectant.

IN CONCLUSION – Take good care of your pocketknives and they will last for many years.

• Keep your pocketknife clean and dry.
• Oil your knife frequently; especially pivot points and the blade.
• Keep your knife sharp; a sharp blade is safer than a dull one.
• When not in use, remove your knife from the sheath and store in a dry environment

About the Author:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Larry Clark is President of Clark Unlimited, Inc, a Florida based family owned internet marketing firm which focuses on providing quality products and world-class service at highly competitive discount prices. He is the founder of the website www.PocketKnivesPro.com – providing a wide variety of pocketknives, folding and fixed blade knives, as well as multi-purpose tools and sharpening tools from major manufacturers such as Buck, Case, Gerber, Leatherman and Victorinox.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Pocketknife Care Made Easy