I've never seen a youtuber who listens to people's concerns this much. I'm addicted to knives and sharpening because of this channel. Now I've asked my family and friends to let me borrow their dull knives so i can sharpen them 😂
@@rielax04 careful, offering to sharpen knives is probably like offering to fix someone‘s computer: do it once and you’re on the hook for the rest of your life.
I've been sharpening my parents, my in-laws, and my aunts and uncles knives ever since I learned lol. (not to mention, obviously my own). It's gotten to the point that I have a small stone on me wherever I go (usually), and even if I go to a restaurant that gives a bad knife, I'll touch it up or strop it LOL)
@@MrShaw3030 I can imagine the restaurant scene: “‘scuse me while I whip this out” and you start producing 8x3 stones in appropriate grit progression from your cargo pants… 😂
I just bought the six inch and it ate away at me I should of got the 8 so now I've bought both. I'm amazed at the results I'm getting on the sharpal considering two days ago I'd never used a stone. It's a great piece of equipment.
Haha! I carried the Spartan for over a year around 2012. It has two things going for it. If you learn to sharpen it, you can literally sharpen anything. And if you pack that thing around in your pocket for 12 months straight, NOTHING ELSE will ever be too large or heavy to carry.
That's like that old story about the family who complained that their apartment was too cramped. And the advice they got was to raise a billy-goat 🐐 for a year. And then remove the goat.
I know nothing about the Spartan brand but I have a couple of Buck 110 locking blade folders (circa 1981 with brass bolsters) which I carried for more years than I care to opine. I've recently decided that I don't have a real need to carry a 3.5" blade which when closed is about 5" overall and probably weighs close to a pound. I've recently decided that a 3" long blade is plenty and have started carrying a Buck 285 locking folder which is an imported model that has a black polystyrene (I believe) or some sort of very high tech plastic case. The 285 is between 3 & 4 ounces and does everything I need without carrying all that extra weight. Of course, if I knew I was headed into the back country (which I did regularly when much younger) there would be no hesitation on my part to put the Buck 110 on my belt inside the rough brown leather holster and keep the Buck 285 in my pocket for lighter duties. The Buck 110 will endure more severe punishment for a much longer time without complaining at all. So for everyday, the Buck 285 is plenty and in a potential survival situation, I would make sure the Buck 110 was on my belt if backup if needed. I've split 2" diameter branches into quarters to use as firewood while being 15 miles or more from any civilization using the Buck 110 while having a 5" long fixed blade knife in the back pack as insurance (which I bought when I was 12 years old). The Buck 110's have been with me through several multi-overnight, week long hikes in the back country with my wife when we were much younger. Sadly my wife had a terriblely severe stroke in 2002 and passed away from stroke complications in 2017 so, it's been about 25 years since I've been able to get in the back country although I still hear the call to get out there from time to time. The key is to know how to keep the knife you carry sharp enough to shave hair from your arm so along with the knife, I always have a 4" long dual sided diamond stone in a pants pocket (everyday carry) which is 400 / 600 grit. The one I carry is more than 30 years old and still works as well as when it was new (I am 73 years old). The model I have is now obsolete so you can no longer buy the one I have but it was made by Mrs. Smith sharpeners (the best I remember). Any imprinting on the case has long been worn away along with the rubber liners molded (or glued) to the plastic folding protective case. I think I paid less than $20 for it over 30 years ago. Take care, Even so, come, Lord Jesus Rev 22:20 KJV
Oh MAN, You're truly the saint of sharpening. All the best to ya, and thanks for these videos, always watching them with an empty cup to soak up as much knowledge from you!
Not to sound weird but I missed you, you were a big part of my passion of sharpening knives. TH-cam stopped recommending your videos and this one just popped up. One of the knives I started on was a recurve and I got so discouraged I just threw it away. Your videos offer a deep yet easy to follow understanding on a broad range of topics from forging and metalurgy to sharpening. Thank you for all the knowledge you’ve given me
I really appreciate the way you share your skills with us and deliver information to us. I also appreciate that you dont try to sell us stuff we dont need, you simply let us know what works for you. Thanks for another great video. Please keep up the great work. I wish you nothing but happiness and health
I did this yesterday with one of my knife, so glad my technique confirmed and saw another tip on locking the elbow too, will practice more. Thanks a bunch.
Thank you for the GOOD information that people need! No bullshit just to sell junk like a lot of others these days! Got my first diamond stones, sharpal, after your review/usage of them and I'm really impressed of the edges I'm getting all of a sudden! Keep it informative and stay real! Looking forward to more vids from you! ❤❤
Great video man. Love the channel. One of the best. You and Neeves knives are my favorite knife channels. But you are the OG. Hope all is well with you r health.
Thank you, for making this video! I avoid recurves, for the same reasons you mentioned, but I've had to sharpen quite a few for friends. When I get really frustrated, I'll tape sandpaper to a bathroom tile with rounded corners and set it on the edge of the table like you did with the strop. Still learning from and enjoying your vids after all these years.
Love my Spartan, it can't get enough of eating through vines, roots, shrubs, and trees on the property. I'm gonna have to break out the carpal tunnel wrist braces when I begin to sharpen with stones to help lock it up till muscle memory kicks in. I haven't had to sharpen the Spartan yet, but I know I will at some point. I thought your table moving was someone laughing in the background for a second there, haha. The spyderco sharpmaker may be good for the Spartan. Thanks for showing how to do specific portions of the blade, which would be very useful for something like the SOG Kiku XR. Extremely helpful upload, thank you Sir.
Awesome video! Now I understand why I've had so much trouble with either my tip being way thinner or thicker than the rest of my blade . I've been using a method that definitely changes the angle. I appreciate this info! Will greatly help me. Your a master of sharpening! 🙏
I have found your channel couple days ago and find that you give great advice and break down on hand sharpening. I have been looking thru past video curious if you have shown how to sharpen fillet knives
Hey alex! I just want to applaud you for taking suggestions from the comments because this video was the thing i needed. Now i can sharpen all my kitchen knives and not just my santoku knifes. Have you ever tried Wusthof knives? I want to buy some but im not sure if they are good steel. Great video
Wüsthof knives are definitely good steel. They've been forged in Solingen, Germany for well over a century and the city is famous for their blade steel.
Hey Alex, i absolutely love you sharpening content, you are the person that convinced me to learn freehand two years ago and thanks to tour continuos tips and tutorials you are still helping me improving, thank you so much. If I can ask you a favour, May you show us how you sharpen convex blades because i find It very hard and your input would help a lot. Tank you and keep un with your content. (Sorry for weird english but as an italian my native language Is spaghetti and pasta)
Always love your content ❤ .. I think it’s safe to say you are the sharpening doctor / goat 🐐 😅 For me and a lot of people - as for an idea 💡 for a video … I was thinking 🤔 just maybe since Spyderco is now going to have CPM REX 121 in their line up .. maybe a video on how to actually work with Rex 121 ? I know it’s basically resin bonded diamond stones and nothing else because of hardness .. But I’d be curious to see what your take on it would be 😊
First thing first, every time I watch with proper attention one of your vids I step up with my learning curve in sharpening. And following your advice, I bought a Sharpal diamond stone, a big game changer. I have an obsession about billhooks, a common tool in my area, but it's really hard to get a proper sharp and nice edge, due to its peculiar profile. Most of people use round axe stones or sickle whetstones, with solid results but poorly refined edges. Any advice how to sharpen a billhook with a flat stone would be appreciated. And if some time you feel bored and you want to show us how to work on those edges, it would be great. Thanks for your work and keep going
Brother! I remember your motto from a previous video, “perfect practice makes practice perfect”!! Love it👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 love your channel and content!!, by the way, how are you feeling? Are things getting better for you? Your my hero, you wasn’t feeling up to par, however, you still went to the knife show, hang in there brother 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️👊🏿🙏🙏 sending prayers your way for reenforcement / back up!
I copied the way you sharpened on the diamond plate, heel to tip lifting my elbow at the belly, but then did the same movement for the strop, rather than reversing the movement as you did to go tip to heel and dropping my elbow. Do you think it matters? IOW when you switched to a strop at 14:20 you said “we are following the same technique of starting high and dropping the elbow,” but to be picky that was a different technique, as you had been raising your elbow as you reached the tip but now were _starting_ at the tip/belly. 20 years ago every other Bark River made was a recurve or had some slight curve to the blade (Slither, etc.) and I bought a lot of them. I usually use a rounded diamond rod to try and get to the inside curve. In any case this is a super valuable tutorial, thank you. 👍
The Spartan is a surprisingly good knife that I've daily-carried far more often than seems possible. There's something about the profile that makes it disappear in my pocket. It cuts great and the weight of it allows it to effectively cut large limbs and saplings while still being able to slice more delicate items. Despite this usage and its pedestrian steel, the blade never suffers damage beyond that which can be remedied with a regular sharpening. It does have an Achilles heel: the thumb stud is held on with the most ridiculously tiny 2mm screw. I've snapped it once already (to be fair, I was using the stud as a hammer at the time). Thanks for the tips on sharpening recurves!
This was a great video. I have Cold Steel Rajah III which is almost the same knife, except with shorter handle. It has server me well several years already whether I'm camping and splitting wood or doing regular house chores. It even works as small axe, and because the blade is thick, I don't need to worry about it breaking when hammering it. Not the smallest that's true but still the best EDC in my book.
I'm a beginner & only have a set of those cheapo ceramic stones - I bought them & then found your channel & had a DOH! moment. But that's what I have for now - in Australia diamond stones are quite a lot more than the US. e.g. that Sharpal 162N comes in around $140. I do have a curved blade knife & was wondering how much rounding the stone edge can be done with the 'resurfacing' stone that came in the kit I got. I'm presuming it would work OK for that as it is to re-flatten the stones after they hollow out. Also, I haven't found one yet but do you have a video on sharpening serrated edges? I have a general purpose knife with wide serrations - one of those "this will cut anything, shoes, rubber etc. & still slice a tomato" - & I thought it could be good practice to improve skills. On that, can a bread knife blade (fine serrations) be sharpened? I have an old English one, serrated one side with small 'blocks' that are not serrated. It might be a good restoration project, although I am not at all sure how it might be done. It's clearly been used for other than bread as the serrations are quite worn.
For me its narrow stones if they fit or using wooden or metal dowels wrapped in sandpaper as I do them very rarely and usually they are not supersteels so sandpaper will work fine. Great tips throughout the vid on what's most important when sharpening. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
Another good method is using the Worksharp Ken Onion edition with the blade grinding attatchment with stiff belts. Have had good results with that! Just my ¢2. Hope it helps! And keep up the good work! You are one of my references I send to people for sharpening, then Engineers perspective, and Burrfection, though his are good and he has a lot of reviews of whetstones, they are a touch behind yours though as He does not use the microscope. There are a few others such as Sharpen Right Services that is really good, Currys Custom Cutlery, and Alexandria's Knife Sharpening and Laser Engraving. Sincerely, JS
Hey! Absolutely love these sort of videos, extremely helpful, got into sharpening because of you haha, and I'd love a guide on hand sharpening an axe/hatchet and how one would go about doing that, I've got an axe sharpening puck a while before discovering your videos and never even got it to hair shaving sharp on my husky axe, saw a ~6 year old video of yours where you use a belt sander to sharpen your axe to an impressive sharpness but I'm not really in a spot to get a belt sander, and probably not so for a while. Would appreciate the help!
I use the thumb rule wile sharpening on rods. I hold the rods at my chest pointing down 45deg places my thumb on the spine of the knife, index on the rod lookin my wrist at the angle and use the elbow to pull the knife across the rod. First diamond than ceramic and finish on a honing steel. And yes I know your opinion on the honing steels but for me it works very well giving my edges some bite. Like your videos a lot!! Stay safe and healthy!!
Thank you for the video so soon after the other one! I also appreciate you doing it with such a crazy re-curve knife, makes using this technique much less daunting to try on my Santoku lol
Appreciate this video. I’ve been using my torso for curved edges, but the firm wrist is pivotal. Thanks for that. Side note, i noticed that higher-end steels end up with flatter edge profiles for some reason, maybe difficulty associated with material. When it isn’t dollar store knives, you’re usually using your high-end blades, so it’s all good. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Since I mostly just strop, these videos are a nice refresher for the day when I have to sharpen again. Which will probably be either because of a accident, or because some factory edges leave much to be desired. Otherwise I managed to strop some daily use knifes back to shaving sharp for years now. I think the trick is that I made a strop to my liking and I found out that I need to use high pressure, despite videos saying low pressure. I tried low pressure and nothing happens. Medium does work a little bit on very low edges, but not on high ones like scandi grinds. Maybe it's the definition of pressure that is different to people. For me low is like using a fountain pen, it's own weight does the thing. Medium is like a pencil, where the pressure needs to be enough to leave a mark, but not so much, that it dents the paper. And high is like using a ballpoint pen on my scale.
Thanks for the tips on sharpening recurves, Alex. Could you possibly do a video sometime on how to properly sharpen and strop a hollow ground razor? I have a razor that I would like to put into working order. Thanks !
I agree, recurves are strictly aesthetic for pocket knives, but on 10+ inch choppers? So nice... When that spot where you say pressure increases while sharpening/stropping bites into a limb while chopping 🤌🏽
This video, what a treat ! The way a simple mortal like me sharpens and reprofiles those recurves is : strap a Spyderco triangle Sharpmaker CBN stone, to a cheap diamond stone for guided systems, and mouting that on a TSProf... Setup looks goofy, but it works well, I was able to effortlessly reprofile a Victorinox curved blade pairing knife (those ones for peeling) at 13°/side, and also a Karambit, and without rounding that very delicate tip. The end result is great and much better than just using the triangle sharpmaker which is just the wrong tool for any kind of serious reprofiling imo, but now that those edges are set, it is a dream to maintain those knives on the sharpmaker brown/white rods normally, using the 15° setting. Any kind of cylinder-shaped stone, diamond honing rod, can do this job very well For stropping I thought of taking some jeans or leather, and wrapping it/gluing around a wooden rod, then it's possible to use any fancy polishing compound of your liking, any thoughts on that ?
As always alex makes it look so easy. I sure wish he would explore straight razor honeing. Although, I have found a couple awesome individuals on the topic. Cajun shave and dapper shaves in case anyone is interested.
This is just motivating me to get a fixed sharpening system. It takes way too much practice to consistently keep an angle like this whilst rotating on a different axis
Recurves are where for the average person things like the Spyderco sharpmaker are the easiest way i think. (It takes a very long time, maybe not with very soft steels) I did use the rods of my spyderco sharpmaker on a stoneholder for something like that, because i didn't want to screw up the corners of my flat stones. Did work way faster than the normal way of using the sharpmaker interestingly. Also, i think you don't need to switch to a flat stone for the belly, it may be easier for most though. Over all i am kind of glad that you as a pro also have no magic thing for recurves that i have missed or not thought about over the years. The "recurved" blades i have to sharpen the most are old kitchen knives who look like the butchers knives that are used to debone meat. The handle side of their blade is equal to a recurve for sharpening purposes.
I hope you are doing well. I'm thankful for your expertise on sharpening. I love freehand sharpening. Could you make a video on sharpening double edge blades ? Blessings to you and your family.
I’ve always wanted to be able to sharpen knives and I hope to learn from you. I’ve got a couple curved 8 & 10 inch breaking knives and the curved blade leaves me unsure how best to sharpen it. Should I use the technique you use in this video? Thanks for all the great content and advice.
Great video as always Alex. I also think you already did one, for recurves, way back when, separating the sharpening for different parts of the blade, if I remember correctly 🤔. But meanwhile I had an idea for you, I can't test at the moment (in summer we are at the country house - my jewelry eye glass and big stones are at home, not with me), and the idea is: i have improved the sharpening thanks to you, again, by paying attention to burr removing. Have you thought about trying to shear the burr faster and more easily by running the secondary bevel on the corner of the stone, along the bevel and backward from the blade as in stropping?
Very interesting video. I recently bought a Kizer knife that has a lot more recurve than it seemed in pics. Wish you lived nearby. I have an MKM Vincent that has a very short, but tall MagnaCut blade thats basically all belly. A friend put a semi mirror polish on it for me, and dulled it first. I was going to get it DLC coated, but decided to leave it as is. I need to try and put an edge back in it, but its a little intimidating. I have the Sharpal stone you recommend, but also have a Worksharp benchstone that has a feature that allows it to tip to help with bellies. I need to screw up the courage to give it a shot.
could you please do a stropping guide? Like what compounds are and how important are they and if you can use the strop without it and maybe like if there is any household stuff could be used as a substitute?
Hey Alex, thanks for another amazing video that I really needed because I've got to clear a riverbank with a scythe this week for my Dad 😖, and a *really sharp* blade will make a crappy job far more tolerable... 💪😬 In the past I've used 1200-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper staple-gunned to a piece of old broomhandle, but I think this way'll be much safer than that 🩸🩹🙄, hopefully...? -But I don't know if I can swing my creaky old shoulder or beaten-up old upper body quite that far any more, so it'll probably get done by working my way along the blade in 5 or 6 stages every time it needs some attention, but I guess I'll find out soon, huh? Huge thanks and respect from the UK 🇬🇧, and I hope your health's improving now buddy because you look, and sound, much better 😊👍
I've got a few knives with recurved edges. Norton sell 4" long 1/2" diameter stones in several grits - all pretty course. Aliexpress sells 3000 grit ruby stones 4" x 1/2" for $4. And then a ceramic rod for the final step.
a very helpfull video. diffrent question: you mentioned that you make your own stropping compound. i get 0.1-1micron diamond abbrasive from a friend and wondered how to bind it. do you have any tips?
I first tried learning sharpening on a S30V Kershaw Blur. It has a slight recurve to it, so it was difficult, but then when I switched to sharpening kitchen knives, and it was all so easy lol Moral of the story, if you start with something that punishes you for making mistakes, it will force you to make good habits and help keep you from developing bad ones.
Good video, note of interest that is a baby Kopis, most Cold Steel knifes are weapons .a recurve will leave a nasty wound like a kriss, or a Vaquero . a slight pain to sharpen and clean.
@@9mmmike642I got picked up for PI in 2023. I had a 3 inch recurve and a small thin mulittool with a razor blade inside. Cop acted like I was carrying an AK or AR. Despite EVERY knife or blade gravity or sword os perfectly legal to carry in Texas. And they are tools to me.
I've never seen a youtuber who listens to people's concerns this much. I'm addicted to knives and sharpening because of this channel. Now I've asked my family and friends to let me borrow their dull knives so i can sharpen them 😂
@@rielax04 careful, offering to sharpen knives is probably like offering to fix someone‘s computer: do it once and you’re on the hook for the rest of your life.
I've been sharpening my parents, my in-laws, and my aunts and uncles knives ever since I learned lol. (not to mention, obviously my own). It's gotten to the point that I have a small stone on me wherever I go (usually), and even if I go to a restaurant that gives a bad knife, I'll touch it up or strop it LOL)
Same I enjoy making my family’s “sharp” knives actually sharp (if they wish it)
@@MrShaw3030 I can imagine the restaurant scene: “‘scuse me while I whip this out” and you start producing 8x3 stones in appropriate grit progression from your cargo pants… 😂
Totally agree
I got to the sharpening world because of outdoors55 .
I love how we have made it all the way around, from microscopic pictures of edges and hair popping, to return to basics.
"How to sharpen a knive"
The micro stuff is great. I've got a couple of jewelry loops that work great, although not as well as his scope
I got a Sharpal diamond stone thanks to you and I’ve improved my sharpening a lot thanks to you. Keep up the good work!
Sharpal need to cut Alex a fat cheque.
Mine's in the mail lol. I think I at least used his affiliate link
Yeah me too.
I just bought the six inch and it ate away at me I should of got the 8 so now I've bought both. I'm amazed at the results I'm getting on the sharpal considering two days ago I'd never used a stone. It's a great piece of equipment.
Me too. Just got mine 2 days ago
Haha! I carried the Spartan for over a year around 2012. It has two things going for it. If you learn to sharpen it, you can literally sharpen anything. And if you pack that thing around in your pocket for 12 months straight, NOTHING ELSE will ever be too large or heavy to carry.
That's like that old story about the family who complained that their apartment was too cramped. And the advice they got was to raise a billy-goat 🐐 for a year. And then remove the goat.
I know nothing about the Spartan brand but I have a couple of Buck 110 locking blade folders (circa 1981 with brass bolsters) which I carried for more years than I care to opine. I've recently decided that I don't have a real need to carry a 3.5" blade which when closed is about 5" overall and probably weighs close to a pound. I've recently decided that a 3" long blade is plenty and have started carrying a Buck 285 locking folder which is an imported model that has a black polystyrene (I believe) or some sort of very high tech plastic case. The 285 is between 3 & 4 ounces and does everything I need without carrying all that extra weight. Of course, if I knew I was headed into the back country (which I did regularly when much younger) there would be no hesitation on my part to put the Buck 110 on my belt inside the rough brown leather holster and keep the Buck 285 in my pocket for lighter duties. The Buck 110 will endure more severe punishment for a much longer time without complaining at all. So for everyday, the Buck 285 is plenty and in a potential survival situation, I would make sure the Buck 110 was on my belt if backup if needed. I've split 2" diameter branches into quarters to use as firewood while being 15 miles or more from any civilization using the Buck 110 while having a 5" long fixed blade knife in the back pack as insurance (which I bought when I was 12 years old).
The Buck 110's have been with me through several multi-overnight, week long hikes in the back country with my wife when we were much younger. Sadly my wife had a terriblely severe stroke in 2002 and passed away from stroke complications in 2017 so, it's been about 25 years since I've been able to get in the back country although I still hear the call to get out there from time to time.
The key is to know how to keep the knife you carry sharp enough to shave hair from your arm so along with the knife, I always have a 4" long dual sided diamond stone in a pants pocket (everyday carry) which is 400 / 600 grit. The one I carry is more than 30 years old and still works as well as when it was new (I am 73 years old). The model I have is now obsolete so you can no longer buy the one I have but it was made by Mrs. Smith sharpeners (the best I remember). Any imprinting on the case has long been worn away along with the rubber liners molded (or glued) to the plastic folding protective case. I think I paid less than $20 for it over 30 years ago.
Take care,
Even so, come, Lord Jesus
Rev 22:20 KJV
Oh MAN, You're truly the saint of sharpening.
All the best to ya, and thanks for these videos, always watching them with an empty cup to soak up as much knowledge from you!
I remember asking for this video to be made, and what do you know , this guy is ACTUALLY caring for his community!
Not to sound weird but I missed you, you were a big part of my passion of sharpening knives. TH-cam stopped recommending your videos and this one just popped up. One of the knives I started on was a recurve and I got so discouraged I just threw it away. Your videos offer a deep yet easy to follow understanding on a broad range of topics from forging and metalurgy to sharpening. Thank you for all the knowledge you’ve given me
I really appreciate the way you share your skills with us and deliver information to us. I also appreciate that you dont try to sell us stuff we dont need, you simply let us know what works for you. Thanks for another great video. Please keep up the great work. I wish you nothing but happiness and health
I bought the Sharpal through your link and I am very impressed. Razor sharp.
I did this yesterday with one of my knife, so glad my technique confirmed and saw another tip on locking the elbow too, will practice more. Thanks a bunch.
Thanks for listening to the viewers. This is just what I needed
Thank you for the GOOD information that people need! No bullshit just to sell junk like a lot of others these days!
Got my first diamond stones, sharpal, after your review/usage of them and I'm really impressed of the edges I'm getting all of a sudden!
Keep it informative and stay real!
Looking forward to more vids from you! ❤❤
Great video man. Love the channel. One of the best. You and Neeves knives are my favorite knife channels. But you are the OG. Hope all is well with you r health.
Love the real time chapter you have been adding at the end
Love your videos bro. Great technique and you go over just a little bit clearer than Jared.
“These knives are not easy to sharpen.” But YOU make it look sooooo easy! Another interesting video, thanks.
Thank you for what you do. Good health and blessings from Montana!
Absolutely fantastic video showing how to sharpen a recurve using a wide stone.
You being left-handed helped me out visually! It's not all backwards to me! Thanks again Alex keep it up!!!
Thank you, for making this video!
I avoid recurves, for the same reasons you mentioned, but I've had to sharpen quite a few for friends. When I get really frustrated, I'll tape sandpaper to a bathroom tile with rounded corners and set it on the edge of the table like you did with the strop. Still learning from and enjoying your vids after all these years.
Love my Spartan, it can't get enough of eating through vines, roots, shrubs, and trees on the property.
I'm gonna have to break out the carpal tunnel wrist braces when I begin to sharpen with stones to help lock it up till muscle memory kicks in.
I haven't had to sharpen the Spartan yet, but I know I will at some point.
I thought your table moving was someone laughing in the background for a second there, haha.
The spyderco sharpmaker may be good for the Spartan.
Thanks for showing how to do specific portions of the blade, which would be very useful for something like the SOG Kiku XR.
Extremely helpful upload, thank you Sir.
Very well done said .Thank you so much for your time and effort you putting every time to presents such clear and logical videos .
Awesome video! Now I understand why I've had so much trouble with either my tip being way thinner or thicker than the rest of my blade . I've been using a method that definitely changes the angle. I appreciate this info! Will greatly help me. Your a master of sharpening! 🙏
Bought a sharpal diamond stone and strop thanks to you and my knives are finally sharp again. It’s definitely much nicer to use than whetstones
I have found your channel couple days ago and find that you give great advice and break down on hand sharpening. I have been looking thru past video curious if you have shown how to sharpen fillet knives
Hey alex! I just want to applaud you for taking suggestions from the comments because this video was the thing i needed. Now i can sharpen all my kitchen knives and not just my santoku knifes. Have you ever tried Wusthof knives? I want to buy some but im not sure if they are good steel. Great video
Wüsthof knives are definitely good steel. They've been forged in Solingen, Germany for well over a century and the city is famous for their blade steel.
My man flexing his stone collection in the back.
Thanks for another great video! My Kukri will appreciate this greatly :)
One of my fav knives of all time :')
Im really glad that you made this video, this helps so much.
Mystery solved, that was awesome!
Thank you for sharing all your "how to do it" Info. I am NO sharpening guru but thanks to your videos I am getting better.
Thank you for this! Been hoping you'd do a video on this! Very grateful.
Hey Alex, i absolutely love you sharpening content, you are the person that convinced me to learn freehand two years ago and thanks to tour continuos tips and tutorials you are still helping me improving, thank you so much.
If I can ask you a favour, May you show us how you sharpen convex blades because i find It very hard and your input would help a lot. Tank you and keep un with your content. (Sorry for weird english but as an italian my native language Is spaghetti and pasta)
Always love your content ❤ .. I think it’s safe to say you are the sharpening doctor / goat 🐐 😅
For me and a lot of people - as for an idea 💡 for a video … I was thinking 🤔 just maybe since Spyderco is now going to have CPM REX 121 in their line up .. maybe a video on how to actually work with Rex 121 ?
I know it’s basically resin bonded diamond stones and nothing else because of hardness ..
But I’d be curious to see what your take on it would be 😊
DOES THE $20 SATC DIAMOND STONE WORK FOR RECURVED KNIFES??
Love your videos, keep on grinding.
Great explanation and demo. I would bet that most pro sharpeners are using the edge of a belt on a belt sander to sharpen recurve knives.
There are different wheel profiles for situations like that.
I was waiting for this! Really needed to learn about this.
First thing first, every time I watch with proper attention one of your vids I step up with my learning curve in sharpening. And following your advice, I bought a Sharpal diamond stone, a big game changer. I have an obsession about billhooks, a common tool in my area, but it's really hard to get a proper sharp and nice edge, due to its peculiar profile. Most of people use round axe stones or sickle whetstones, with solid results but poorly refined edges. Any advice how to sharpen a billhook with a flat stone would be appreciated. And if some time you feel bored and you want to show us how to work on those edges, it would be great. Thanks for your work and keep going
Brother! I remember your motto from a previous video, “perfect practice makes practice perfect”!! Love it👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 love your channel and content!!, by the way, how are you feeling? Are things getting better for you? Your my hero, you wasn’t feeling up to par, however, you still went to the knife show, hang in there brother 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️👊🏿🙏🙏 sending prayers your way for reenforcement / back up!
I have been waiting for this. Thank you.
This was awesome info! Thanks so much for this. 👍
I copied the way you sharpened on the diamond plate, heel to tip lifting my elbow at the belly, but then did the same movement for the strop, rather than reversing the movement as you did to go tip to heel and dropping my elbow. Do you think it matters? IOW when you switched to a strop at 14:20 you said “we are following the same technique of starting high and dropping the elbow,” but to be picky that was a different technique, as you had been raising your elbow as you reached the tip but now were _starting_ at the tip/belly.
20 years ago every other Bark River made was a recurve or had some slight curve to the blade (Slither, etc.) and I bought a lot of them. I usually use a rounded diamond rod to try and get to the inside curve.
In any case this is a super valuable tutorial, thank you. 👍
The correct use of force versus pressure 😄, big respect lol.
Awesome video! Help a lot with my drop point pocket knife
The Spartan is a surprisingly good knife that I've daily-carried far more often than seems possible. There's something about the profile that makes it disappear in my pocket. It cuts great and the weight of it allows it to effectively cut large limbs and saplings while still being able to slice more delicate items. Despite this usage and its pedestrian steel, the blade never suffers damage beyond that which can be remedied with a regular sharpening.
It does have an Achilles heel: the thumb stud is held on with the most ridiculously tiny 2mm screw. I've snapped it once already (to be fair, I was using the stud as a hammer at the time).
Thanks for the tips on sharpening recurves!
Always good videos!
Gawd I really need this one. Thank you.
Very informative as always 👍
This was a great video.
I have Cold Steel Rajah III which is almost the same knife, except with shorter handle. It has server me well several years already whether I'm camping and splitting wood or doing regular house chores. It even works as small axe, and because the blade is thick, I don't need to worry about it breaking when hammering it.
Not the smallest that's true but still the best EDC in my book.
Thank you for teaching me how to sharpen my knives better brotha
Was waiting for this ❤
I'm a beginner & only have a set of those cheapo ceramic stones - I bought them & then found your channel & had a DOH! moment. But that's what I have for now - in Australia diamond stones are quite a lot more than the US. e.g. that Sharpal 162N comes in around $140.
I do have a curved blade knife & was wondering how much rounding the stone edge can be done with the 'resurfacing' stone that came in the kit I got. I'm presuming it would work OK for that as it is to re-flatten the stones after they hollow out.
Also, I haven't found one yet but do you have a video on sharpening serrated edges? I have a general purpose knife with wide serrations - one of those "this will cut anything, shoes, rubber etc. & still slice a tomato" - & I thought it could be good practice to improve skills.
On that, can a bread knife blade (fine serrations) be sharpened? I have an old English one, serrated one side with small 'blocks' that are not serrated. It might be a good restoration project, although I am not at all sure how it might be done. It's clearly been used for other than bread as the serrations are quite worn.
I saw a request for this on the last video and I thought it was a great idea as well.
For me its narrow stones if they fit or using wooden or metal dowels wrapped in sandpaper as I do them very rarely and usually they are not supersteels so sandpaper will work fine. Great tips throughout the vid on what's most important when sharpening. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
Another good method is using the Worksharp Ken Onion edition with the blade grinding attatchment with stiff belts. Have had good results with that!
Just my ¢2. Hope it helps! And keep up the good work! You are one of my references I send to people for sharpening, then Engineers perspective, and Burrfection, though his are good and he has a lot of reviews of whetstones, they are a touch behind yours though as He does not use the microscope. There are a few others such as Sharpen Right Services that is really good, Currys Custom Cutlery, and Alexandria's Knife Sharpening and Laser Engraving.
Sincerely,
JS
Hey! Absolutely love these sort of videos, extremely helpful, got into sharpening because of you haha, and I'd love a guide on hand sharpening an axe/hatchet and how one would go about doing that, I've got an axe sharpening puck a while before discovering your videos and never even got it to hair shaving sharp on my husky axe, saw a ~6 year old video of yours where you use a belt sander to sharpen your axe to an impressive sharpness but I'm not really in a spot to get a belt sander, and probably not so for a while. Would appreciate the help!
I wish i had seen this yesterday, thanks btw man
I use the thumb rule wile sharpening on rods. I hold the rods at my chest pointing down 45deg places my thumb on the spine of the knife, index on the rod lookin my wrist at the angle and use the elbow to pull the knife across the rod. First diamond than ceramic and finish on a honing steel. And yes I know your opinion on the honing steels but for me it works very well giving my edges some bite. Like your videos a lot!! Stay safe and healthy!!
Thank you for the video so soon after the other one!
I also appreciate you doing it with such a crazy re-curve knife, makes using this technique much less daunting to try on my Santoku lol
I use the Hapstone RS and i purchased the Venev Ursa and Gemini series stone they are 6 inch by a half inch and the Gemini are curved. Great video!!!
When you were stropping at the end, from the angle and lighting you looked so much like William Fichtner.
Thanks for all your great sharpening videos
spyderco sharpmaker and lansky rods are great options for recurves.
Appreciate this video. I’ve been using my torso for curved edges, but the firm wrist is pivotal. Thanks for that.
Side note, i noticed that higher-end steels end up with flatter edge profiles for some reason, maybe difficulty associated with material. When it isn’t dollar store knives, you’re usually using your high-end blades, so it’s all good. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Super helpful tip !
Similarly, every teacher knows the secret to writing on chalk/dry erase boards is to lock the wrist and write from the elbow.
Alex out here shattering dreams...
Since I mostly just strop, these videos are a nice refresher for the day when I have to sharpen again.
Which will probably be either because of a accident, or because some factory edges leave much to be desired.
Otherwise I managed to strop some daily use knifes back to shaving sharp for years now.
I think the trick is that I made a strop to my liking and I found out that I need to use high pressure, despite videos saying low pressure.
I tried low pressure and nothing happens. Medium does work a little bit on very low edges, but not on high ones like scandi grinds.
Maybe it's the definition of pressure that is different to people.
For me low is like using a fountain pen, it's own weight does the thing.
Medium is like a pencil, where the pressure needs to be enough to leave a mark, but not so much, that it dents the paper.
And high is like using a ballpoint pen on my scale.
Thanks for the tips on sharpening recurves, Alex.
Could you possibly do a video sometime on how to properly sharpen and strop a hollow ground razor?
I have a razor that I would like to put into working order. Thanks !
You are a master.
I agree, recurves are strictly aesthetic for pocket knives, but on 10+ inch choppers? So nice... When that spot where you say pressure increases while sharpening/stropping bites into a limb while chopping 🤌🏽
This video, what a treat !
The way a simple mortal like me sharpens and reprofiles those recurves is : strap a Spyderco triangle Sharpmaker CBN stone, to a cheap diamond stone for guided systems, and mouting that on a TSProf...
Setup looks goofy, but it works well, I was able to effortlessly reprofile a Victorinox curved blade pairing knife (those ones for peeling) at 13°/side, and also a Karambit, and without rounding that very delicate tip.
The end result is great and much better than just using the triangle sharpmaker which is just the wrong tool for any kind of serious reprofiling imo, but now that those edges are set, it is a dream to maintain those knives on the sharpmaker brown/white rods normally, using the 15° setting.
Any kind of cylinder-shaped stone, diamond honing rod, can do this job very well
For stropping I thought of taking some jeans or leather, and wrapping it/gluing around a wooden rod, then it's possible to use any fancy polishing compound of your liking, any thoughts on that ?
Ask and ye shall receive. The man reads his comments (like you said you do). Great video! Thank you!
As always alex makes it look so easy. I sure wish he would explore straight razor honeing.
Although, I have found a couple awesome individuals on the topic. Cajun shave and dapper shaves in case anyone is interested.
Been needing this video! Thanks.
damn large sharpal stone is sold out in canada , love your content. keep it up wish you the best success
This is just motivating me to get a fixed sharpening system. It takes way too much practice to consistently keep an angle like this whilst rotating on a different axis
I'd say this knife ends conversations, too.
Insert obvious "this is knife" joke.
But yeah, that was my thought exactly 😂
Recurves are where for the average person things like the Spyderco sharpmaker are the easiest way i think. (It takes a very long time, maybe not with very soft steels)
I did use the rods of my spyderco sharpmaker on a stoneholder for something like that, because i didn't want to screw up the corners of my flat stones.
Did work way faster than the normal way of using the sharpmaker interestingly.
Also, i think you don't need to switch to a flat stone for the belly, it may be easier for most though.
Over all i am kind of glad that you as a pro also have no magic thing for recurves that i have missed or not thought about over the years. The "recurved" blades i have to sharpen the most are old kitchen knives who look like the butchers knives that are used to debone meat. The handle side of their blade is equal to a recurve for sharpening purposes.
I hope you are doing well. I'm thankful for your expertise on sharpening. I love freehand sharpening. Could you make a video on sharpening double edge blades ? Blessings to you and your family.
love the t shirt, ❤
Great videos man!!
I’ve always wanted to be able to sharpen knives and I hope to learn from you. I’ve got a couple curved 8 & 10 inch breaking knives and the curved blade leaves me unsure how best to sharpen it. Should I use the technique you use in this video? Thanks for all the great content and advice.
Great video as always Alex. I also think you already did one, for recurves, way back when, separating the sharpening for different parts of the blade, if I remember correctly 🤔. But meanwhile I had an idea for you, I can't test at the moment (in summer we are at the country house - my jewelry eye glass and big stones are at home, not with me), and the idea is: i have improved the sharpening thanks to you, again, by paying attention to burr removing. Have you thought about trying to shear the burr faster and more easily by running the secondary bevel on the corner of the stone, along the bevel and backward from the blade as in stropping?
Very interesting video. I recently bought a Kizer knife that has a lot more recurve than it seemed in pics. Wish you lived nearby. I have an MKM Vincent that has a very short, but tall MagnaCut blade thats basically all belly. A friend put a semi mirror polish on it for me, and dulled it first. I was going to get it DLC coated, but decided to leave it as is. I need to try and put an edge back in it, but its a little intimidating. I have the Sharpal stone you recommend, but also have a Worksharp benchstone that has a feature that allows it to tip to help with bellies. I need to screw up the courage to give it a shot.
hi what is your general opinion about dmt dia stones? just the corners or is there more missing to hope for? greeting :)
could you please do a stropping guide? Like what compounds are and how important are they and if you can use the strop without it and maybe like if there is any household stuff could be used as a substitute?
Hey Alex, thanks for another amazing video that I really needed because I've got to clear a riverbank with a scythe this week for my Dad 😖, and a *really sharp* blade will make a crappy job far more tolerable... 💪😬
In the past I've used 1200-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper staple-gunned to a piece of old broomhandle, but I think this way'll be much safer than that 🩸🩹🙄, hopefully...?
-But I don't know if I can swing my creaky old shoulder or beaten-up old upper body quite that far any more, so it'll probably get done by working my way along the blade in 5 or 6 stages every time it needs some attention, but I guess I'll find out soon, huh?
Huge thanks and respect from the UK 🇬🇧, and I hope your health's improving now buddy because you look, and sound, much better 😊👍
Yes! Ty!!!
Thanks! I have a pretty new recurb and have been thinking about what the hell to do with it when the time comes.
Thank you!
what about karambits that have a whole curved blade? is it just the same thing but on the corner of the stone?
Yep, its just like working just the recurve section on this blade.👍
I've got a few knives with recurved edges. Norton sell 4" long 1/2" diameter stones in several grits - all pretty course. Aliexpress sells 3000 grit ruby stones 4" x 1/2" for $4. And then a ceramic rod for the final step.
Nice video can you make a video On how to sharpen a tanto stile knife pls
Dmt has a new curved diamond sharpener. It was easy to sharpen my spyderco dodo, my edc for many years.
a very helpfull video.
diffrent question: you mentioned that you make your own stropping compound. i get 0.1-1micron diamond abbrasive from a friend and wondered how to bind it. do you have any tips?
props to you and well done
I first tried learning sharpening on a S30V Kershaw Blur. It has a slight recurve to it, so it was difficult, but then when I switched to sharpening kitchen knives, and it was all so easy lol
Moral of the story, if you start with something that punishes you for making mistakes, it will force you to make good habits and help keep you from developing bad ones.
Good video, note of interest that is a baby Kopis, most Cold Steel knifes are weapons .a recurve will leave a nasty wound like a kriss, or a Vaquero . a slight pain to sharpen and clean.
Knives are only tools unless they are used as a weapon.
@@9mmmike642I got picked up for PI in 2023. I had a 3 inch recurve and a small thin mulittool with a razor blade inside. Cop acted like I was carrying an AK or AR. Despite EVERY knife or blade gravity or sword os perfectly legal to carry in Texas. And they are tools to me.
Great info on sharpening these recurves. I love my Spartan. but it is a B to sharpen. Take Care and Stay Safe.