Chainsaw file for knife sharpening? (WSK)

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inoutthru

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Jul 17, 2011
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Can a chainsaw file be used to sharpen the curved & straight edged portion of blades?

I noticed recently the "gut hook" section of my Tracker knife needs sharpening & the chainsaw files seem like the correct size to fit in that small section of the blade.

Which got me to thinking that if it can sharpen the hook section, could it be used on the other sections as well?

I like the idea of having a thin file tucked in my back back for sharpening the tools I use while out in the wilderness.

I'm just worried it will remove too much metal without adequately sharpening?

Thanks for any advice :)
 
A chainsaw file while feeling smooth is actually much to agressive to really sharpen with ,unless you use one as a backer for some fine (600/800/1000) grit sandpaper.Like you worry it will remove too much metal and leave a super course at best edge. Like Zanuha said ceramic or diamond would be much better and ceramic rod can be found for great prices online.
 
^ That.

Although if it fits particularly well and you're looking for the best compact you can get, you could always just roll up a couple strips of wet-or-dry around it, rubber band it together, and stick it in your back pocket. The sandpaper can be used wrapped around the file, or separately on a flat surface for sharpening the straight portions of the blade. Personally, I'd just get myself a decent ceramic rod. You shouldn't need to sharpen the gut hook while you're out in the woods, although if you're going to be doing a lot of work, it might be worth carrying something to brush up the edge a bit.
 
you can use a leather cord with some polishing compound or rouge applied to strop the gut hook. if you have a cordless dremel tool you can make a 2" leather disk to buff the guthook with also.
 
Hey, now I'd never thought of that one! I'd considered folding leather the way I do to hand-strop serrations, but I hadn't considered cord. I'll bet paracord would make a useful field-expedient method as well, with a little compound of some kind. Bank mud, if you really needed it.
 
Hmmm... Now that I'd have to see to believe, that's a pretty high benchmark. :D

You've convinced me to try out the paper wheels, by the way. I'm ordering up a set of the narrow ones for serrations where my belt can't effectively reach.
 
okay, thanks guys. it seems I will be ordering some ceramic or diamond rods soon. just another question arises now?

would ceramic or diamond rods be better for sharpening the blade overall?

Thanks once again, I learn something new each time I read the forums here. I'll be reading up on these compounds & I never knew I could use sandpaper to sharpen blades!
 
In very general terms, that depends on what kind of edge you're after. Diamonds cut much faster, but leave a rougher surface. This is a very large generalization.
 
Komitadjie, I'm generally after a edge that is moderately easy to attain & will hold up to anything I throw at it :) Now actually getting it is the problem. I don't mind taking some good time getting the blade sharp, so would ceramic be a good bet to achieving a better overall edge?

In the past I've used double sided asain stones, a home depot stone, and most recently a "smith" brand double sided diamond from wal mart. I think I'm okay at getting a working mans edge & use my fathers old utility belt to slide the knife up & down it a few time to clean the blade up. Stropping?

As far as a razors edge. No, not yet, hopefully a rod will fix this for me. I'm very patent when it come to attaining that.
I'm hoping I can use only the rod for all my sharpening needs? is that possible?
 
inoutthru, if you ever want to get a razor sharp edge check out the paper wheels. check out my website and the vids i have posted of knives i sharpened.

komitadjie, i have probably forgotten more stuff than most people know, and that includes sharpening methods. some i keep to myself as my trade secrets since they are my timesaving methods :D.
 
That's going to be a real challenge. If you're looking for something like that that's capable of a tad more sharpening without being massively expensive, take a look at the Spyderco Sharpmaker. It's quite decent for the price, and will very easily maintain an edge. The triangular "rods" can also be used in hand to sharpen things like the gut hook on your blade.

The paper wheels, a belt, or an EdgePro/WEPS are also very good options, but not really portable persay.
 
All good info guys, the edge I am looking for & the methods to achieve it need to fit into my camelback. I'm trying to keep a open mind about sharpening, & I love the idea of actually doing it by hand with one or several tools. Using a paper wheel or belt sander is something I'd consider someday, I just want to become proficient doing it by hand. Granted the tracker knife is not regarded well for sharpening.

And of all the blades I've used over the years, (all being stainless) the material the tracker is made from is standing up much better than the stainless, but is much harder to sharpen. I get the trade off. Also the blade shapes are not exactly a beginners best bet at sharpening.

I think I'll be ordering a few ceramic & a few diamond rods to start packing around with me.

Thanks guys, again I keep learning more and more with each visit. I just need to put the keyboard down now, pick up the stones, and continue sharpening by hand :) any way to make your own 15 or 20 degree angle guide that can help out getting the blade just right?

Again, thanks.
 
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