Hawkbill blades - how to sharpen freehand?

Casares

Casares

Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
341
Anyone got any tips on how to sharpen hawkbill blades freehand, i.e. without using one of the Sharpmaker type things?

I always seem to find this very awkward and end up over-sharpening the tip, which weakens its edge and can change the shape of the blade over time.

any suggestions ?
 
You use a ceramic rod or something like the DMT serration sharpener and just follow the curve
 
as an alternative to the DMT sharpening kit (I have another manufacturer that I swear by), anyone have suggestions for a semin round sharpening device? I'm very much a fan of karambits, but dont like to use it because I like my knives SHARP all the time, but flat stones dont work.. the DMT curved blade "stone" looks great, but , I'm not interested in buying the DMT kit
 
Try using a dowel with wet dry sand paper with a variety of grits. Use the type with self adhesive or clamp it to the dowel. Great alternative and cheap.
 
orthogonal1 said:
For rounded blades, I use Spyderco Pro-file rods. Medium and fine are available.
Click to expand...


the pro file rods are flat, correct? thats the part that I'm trying to get away from as a flat stone regardless of size, stil sharpens two points at one time, compared to something round or semi round making maximum blade contact


the ONE thing i feel that make the karambit stil blades unique is the way in which they are used to cut, which is generally from tip to base, so I'm assuming all of you sharpen in that same direction?
 
gotcha, thank you for the clarification.. I didnt notice that detail before when I was looking at that site, but then again, that page didnt present itself at the time :-D
 
I use a round diamond stone when needed then move to my schrade HS-1 honesteel turned up on edge. I tend to use the edge of my honesteel for sheepsfoot blades aswell, becuase they will be reprofiled over time if sharpened like a clip or drop point blade.
M_M
 
anyone know how to re shape a stone/hone? I'll flat out modify the shape of my stone if I have to , to fit my blade perfectly...
 
Spyderco has a set of specialized sharpening stones called the 701 Profiles. They have several geometric configuations on them but most importantly they have 2 different angled radius. I have great luck using them on fully serrated blades and plain edged hawkbills both.

Plus the 701 Profiles are ceramic files that will sharpen all kinds of different cutting edges. I have even used them on Recurves before. Give them a try. You can get them usually on Ebay and the Spyderco Factory Outlet store usually has sets of them for a good price. They are a great sharpening tool. Ask Michael Cook if you don't believe me ;)
 
Butane, if your serious about shaping a stone you could use a throw away bastard file and a vise to rough shape it then finish it with a 8" block masonry brick and some sand to freehand finish it. Have fun.
 
native I may just try it, basically I have 6 inch stones, I was just thinking about rounding one edge to be used for the karambit blade and still having the flat part for normal blades :-D


I'm curious tho, if my fine stone wil be easy to shape or not because of its density




and JD< I believ I looked at the 701's before, but arent they part of a sharpening system? if I'm going to buy stone, I want just the stones, since I have a sharpening system I already prefer
 
oh, one other thing, as I have yet to sharpen my blade, in my head, I can only make sense of sharpening it by drawing it from tip to base of the cutting edge, rather than base to tip of the cutting edge as is usually performed... right track... yes/no?
 
Native Justice said:
Try using a dowel with wet dry sand paper with a variety of grits. Use the type with self adhesive or clamp it to the dowel. Great alternative and cheap.
Click to expand...
this is what I do, it's best to keep the cutting edge at 90degrees to the rod your sharpening with.
 
Butane, it's easier to just get a rod and sharpen, than to reform a stone. Cutting abrasives is NOT fun and wont work better than a ceramic rod or diamond rod
 
garageboy understood, I'm really probing the forum for options before I make a choice to stick to one, I'm just throwing out my own ideas here
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top