how do you sharpen a hawkbill?

S

siguy

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Aug 26, 2006
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i was going through the thread with all of those great pictures of hawkbills again, noticing the rounded tips and flattened edges, and was wondering if there was any sort of reasonable way to properly sharpen a hawkbill blade.

i remember in one of jackknife's stories he mentioned the groundskeeper using a razor sharp hawkbill maintained with a "round" stone that was kept in the overall's pocket.

can anyone shed any more light on any sort of round sharpening stone, or any other way to sharpen a hawkbill?

a thought that i thought of while typing the above is what about using the stones designed for use with woodworking gouges and chisels that have rounded faces, such as those here at leevalley:?
"water cones"
"traditional carver's slips"

(no affiliation with leevalley, links provided for the sole purpose of reference)
 
Hawkbills are the most prone to show bad wear over years of improper sharpening. If you use a flat stone you're garaunteed a rounded point and a nearly straight edge in a year or two os regular sharpening, Use a rounded surface like you suggested. I use a round diamond stone by EZ-lap and the rounded edge of my schrade HS-1 honesteel (a pity they are no longer made, they are great steels). Hope this helps.
MM
 
My old Klein has a flat edge and a beveled edge. As an electrician, that works good for stripping cable because it has a tendency to cut horizontally. A fine grit diamond stick will touch it up nicely. I'd use a Stanley knife for carpet,drywall,and general abuse. You can keep a hook blade in the handle, if you think you need one.
 
Things that work to sharpen hawkbills correctly (that I know of ;) )

1) Spyderco Sharpmaker - use the corners only

2) DMT Diafold serration sharpener (the round stick type)

3) Smith's pocket diamond hone (the round stick type)

4) EZ Lap diamond hone (the round stick type - are you sensing a pattern here? :D )

5) My 20 year old Indian Mountain ceramic hone with (you guessed it) round sides.
 
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