Suggested Sharpening Tool

M

MTUTX85

Joined
Sep 19, 2022
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So it’s been a while since I posted here hope everyone is doing well. Life has been very busy.
So I have been carrying a Microtech D/E in bronze used the same knife sharpener I’ve always used and it beat the shit out of that coating. So my ignorance for not asking before hand and I will be sending it off and having fixed or replaced.

I am wanting to buy another Microtech. My local shop has a Ultratech DLC coated Hellhound blade. I have heard the stonewash blade finishes are not durable but aren’t the DLC coated blades supposed to be tough? Provided I purchase this blade, what knife sharpener should I use? I threw the old pos away outta anger and I’m using a Sharp Smart pull through on my American made Kershaws without any issues. This new life will be the new EDC.
Thanks all
 
1. Stonewash is just 'pre-beat to shit' treatment, it hides wear and tear well. It's not a coating, in laymen's term they just toss the blades in a barrel full of rocks and water, and roll it for a few hours.
2. DLC Is tough but eventually it will wear and scratch and any sharpening stone/sharpener will be tougher. I generally avoid any blade coatings for this reason, stonewash is my go-to.
3. Pull through sharpeners are dog poop, actually frozen poop might do a better job. Invest in a fixed angle sharpener and you'll never mangle another knife. If you can throw around Microtechs I assume a good sharpening system is not out of your budget, and also a good investment. Worksharp, DMT, and KME make good ones that won't break the bank. I recommend getting the diamond stone versions as they require zero maintenance, no need for water (although it helps), and they work very fast compared to most conventional stones. I also highly recommend watching a video on using whatever system you go with.
 
Kryme said:
1. Stonewash is just 'pre-beat to shit' treatment, it hides wear and tear well. It's not a coating, in laymen's term they just toss the blades in a barrel full of rocks and water, and roll it for a few hours.
2. DLC Is tough but eventually it will wear and scratch and any sharpening stone/sharpener will be tougher. I generally avoid any blade coatings for this reason, stonewash is my go-to.
3. Pull through sharpeners are dog poop, actually frozen poop might do a better job. Invest in a fixed angle sharpener and you'll never mangle another knife. If you can throw around Microtechs I assume a good sharpening system is not out of your budget, and also a good investment. Worksharp, DMT, and KME make good ones that won't break the bank. I recommend getting the diamond stone versions as they require zero maintenance, no need for water (although it helps), and they work very fast compared to most conventional stones. I also highly recommend watching a video on using whatever system you go with.
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Yeah this one was an expensive mistake that won’t happen again. Will start looking into your recommendations
 
It's not irreversible, plenty of people here offer professional sharpening services. Learning to sharpen stuff yourself is pretty easy, lot cheaper than entire systems too. Most of your sharpening needs can be covered by a $50 stone and a strop which you can even make yourself. I was sharpening my knives on a Falkniven DC4 pocket stone and a strop for the longest time before I got into fixed angle systems. I mainly use those to set an even edge as the factory edges are rarely even, then maintain using bench stones. There's plenty of tutorials out there on freehand sharpening, many techniques to achieve the same result, but the one thing in common is keeping the angle consistent as you sharpen - that's all there is to it.
 
I have the Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust. They are expensive, but it does a quick and easy job to sharpen blades. Check their web site for their sharpeners. I started with the Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite. They came out with the newer Professional version and I "just had to have one"!!!
I agree with the pull thru sharpeners. I think you get a better edge with stones and hones.
 
Those coatings are a pain. They dirty up the stone. To where you have to scrub it out.

Don't sharpen it dry or the coating makes a messy dust.
 
Sharpening by hand on a stone and stropping is so relaxing and therapeutic. In the beginning you may wear out a knife blade learning to develop the feel for consistency and feeling the edge. So obviously, use whatever you have at home that didn't cost you much to learn on. Watch the different techniques and styles of sharpening out there and find what works best for you. In time you will get your knives scary sharp. You'll learn which angles and which grits give you the best individual edge you prefer for the uses you put your knife to. Soon, you'll be sharpening while reading online or watching a video. You will find the muscle memory sets in as you relax. Or you can focus on the feel of the stone and the edge to get that extra bit of sharpness and precision. It's a skill that is passed down from generations and helps you to sharpen other tools you may have. I have 10"x3" diamond plates in 4 grits, but there are combo plates that combined with a strop will give you all the sharpness most of us need for daily use. Ultra Sharp is what I use and DMT is another good choice. There is a 400/1000, 8"x2.5" I gave my daughter for her knives that would work.
 
Grizzly3 said:
Sharpening by hand on a stone and stropping is so relaxing and therapeutic. In the beginning you may wear out a knife blade learning to develop the feel for consistency and feeling the edge. So obviously, use whatever you have at home that didn't cost you much to learn on. Watch the different techniques and styles of sharpening out there and find what works best for you. In time you will get your knives scary sharp. You'll learn which angles and which grits give you the best individual edge you prefer for the uses you put your knife to. Soon, you'll be sharpening while reading online or watching a video. You will find the muscle memory sets in as you relax. Or you can focus on the feel of the stone and the edge to get that extra bit of sharpness and precision. It's a skill that is passed down from generations and helps you to sharpen other tools you may have. I have 10"x3" diamond plates in 4 grits, but there are combo plates that combined with a strop will give you all the sharpness most of us need for daily use. Ultra Sharp is what I use and DMT is another good choice. There is a 400/1000, 8"x2.5" I gave my daughter for her knives that would work.
Click to expand...
Yeah I have an old gerber and Kershaw I can practice with
 
Will this work or should I go with the larger version that requires it to be wet? Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System
 
Yes, if you want to learn to sharpen free hand, it's got most of what you need. A cheap strop and compound to finish it off and maintain afterwards is also good to have. You can also make one at home if you happen to have a piece of rough leather, old jeans and a block of wood. People also just use blocks of wood with paste applied, but that also requires you to maintain angle, and is less forgiving than the former.

PS: When sharpening with diamond abrasives it's very important to apply very little pressure, let the diamonds do the sharpening. Applying too much pressure can rip the diamonds out and wear the stones prematurely. Out the box they seem pretty rough, there's a short break-in period where the more exposed particles will chip off, after that it should feel slightly smoother and with care should last a very long time. I've had my KME for 5 years now and it's still got plenty of life in it.
 
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