Sharpening Basics

I learned a lesson the other day.  Izzy kept telling me the knife didn't seem as sharp as it used too.   I had not used a strop in a while on the knife and it needed a little polishing.  At that same time I remembered some advice on sharpening that will help others in this situation.

Sharpening is used to repair the blade or reshape the bevel.  A strop is used to polish the blade to give it a very smooth cut.   Sharpening is only needed when the blade is damaged or needs to be reshaped.  Polishing with the strop should be done after every 30 minute carving session. Polishing is also needed after sharpening.

To sharpen a blade here are the basic steps:

1. Starting with a 200 to 320 grit sandpaper (grinding stone, diamond stone, whatever your preference is).  
2. Place the knife with the edge facing away, then lift the blade slightly and push the blade away from you. 
3. Turn the blade over to face the edge towards you, lift the blade slightly and pull the blade towards you.
4. Repeat until the desired bevel (angle) or the nicks are removed.
5. Move to 400 grit sandpaper and repeat steps 2-4 to remove visible scratches
6. Move to 600 grit sandpaper and repeat steps 2-4 to remove visible scratches
7. Move to the Strop

To polish using a leather strop here are the basic steps. 

1. Apply polishing compound to the strop.  This is readily available.  I use Flexcut Gold.
2. Position the blade with the edge facing away, then lift the blade slightly and pull the blade towards you. NOTE: the direction is opposite to sharpening.  This is because the blade can damage the leather.
3. Repeat motion about 50 times.
4. Reposition the blade with the edge facing towards you, lift the blade slightly and push the blade away.
5. Repeat motion about 50 times.

Note the two lessons learned here is that I had forgotten to: 1) polish the blade with a strop after each 30 minute carving session and 2) teach Izzy to polish the blade with a strop after each 30 minute carving session so I wouldn't have to.  Fortunately both are easily corrected within 10 minutes.

-Dave