Improvised knife sharpener

[gyverpete]

I don't know if this is already common knowledge, but the top edge of a car window may be an effective knife shapener in a pinch.
I found this out today when at a drive-thru and looked at the edge of my rolled down window. The top edge is rounded and frosted. I've noticed this before, but now it dawned on me that this could be used like a ceramic stick. My Chive needed sharpening. I ran the blade against the frosted edge a few times on each side, then ran a key down each side like a steel. Shaving sharp again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I guess any safety/tempered glass edge that is frosted will work.

Anyone else try this?

Note: No, I didn't do this right in the drive-thru. I waited until I was back on the freeway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[PaulW]

While you were driving ? ? ?

 

[Deleted member 684]

You were sharpening your Chive while you were driving? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[gyverpete]

I was only joking about the driving part, hence the /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif , but the window really does work well for sharpening.

 

[sc1276]

if you look at the emerson web site using your car window is mentioned, ray mears also mentions it.
sc

 

[was_jlh]

Thanks, Gyverpete, never heard of this, gonna try it this weekend.

Joe

 

[gyverpete]

Your Welcome Joe. Let us know if it works for you.

sc, can you provide links to the two sources you mentioned?

 

[Gone Jeepin]

Good info... I will have to try it myself. I wonder if it will help on my Queen Stockman with D2 steel. That thing is a bear to sharpen if the grind from the factory is not too good.

 

[JackBlades]

I often use the bottom of a coffee mug (the un-glazed ceramic ring) when I'm at friends' homes who need, yet don't OWN a knife sharpener.

 

[Shag]

I have used the bottom edge of a toilet tank lid on occasion.

Shaun

 

[gyverpete]

Good ideas, guys! I'll give those a try too. Even though I have a good sharpener, a DMT Diamond Aligner, I now have alternatives for when it's not conveniently at hand.
In fact, I try to improvise other things too, whenever I can, so when it becomes neccessary to do so, I'll be prepared.
I think I'll start a thread for sharing ideas using everyday items to improvise solutions.

 

[sotto]

I've found plain old box cardboard to be an excellent substance for putting that final polish on an edge (a la leather strop). It also does a decent job (with a small amount of oil) of removing rust from a blade without scratching the blade. Also, I've found that one of those pocket-sized Gerber diamond sharpening rods can be a pretty good complete sharpening system if you remove the rod from the plastic holder, reverse it end-for-end, put it back in the plastic holder, and then use the smooth end of the rod as a burnishing tool to steel and polish the sharpened edge (very good Bug Out Bag sharpener!).

Thanks.

 

[draftaman]

You can also use the bottom of a Porcelain coffee cup/plate to touch up an edge. The unglazed portion of the cup/plate works well.

 

[glockboy]

hey! the car window work good,thanks

 

[gyverpete]

sotto,
I do use cardboard, and even just paper sometimes to strop. It revives a already nearly razor sharp edge pretty good. I was thinking of getting the Gerber pocket sharpener for the small B.O.B. I have in the car. I didn't yet have one in there so I used the window. I wasn't aware of the reversible feature. Thanks.

glockboy,
Your Welcome. I'm glad it works for you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm not very good at sharpening freehand, usually preferring a clamp and guide system, so I was amazed that the window worked. My very first try took my semi-sharp Chive to shaving sharp, but subsequent tries were less successful. Maybe the window frosting is not abrasive enough to sharpen but rather acts as a "steel" to realign an edge or I'm not maintaining the proper angle each time. Any thoughts on that?

 

[JackBlades]

Yes, it simulates a sharpening steel.

 

[gyverpete]

Thanks Jack.

 

[MR Bulk]

Cool suggestion Gyver, will have to try it later. Can't right now as I'm not on the freeway... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gyverpete]

Mr. Bulk,
No need to be wait to be on the freeway...
any main road or street will do, so long as it's not a dirt road or a potholed one. Ouch!
Though a bumpy road might be good for serrated edges. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif