Inexperienced Stupid Knife Question

[LuxLuthor]

I will definitely be approaching this from a beginner's level. I don't understand why various sharpening angles are used, but this Lone Wolf knife appears to be a fairly narrow edge when I compare it to other kitchen knives. Maybe they discuss that on the DVD that comes with it.

How come more of you who have large knife collections have not gotten this system?

 

[Th232]

Personally, I've used a Spyderco Sharpmaker and never had any reason to look for anything else. That's just me though, and YMMV.

Regarding edges, there're two main characteristics for me, the angle and how toothy it is.

The narrower the angle, as you put it, the better a cutter it will be. However that means there's less steel behind the edge and so it will also be more fragile. How fragile will depend on several things like the steel type and heat treatment. Also note that the edge can only take you part of the way, the blade's grind is also a fairly big consideration.

How toothy an edge is was described pretty well by Raoul, it really depends on what you're cutting.

Hope this helps.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I started out using Crock Sticks which is nothing more than large size Lansky.

It depends on you holding the knife just so to the sticks.

Now I use a Sheffield Pocket Steel free hand and sometimes one of the sticks free hand.

I can't get them so sharp they scare the hair off but many of them will go through paper like a hot knife through butter.

And the steel rides in my shirt pocket for jobs away from home.

I hope to get a set of Grizzly Paper Wheels for the knives that need more as re-profiling is not one of my strong suits.

 

[Oddjob]

Knives are like flashlights... buy one and then you are hooked. Although my buying stopped after I got my Sebbie I still every now and then have the urge to get more. I'd like to get an EdgePro one day but since I only need to maintain my edges and not reprofile them I'll hold off.

 

[Kingfisher]

I say if a SAK fit's your needs - that's all you need.

 

[kwkarth]

I've seen info on stropping, and several other systems, but once I saw what the edge was on this Lone Wolf US45, I don't think I could go back to the land of ignorant bliss...where I actually thought the Samarai Shark was THE answer...I mean Billy Mays told me it was, and look where he is today! Oh wait....

LOL! I love what he does to that loaf of bread and tomato.

Some time we're going to have to talk about kitchen knives!! In preparation, check out Kershaw / Shun knives...😀

 

[Jagged]

I have enough knives (both custom and production) that I could probably sell them and use the proceeds to buy a nice car... I'm now trying to avoid doing that with flashlights...

I have a William Henry Carbon Fiber (model 10 I think) that I carry daily at the office. Great choice for me at the office as it is light weight and I never notice it. It isn't my choice for heavy use; but you need more than one anyway. 😉

One piece of advice that I learned accidently... Handle several, buy a nice one that you really like, and then put some big scratches on it. That will greatly lower the resell value so you can stop worrying about the value and start actually using it. 😉

 

[kwkarth]

I have enough knives (both custom and production) that I could probably sell them and use the proceeds to buy a nice car... I'm now trying to avoid doing that with flashlights...

I have a William Henry Carbon Fiber (model 10 I think) that I carry daily at the office. Great choice for me at the office as it is light weight and I never notice it. It isn't my choice for heavy use; but you need more than one anyway. 😉

One piece of advice that I learned accidently... Handle several, buy a nice one that you really like, and then put some big scratches on it. That will greatly lower the resell value so you can stop worrying about the value and start actually using it. 😉

I have managed not to scratch any of my William Henry's yet, but I do EDC them.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Very nice collection of William Henry's. :twothumbs
Bill

 

[kwkarth]

Very nice collection of William Henry's. :twothumbs
Bill

Thanks Bill! Did you know that WH collaborates with Benchmade more than a little? We seem to have a real critical mass of knifemakers here in Oregon.

The William Henry knives are just so beautifully made, it's hard to resist.

Incidentally, the unit below is a full auto, ZDP-189 core damascus, mokame frame, and wooly mamoth bone scales and citrine stud, 09 of 10.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

How come more of you who have large knife collections have not gotten this system?

Money...or lack of, (without compremising my lifestyle. )

I figured it would go down in price maybee 🙁
But the years went by, the ££ dropped Vs $$ and The Edgepro went up in price

& Every time I had the ££, a new knife would be in my reach...I'd get into hotwires, or somebody would start the Ellephant collection mindgames...or such like, so I would spend all my $$$ on that

So I made do with what I had to hand...and used my hard work to get an edge.

Still looking at getting one from the US though.:green:

 

[LuxLuthor]

I'll let you know how it works starting with a novice.

 

[kwkarth]

I'll let you know how it works starting with a novice.

I'm sure it will work fine Lux!
Did you get the Edge Pro or the Apex system? Which model?

 

[LuxLuthor]

I'm sure it will work fine Lux!
Did you get the Edge Pro or the Apex system? Which model?

I got the Pro Kit 2 package. I thought seriously about getting the scissors attachment, but figured I could add that later if needed.

What do you use the polishing tapes for?

 

[Patriot]

What do you use the polishing tapes for?

It used for different levels of edge finishing Lux, since the tapes run finer than the stones. You'll need to attach them to the backs of aluminum or glass blanks.

 

[kwkarth]

I got the Pro Kit 2 package. I thought seriously about getting the scissors attachment, but figured I could add that later if needed.

What do you use the polishing tapes for?

What Patriot said! 😉 The tapes are sort of the modern equivalent of stropping.

 

[themclush]

I have a handful of knives from the major makers.
Current favorite is a "Twitch" from SOG. It is well made and opens at a touch. I don't believe it would be much use in a knife fight, but for those I carry a .45.

 

[LuxLuthor]

What Patriot said! 😉 The tapes are sort of the modern equivalent of stropping.

But I mean is it to get that final split a hair edge, or is it likely the stones will get it that far?

 

[kwkarth]

But I mean is it to get that final split a hair edge, or is it likely the stones will get it that far?

With the kit you have, you can get shaving sharp, but the tapes will let you sharpen up enough to split hairs lengthwise.

I started collecting knives back in the '60s, and back then, was a bit more steady with my hands, so I freehand sharpened all of them with just a Gerber folding steel. They were all easily shaving sharp. Now I doubt I could do the same thing. Your setup looks great because it maintains the exact angle from start to finish. That's the critical piece of the puzzle. You should be able to touch up a knife in a couple of minutes with that and like they say, a five second touch up on a fine ceramic stick will be all you need most of the time.

Very cool!

 

[commodorewheeler]

I have never bought a "major" knife. I think the only knives I have ever bought was a Swiss Army and a Rapala fishing filet knife. Sometimes I read some posts in this section, and I try to figure how I would use a nice knife. It's hard to imagine having it in my pocket all the time, and I can't imagine using it as a defensive weapon....I'd surely poke my own eye out somehow. I'm more of a run than fight kind of a guy, and have never been in a fight in my life.

Do you guys get them to a large degree as an admiration of the quality/workmanship....almost being like a shelf queen?

I collect knives in large part because I admire the craftsmanship that goes into a handmade piece, but I carry and use a small percentage of my collection as well. I'm not a big self-defense kind of guy either, but a well made custom knife makes a great tool to have around.