HOLY CRAP: Razor Sharp Edgemaking System

[tlbradford]

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/complete-razor-sharp-system

I don't do this much at all, but I had to share this. I always believe in knives and broadheads that can shave hair by getting close to it.  For years this has been being diligent to make sure I don't ruin an edge and touch them up often to make the sharpening quick and easy.  Since I was a kid I used the diamond sticks with the 25 and 22 degree angles.  I had been shooting German Kinetic Silver Flames for the past 8-9 years.  I always touch-upped the blades on the sticks, and with a leather strop. 

I was looking for a simpler way to sharpen the convex edge of the Silver Flames since I had been practicing a ton with them since I drew Spring Bear.  My neighbor had given me a Lansky system, not the broadhead sharpener, and it was tedious.  I looked at the KME broadhead sharpener and it looked interesting, but I would have had to buy a full set of stones as well as the sharpener.  I did a ton of online research and over and over the same systems came up for commercial sharpeners.  Sanding belts or paper wheels.  I went with the paper wheels after finding out that a local store in Spokane carried them.  (On a side note Woodcraft has an amazing array of tools, and sharpening systems)  I installed them on my bench grinder this evening and am blown away about how easy and fast this system is.

I started very slowly and carefully with a Spyderco knife I used for work for several years.  It was extremely dull since I had broken the tip and subsequently abused it as a garage knife.  10 passes on the grit wheel and 10 passes on the slotted wheel per side, and it was razor sharp again.  Those passes took about 5 minutes since I was extremely slow.  I was so amazed I grabbed every hunting knife within reach.  I had a few that hadn't been touched up since last big-game season.  Those took 12 passes total on the paper wheel and were shaving.  A fillet knife that had been retired returned to shaving after a few minutes.  I hit 6 broadheads in about a minute and a half each.  There are a bunch of youtube videos and they are all true.

Feel free to ask me any questions.  A couple of tips.  I reversed the base on my bench grinder, so the wheels spun up.  It makes it easier to hold the proper angle.  A wider spacing between wheels would make life nice on the longer knives like a filet knife.  That is about it.  I just wanted to share an amazing product.

[elkaholic123]

I have been using these wheels for 30 years, the first time I sharpened a knife for my mom she cut her finger cutting tomatoes, when I was a horseshoer I would sharpen clients knives for a buck a piece.

[tlbradford]

I have been using these wheels for 30 years, the first time I sharpened a knife for my mom she cut her finger cutting tomatoes, when I was a horseshoer I would sharpen clients knives for a buck a piece.

I wish I had heard of them earlier.  It is such a time saver.

[Duckslayer89]

Do you already have the grinder then add their wheels? I don't have a grinder but I'm interested in the whole system I have a few knives that are super dull I would like to re sharpen

[tlbradford]

Yes, the bench grinder is seperate.  A grinder that takes 6" wheels, a 1/2" or 5/8" arbor, and that turns a minimum of 3600 rpm (this is basically your spec for every average grinder) is what this particular model fits.  You need to make sure you can pull the shield and guards off the grinder.

[Skyvalhunter]

Is there an attachment to keep it at the desired angle every time?

[Duckslayer89]

Is there an attachment to keep it at the desired angle every time?

 

[tlbradford]

No.  I used a protractor and marked the grinding wheels at 22 and 25 degrees.  I eyeballed where to hold the knife when I keep it perfectly horizontal to the ground.  On the grit wheel I used the 22 degree, but give it one swipe on each side at 25.  Then I hit it at 25 on the slotted wheel.  There is a video on youtube where a guy built a metal dowel and clamp to guide him.  I just eyeball it.  Like I said, I practiced with a knife I did not care about.  I have been sharpening mower blades, drill bits, and tools, on a grinder for 25 years, and knives for 30.  I feel really comfortable using a grinder and freehanding.  As long as you are close to the intended narrow angle, and finish with a slightly steeper angle, a few degrees won't matter.  You will get a razor edge that will hold during use.  If I get some time tonight I will shoot a quick video, but there are plenty on youtube.  You could build a guide fairly easily.  At this time in my life when my hands are still pretty steady, I wouldn't want anything getting in my way from moving the blade smoothly and continuously over the wheel. 

Again, I am no expert.  I just did this last night for the first time and wanted to share my results because I was pretty blown away.  Maybe elkaholic can add some tips since he has been doing this much longer than I have.

[Magnum_Willys]

Has anyone compared this method to worksharp?  Maybe not because if you are using either you probably had no need for the other ??

[tlbradford]

I looked at the work sharp products, but have not tried them.  For the expense I don't know if I would trust the plastic and internal parts to last?  That is what swayed me from trying it out.  The other thing I did not like about the work sharp is having one hand to operate it, and one hand on the blade.  Of course you have guides, so maybe it would be something you would get used to. 

Supposedly you get hundreds of sharpenings on the grit wheel before having to redress it with grit, and the same with the slotted paper wheel.  That is 15-20 years for my personal use, but I have a feeling I will be doing all my friends sharpening from now on.

[Machias]

Youtube time!  How about you make us a quick video...I'm a visual learner kind of guy. 

[tlbradford]

Youtube time!  How about you make us a quick video...I'm a visual learner kind of guy. 

I will try.  Last time I did a youtube video it took like 18 hours to upload.

[tlbradford]

I tried to do one and it isn't uploading, so I found a guy that uses the same method as me.  Skip to the 7 minute mark and then 15 minute mark unless you are interested in the belt grinder.

[fisheral87]

Used a wheel on our knives in AK for cutting fish, It worked very well IMO.

Al