Hi all,
I recently bought a "nice" kit from RDA and have attempted to sharpen a few of my knives, but with limited success. I'd be interested in some help and tips, preferably in person, on how best to get a razor sharp edge, with the kit I have.
Can anyone at RDA help me if I come in?
Thanks in advance.
I'm not from RDA but I'll throw my 2¢ in.
What type of knives are you sharpening and which sharpening kit did you buy?
In hind sight once the blade is dull it's going to take time and patience to get a new edge on it. The key to a sharp blade which I know everyone has neglected to do at one time or another is to not allow a new blade to get dull.
I've been using a low powered electric Chef Choice sharpener for blades that had completely lost their edge. In order to keep my blades sharp, I use diamond stone sharpeners of various grit to sharpen most blades up to about 8". For a quick touch up on kitchen knives I have a 12" diamond stick which I keep near the sink. Whenever I'm done cleaning up, I try to always touch up all the blades I used with the diamond stick. I've been able to maintain a set of high grade kitchen and steak knives for 30-40 years.
If you have any blades that are extremely dull or abused, you might want to check with you local independent hardware store such as an Ace or True Value NOT Home Depot, Menards etc.. Some usually offer knife sharpening services. If you have an extremely good or expensive knife or set of knives and decide to try a professional service be sure they wet grind and or wet hone the blades. Once you have them sharpened by a pro, it's up to you to maintain them.
** Once they're sharp use extreme caution when using your blades. If a clearer explanation of this statement is needed, I can post a few images of my scars on my hands along with a knuckle I should of but didn't have sutured.
(05-05-2015, 05:46 PM)Brian S Wrote: [ -> ]I'm not from RDA but I'll throw my 2¢ in.
What type of knives are you sharpening and which sharpening kit did you buy?
In hind sight once the blade is dull it's going to take time and patience to get a new edge on it. The key to a sharp blade which I know everyone has neglected to do at one time or another is to not allow a new blade to get dull.
I've been using a low powered electric Chef Choice sharpener for blades that had completely lost their edge. In order to keep my blades sharp, I use diamond stone sharpeners of various grit to sharpen most blades up to about 8". For a quick touch up on kitchen knives I have a 12" diamond stick which I keep near the sink. Whenever I'm done cleaning up, I try to always touch up all the blades I used with the diamond stick. I've been able to maintain a set of high grade kitchen and steak knives for 30-40 years.
If you have any blades that are extremely dull or abused, you might want to check with you local independent hardware store such as an Ace or True Value NOT Home Depot, Menards etc.. Some usually offer knife sharpening services. If you have an extremely good or expensive knife or set of knives and decide to try a professional service be sure they wet grind and or wet hone the blades. Once you have them sharpened by a pro, it's up to you to maintain them.
** Once they're sharp use extreme caution when using your blades. If a clearer explanation of this statement is needed, I can post a few images of my scars on my hands along with a knuckle I should of but didn't have sutured.
I have the very same electric sharpener. I sharpen my kitchen knives every time I use it. Every time! I had a manual one, but didn't use it as much.
(05-05-2015, 03:12 PM)ssphoto Wrote: [ -> ]Hi all,
I recently bought a "nice" kit from RDA and have attempted to sharpen a few of my knives, but with limited success. I'd be interested in some help and tips, preferably in person, on how best to get a razor sharp edge, with the kit I have.
Can anyone at RDA help me if I come in?
Thanks in advance.
Can you stop by Thursday night? Maybe we can take a look at it. Knive sharpening is an art.
Knife sharpening is really hard... I never really perfected it much.. I have given it a good go, but I should make a habit of trying to learn it. Let us know what you think of the kit or if any one has any particular recommendations.
(05-05-2015, 09:21 PM)mikereddot Wrote: [ -> ] (05-05-2015, 03:12 PM)ssphoto Wrote: [ -> ]Hi all,
I recently bought a "nice" kit from RDA and have attempted to sharpen a few of my knives, but with limited success. I'd be interested in some help and tips, preferably in person, on how best to get a razor sharp edge, with the kit I have.
Can anyone at RDA help me if I come in?
Thanks in advance.
Can you stop by Thursday night? Maybe we can take a look at it. Knive sharpening is an art.
I can try and make it Thursday night after work. I bought a Lansky kit with four different stones. It didn't come with a real useful instruction, so I went to the Lansky website. I get only a semi-fine edge but not razor sharp. Also, despite following the instructions, the hone often rubs up against the hand clamp; not sure that's normal, but seems to get in the way.
There are some knives that will never have that edge that is razor sharp.
I know that's true... Haha some of mine are garbage trying to get them very sharp but I like using them to practice on before trying my more expensive knives. What kind of knife are you working with photo?
Learning to sharpen a knife is a good skill to learn... Maybe RDA should have a free class on knife sharpening...
Would be nice, but it would also take a lot of time. But like Mike offered to have him bring it in, I think that's the best route for that. Maybe a quick demonstration when you buy one or something. But setting the time aside for a class would probably be stretching it a little? at least for free. lol
does red dot sharpen knives? every time i try it seems the knife gets more dull! lol
Could be a quality of the blade itself as well.. but some of the handheld sharpeners with the two round stones in a V shape will get the job done fairly well for starters. I usually use those and then a few times I've ventured to trying the stones or something of the sort. I was also tempted with and electronic one.. but figured it wouldn't be as efficient on pocket knives which would be mostly what I'd use it for.
(05-19-2015, 11:45 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: [ -> ]Could be a quality of the blade itself as well.. but some of the handheld sharpeners with the two round stones in a V shape will get the job done fairly well for starters. I usually use those and then a few times I've ventured to trying the stones or something of the sort. I was also tempted with and electronic one.. but figured it wouldn't be as efficient on pocket knives which would be mostly what I'd use it for.
i get it, i know the knife may not be the best quality in the world but it was something that the army issued when i was over seas that i just cant let go so i try to keep it as good as possible, its a gerber combat folder. may not be the most expensive thing but its a good sticker! lol i have even tried using my wifes little bar thing she uses for her chef knives.
Yeah those can be tricky if not done right.. which is why I usually default to the little ones with the V that you just drag the blade through.. doesn't take too long, requires no skill to speak of, and it gets it sharp enough that I can use it for a while without complaining! haha
(05-19-2015, 11:52 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah those can be tricky if not done right.. which is why I usually default to the little ones with the V that you just drag the blade through.. doesn't take too long, requires no skill to speak of, and it gets it sharp enough that I can use it for a while without complaining! haha
may invest in a little cheapy v one, my wife is great at sharpening knives but i have to much pride to ask her to do it for me! lol
(05-19-2015, 11:12 PM)nickdemo Wrote: [ -> ]does red dot sharpen knives? every time i try it seems the knife gets more dull! lol
We are talking about it.
(05-20-2015, 07:57 AM)mikereddot Wrote: [ -> ] (05-19-2015, 11:12 PM)nickdemo Wrote: [ -> ]does red dot sharpen knives? every time i try it seems the knife gets more dull! lol
We are talking about it.
It would be nice if we had a place to go for sharpening. Most manufacturers will re sharpen your knife for free but then you are without it for about three weeks. Be great to go and have it done either while you wait or a day or two.
(05-20-2015, 03:26 PM)Fireman Wrote: [ -> ] (05-20-2015, 07:57 AM)mikereddot Wrote: [ -> ] (05-19-2015, 11:12 PM)nickdemo Wrote: [ -> ]does red dot sharpen knives? every time i try it seems the knife gets more dull! lol
We are talking about it.
It would be nice if we had a place to go for sharpening. Most manufacturers will re sharpen your knife for free but then you are without it for about three weeks. Be great to go and have it done either while you wait or a day or two.
There is a guy who goes to the Grayslake farmers market in the summer and probably some of the other markets too. There is another one on Hwy C in Pleasant Prairie, just east of I-94. Can't vouch for either, just have seen their signs.
If you know any professional woodworkers ask them where they take their chisels and saw blades. Unlike the hobbyists they don't have time to sharpen their own.
(05-20-2015, 03:26 PM)Fireman Wrote: [ -> ] (05-20-2015, 07:57 AM)mikereddot Wrote: [ -> ] (05-19-2015, 11:12 PM)nickdemo Wrote: [ -> ]does red dot sharpen knives? every time i try it seems the knife gets more dull! lol
We are talking about it.
It would be nice if we had a place to go for sharpening. Most manufacturers will re sharpen your knife for free but then you are without it for about three weeks. Be great to go and have it done either while you wait or a day or two.
i agree, i am scared to send my knife out through mail, if there is any mess up ill loose it. i would feel much safer putting it in the hands of someone a shop who loves their job as opposed to going through 100 peoples hands through a carrier and half of them dont care.
Talk to Tim our gunsmith, and yeah, he can sharpen knives. Red Dot Arms will start sharpening knives. Hoping to start that for July 1st.