subject: The Best Way To Sharpen Your Hunting Knife - Lose The Headache [print this page] I overheard recently somewhere that sharpening an a hunting knife is involved and could not be done well unless you consult with a real professional.Well, after I heard that and I wanted to give myself a test, so I went ahead and gave it a try. In the end, I did sharpen my hunting knife and I got some magnificent results, here is the story of how I sharpened my knife.
I bought a product called a sharpening system, although it is called a "system" it is still a hand sharpening method, the system helps you to hold the knife at the correct angle so that the blade is correct for the type of use it gets.
According to these folks, here are the different angles that different blades should have.
1) Angle 11 degrees, Most narrow bevel, razor-sharp edge
Used for hobby blades, woodcarving instruments and specialty tools. Requires frequent sharpening.
2) Angle 15 degrees, Superior sharpness, For filet, boning and other thin, specialty blades.
3) Angle 19 degrees, Ideal for kitchen cutlery.
4) Angle 22 degrees, A wider bevel, more durable edge, for pocket knives, folding knives, fixed-blade field knives and serrated knife blades.
5) Angle 25 degrees, Widest bevel; longest lasting edge. For all utility cutlery, linoleum and electricians knives.
I selected the 22 degree setting as I was working on sharpening a pocket knife.
The system uses a T shaped piece of metal with holes cut in the top of the "T" at the precise distances that create the angle needed when a stone is held apart from the base of the "T" where the knife blade is held in place with a clamp.Basically what you do is clamp your knife to be sharpened to the bottom of the "T" with the blade out.Then you start with the course stone, there are three stones in the kit that I have, some come with five stones.
The stone is fixed to a metal rod that inserts in the correct hole in the top of the "T".You then place a thin coat of honing oil on the stone, hold the system with the knife in the palm of your hand and the stone on the top, you then push the stone against the edge of the knife, the rod keeping the angle just like you wanted.Count the number of times you push the stone against the edge make 8 to 10 complete passes with the stone against the edge.You do one side and then you turn the knife over and do the other side the same way, 8 to 10 times.Once this is done you change to the medium blade and do the same thing again, first on one side and then the other.
Once you are done with that part you must bear in mind to apply a thin coat of honing oil. Once have gone through the honing process you need to do it again but this time with the finer stone, this is the final and most important pass, it puts a truly refined edge on the blade, count the 8 to 10 passes on one side and then the other.I managed to accomplish a really refined edge, one that has handled very well in skinning game and preping it for later use, the edge had started to show some signs of dullness before the sharpening, but now it is like new again.So, don't let it be said that you can not sharpen your hunting knife, no matter what kind it is, you can, because I did.
