Knife porn thread

Has anyone watched much of Alec Steele's channel on YouTube? Strictly speaking he's a smith and toolmaker but has made a few nice knives as well. The vids are far better produced than most metalwork stuff on there.

I'm going to buy a whetstone. What level of grit should I go for? My knives are Henckels if that makes a difference and one is a Santoku style, will that need a different grit?

A combi stone is best for a first stone. Course on one side and finer o the other to finish. Something like 1000/400. Higher the number the smoother the finish. I wouldn't buy anything too pricey either.

If you get a single stone I would get around 1000 as you can maintain an edge on this without leaving a rough finish

I started with a 1000/3000 double sided one, which is great for edges that are still sharp and need touching up.

I now also have a 240/800 which I can use to bring back edges that are well and truly blunt.

I also have an 8000 which I only really use for my razors, but I have put a kitchen knife over it too, just for shits and giggles. I shaved today with my Kamisori (see shaving thread) that I took up to 8000 grit. Best shave ever.

Worth mentioning that I also have a Belgian Blue finishing stone, which I am slightly cynical about.

Now that I'm getting quite good at this sharpening lark, and am doing knives for friends, my thoughts are turning to launching a business. I'll have a day a week free come September and am going to offer a local, sharpen in your own home service. I might try for some local hipster restaurant trade as well.

I'm gonna couple it with basic bike maintenance, punctures, chain clean and oil, brake tensioning kind of thing. Aimed squarely at the "family bikes in the shed with a puncture" market. Am in two minds about this bit as to do it properly I'll need insurance; which means qualifications; which means outlay; which means fiscal risk.

Best thought on name right now is "Steels and Wheels", although "Sharp as Fuck" is also highly tempting.

Would love to hear any thoughts.

I'll cut you up
Blade Runner
Knife work if you can get it
A Slice of Life
Fausto Cutty

@Olly398 posted this Lansky sharpening kit, which I think is probably a good idea

They are all excellent suggestions. But what is "Blade Runner"?

I found these guys a while back

http://londonsharpeningservice.co.uk/domestic-service/

You're welcome to have a go on our Robert Welch knives. I do keep them sharpened and honed but they are likely due something more serious.

@artisanal_prison_shanks on Instagram

6 Attachments

Thats actually a former user but shhhh

Fuck me, how can they sharpen a knife in 2 minutes?

That's crazy talk.

It depends on how much work it needs and what they are using to do it. Most times I sharpen a kitchen knife it takes a few seconds, I don't wait till they need regrinding.
If I need to use a stone and oil it takes a while to get the stone, get the oil and lube the stone, but it only takes a moment to put an edge back on.
If they have a workshop set up to do it, and people coming in regularly, and the skills then two minutes is easy!

It's in the customer's house.

I have a well blunt Henckels. Would pay to to have it improved. Needs re-profiling.

Risk free if you want to have a go?

That's crazy talk!

Dunno, just liked the sound of it

Yeah it is catchy. Sounds like the title of a play.

I'd certainly like to have a go, but expect I might be into grind wheel territory with a complete reprofile. Or serious time on the 240 stone.

Where are you based?

I might try for some local hipster restaurant trade as well.

Walthamstow; i could drop it round though.

Give me a few weeks more practice...

It will wear your stone more than its worth. Plus don't assume the chefs inside 'hipster' restaurants are clueless about the tools they use. Though most won't own a decent knife or care for stones

Also investing or making anew adjustable sink bridge might be a good idea.