Knife porn thread

(On second thought, it’s a risky funny-ish comment, have removed )

I ended up not taking @JurekB up on his very kind offer because I realised that I was being an utter fucking dunce.

The blade guide I was using was too big for the knife so the knife blade wasn't even in contact with the whetstone. All I was doing was grinding down the blade angle guide.

Once I realised this, I gave it a go with my best guess at 20 degrees and now have a knife so sharp that I got a bit carried away..my left forearm is now basically hairless.

On the subject of whetstones, my stones are really cheap. Given that technique seems to be the main indicator for success with whetstone sharpening and i'm still very much learning the ropes, could I expect better results if I bought some better whetstones in the future?

I'm quite happy to get some practice in with these stones but I was wondering whether I would get better results with better stones when i've improved my technique.

Genuine question - how are 800 grit whetstones that cost ££££ and 800 grit whetstones that cost £ different?

More durable? Does that matter if they last you 2 years instead of 10?
More consistent grit size, ergo faster to sharpen? How much faster?

Dunno if water stones are the same as whet stones, but I use Japanese water stones from King Stone, 800 and 6000 grit and they are better than any stones I've used before. I also finish the edges with two grades of leather strop. It might be worth mentioning that I attended a knife-sharpening class at Blenheim Forge last year. I've been sharpening blades all my life, with what I thought was a good technique, taught to me by my grandfather. But, having attended the class, has taken the keen-ness of my edges to a different level. I'm happy to share this knowledge with anyone who is interested.

No idea. But they do need looking after and re-flattening from time to time - depending on how much you use them.

I'd love to do a course. I will look into that. I've heard the Blenheim Forge ones are very good.

Is this your stone? https://blenheimforge.co.uk/accessories-1/king-8006000-combination-stone

Looking for a machete suggestion after losing my previous one in Richmond Park, needs to be suitable for one-handed use at 40mph so prefer a nice grippy handle...

If you're SE and fancied holding a brief masterclass in return for beer/forum donation I'd be hugely interested!

Nope. I have separate stones - I don't want the grit from one to contaminate the other. They also have dedicated water baths, as opposed to sharing one, for the same reason. The only thing that was disappointing about the course at Blenheim Forge, is that I was expecting fire, sparks, smoke and general industrial noise, of which there was none.

Lol.

On account of my abject shyness there is no way that this is ever going to happen.
However, I'm happy to give a 1-on-1 if you want to visit me in Forest Hill.

Considering I'm in Honor Oak it would be rude not to take you up on the very kind offer! Could you point me towards the type of stones/system you have? My current level of sharpening kit and ability is the 'drag back towards you' system and a passing familiarity with the restaurant-style sharpening steel...

I've mentioned the types of stones I use upthread - Made by King Stone an 800 and 6000 grit, I also use a stone holder - stops it from sliding around - other than that, 2 grades of leather strop for finishing, I don't use anything else. No guides, nuffink. I guess I'm lucky to have a feel for it / empathy with the material.

Dedicated water baths for different grits? Is this like the time I fell for a Sheldon April Fools article advocating different grease types for different parts of a bike chain?

Absolutely no.
Contamination by unwanted/foreign grit is a thing.

Getting a bit Brexity in here

See P.Patel for advice on how to proceed. ;-)

Genuine question - how are 800 grit whetstones that cost ££££ and 800 grit whetstones that cost £ different?

The cheap ones are priced to provide a living for Chinese workers and the expensive ones are priced to maintain an artisan class in Japan.

DJ bought one a while back.

I'd be tempted to use Wison overgrip if grip is a necessity. The thin stuff that goes over normal grip.

Can sort you out. See previous pics of my machetes...

Not at all.

See Terry Prachett character Death sharpening a scythe.

Use paper, not forearm.

Balls or nothing.

Back, sack and crack for the smooth look.