That's a really interesting knife to be doing any sort of testing on because H1 steel is rather odd in the sense that it's work hardened steel meaning that out of the box your edge is going to be like a 54 HRC or something like that and get harder as you remove steel supposedly but yeah H1 out of the box is softer than most steels I think? I'd be interested to see you try tests like this with stainless and carbon steels at high and low HRC. I bet the file would fail to sharpen any high HRC stainless steels.
Chris J Peavy so why is it that people have issues sharpening I’m 15 and just got a tiny little Arkansas stone but before that I was using a coffee cup that was getting a hair popping sharp edge
Buttery Boi to be honest, i think my issue is 2 fold. Not blaming this entirely, but picked up some awful nerve damage across the shoulders that runs down my arms and can’t feel my thumbs and half my hands in Afghanistan. The other part was probably the same as you. Grew up using the same stone forever, got used to its feel and groove and all. Then got used to just having sharp knives until I broke them using them as a tool they weren’t meant to be, getting stolen by bums, lost when borrowed by fellow Soldiers, etc. So I lost the muscle memory and practice of find the edge angle and then finding the sweet tipping spot on the edge. Just a thing, use it or lose it.
me too i couldnt sharpen a knife if my life depened on it if i used that file their would be chunks out of the knife find me an easyier way too sharpen that us less talented people can do
It’s all the British army issued for swords back in the day was a file they may not work the best but they work and they give you a nice toothy edge instead of a smooth edge
I use sharpening stone, the cheap 5 dollar ones. It's cheap but still works. I save more money since I'll have to buy new files if one dulls. And files cost like 15 dollar.
Sharpening has taken on an almost mystical element to it on the internet, if you use anything other than "approved" methods some unknown terrible thing will happen. I have fancy stones and a belt grinder but I also use sand paper and it's pretty effective. You should try sand paper in this weird sharpening series, not backed by a mouse pad but on a hard surface, the same way you built your strop but with sand paper instead of a leather belt. Double sided tape the ends down (only), It makes good enough makeshift "stones" and in as many grits as you want. I started doing this to make field sharpening kits so I didn't lose or damage my expensive stones out in the woods but then started using them at home on cheap knives so I didn't clog the stones, it'll work good enough for shaving or skinning sharp edge.
I have to ask myself sometimes if there's a point to these weird sharpening videos beyond, "just for fun ". Although it is kinda fun to see what works and what doesn't, I think it's more along the lines of, "just because you have a $10,000 camera doesn't mean you are going to take great pictures." I think a lot of people get caught up in the gear (including myself) and forget about the main objective. Not only that, but maybe we will find something new that works better, or changes the way something is done. Honestly, I think I'm going to be using a file, rather than a coarse stone from now to re profile knives that are in really bad shape. I still need to do more testing, but it seems to work really well at removing metal, without leaving super deep scratches. I will probably do something with sand paper soon. There's a lot of different things to cover as far as that goes haha. So many different ways it can be used. Thanks for the comment 😀
I've exclusively used sandpaper for years. You can get packs of wet/dry paper on amazon for cheap. I recently bought a 40 pack with grits ranging from 600-7000 that cost $11. I'm a woodworker and always have sandpaper on hand so that would always end up being what I sharpen my chisels with. Then I started using it to sharpen anything that needs an edge. I don't even own any fancy stones.
Interesting for sure. Never tried sharpening a knife with a file mostly just axes. You attained a very sharp edge with that file. You have a lot of good ideas with sharpening techniques.
Someone suggested using a finer file. I think I would have gotten MUCH better results using a fine file. I'm going to pick up some fine files and start using them on some of my axes as well. Thanks for watching 👍😀
I Had to use a File once in the field on my work knife, but I Was in Germany and it was a German Micro File, (Stropped it on my Rucksack!)😂 God the sharpness of the edge was Incredible!
Yeah I should have used a fine file. I think it would have REAL potential with a finer file. It was very sharp but it didn't have that WOW that's sharp feel lol
I use a file on my ka bar and it gets sharper than its original sharp, but I use it in a different way so you can do it out in the field where you dont have a bench to work with , great video, thank you for sharing.
This is what I use to sharpen my pocket knife. I found it in my dads old toolbox and it was super dull. Then I looked around more and found a file and put 2 and 2 together.
Yeah! File why not? I once sharpen the tiny blade on my leatherman squirt with the tiny file on my leatherman surge. It's not great but definitely work in a pinch. Thanks! Interesting and great video as usual!
Hi from Mexico 👋 That was a good video about sharpening with a file! Here, sharpening stones are scarce, but files are abundant, as people tend to sharpen machetes a lot, to cut all the growth during the rainy season. I've used a small sharp 3 sided file to sharpen lockblades and thicker kitchen knives, yes it works fine! Just takes more time
Thank you it gave me the edge I needed on an old smith and wesson boot knife a friend gave me , just had no edge to even sharpen , thick blade 1/4 cm edge just had no results
Hi from Ontario. Canada brother. Love your content. Working on my first little knife. Getting a feel for it. Ive been watching your vids, learning and enjoying them. Keep up the great work. Peace
When I first started sharpening knives as a kid, all I had was a 3 corner edge file, knew nothing about all the different ways and things you can use to sharpen. I didn't pass the knife on the file I filed on the edge by hand and when I said by hand, I had no clamps either, pain in the but to do but it worked out good. Knew nothing about knife steels either.
Filing a blade is normal for restoring a severely chipped or nicked edge, but not general sharpening. (Nothing that much out of the ordinary.) You'll use up a lot of the blade material fast. It's like a carbide sharpener but worse. The exceptions being something like an axe, chainsaw, or lawnmower, in situations where the blade is expected to see severe wear from normal use anyways.
I wouldn't say it's normal for pocket knives... at least from what I've seen. Larger blades maybe. I use files for my axes all the time it works very well to establish the primary bevel. Thanks for the comment 👍
pauljs75 yes , though I tend to sharpen my machete with a file , then hit it with a very coarse whetstone to knock anything off , my axes and hatchet tend to get the bench grinder with a fairly fine wheel
I have an old Gerber EZ Out that had lost its edge in the back half near the serrations. No matter what I did I could not get the edge back. I used a file followed by a fine stone and brought it back with ease. 20 low pressure reverse strokes per side with the file and then 30 or so per side with the oiled stone followed by a quick strop on my belt. Shaves hair now.
I do like using a file to sharpen my kitchen knives. I have a fine file that I THINK says "MILL 2ND CUT" stamped into the steel. All I know is that it's teeth are about 2x as fine as my fingerprints. And yes it does leave a kind of 'micro serrated' edge that will blitz through my fingertips as easily as it blitzes through tomatoes and other vegetables, if I'm not careful lol.
@@Coraline-jonesyy usually a strip of leather that you pull the knife across after sharpening on a stone. I.E the old straight razor scene at the barber in movies. You can use newspaper or cardboard too. Just removing all remnants of a bur and further polishing the edge.
@@Coraline-jonesyy oh man, there are too many to list, but don’t get bogged in the details. Most people do just fine with a decent 1000 grit stone and practice. Easiest method is the “bob Kramer” one where you pull the knife down the stone in long, easy strokes. The “Japanese” version has you work small sections doing most of the work pushing the knife away, but you push/pull a section at a time and work your way towards the tip. That one works best for crazy sharp for me, but I usually just pull because it’s easier and generally faster. Most important thing, no matter how you do it, is to keep a consistent angle. Use a sharpie to mark the edge and check to see you’re removing it all evenly as you practice. After a while it’ll be second nature. I still use a sharpie occasionally and I’ve been doing my own knives for years now. Check this guys other tutorials out, I learned a lot from him. This is kind of a gag video. There’s a Japanese guy name ryky at buffection channel that’ll show you the Japanese version. Pick one, spend about $50 on a decent combo stone and practice practice practice. Be slow and steady and even your first attempt will surprise you
There is a more efficient way to clean your files. Utilizing a flat piece of copper, actually cleans into the grooves of any file more completely than any wire brush.
So it looks like you do it right in the video, but just an FYI for the heck of it: it's really important when using a file to not go back and forth on it. Going the wrong way will actually make the file dull over time. You always want to move forward into the cutting teeth. Just a pet peeve of mine. Great videos!
You're a really good edge maker mate. When I read methodS, I was hoping to see more than one, or perhaps number the series of "Weird Knife Sharpening Methods"?
No worries. I keep thinking you're in Ontario - is that correct? In other news, I feel I had to come back to share something with you as I find your ability to sharpen quite inspiring. I just sharpened three knives - ranging from large kitchen knife to US army issued gizmo holding a solid lock knife, spoon, fork, cork screw that I use for camping - on a loonie priced garage sale found very uneven sharpening stone with unknown grits. I havent flattened it because I'm lazy and I think I can work around it. This is the second time sharpening on that stone and after a few quick strops on my pants leather belt keeping the angle as you show here in the video, I a) cut myself as I started to run the blade backwards from too much pressure b) shaved hair easily with each knife. I'm amazed. The knives to start off before the first sharpening could just cut a tomato with serious pressure and back and forthing. I think the trick was the stropping at the same angle I sharpen at. Thanks for sharing your knowledge mate - its worked a treat for me.
Hey Outdoors55 - got those two Ganzo's if you wanna hear about them, and now sharp thanks to some practice and watching you sharpen on various surfaces. Cut my nose even, and my back in two places using the knife as a "scratcher" - cos I am used to blunt blades. Holy Moly. Time to adjust a life long behaviour...
Haha. That's funny! I've almost done the same thing while using my knife to eat with. Generally not a good idea to use a razor sharp knife as a fork..glad your getting sharp blades now though 👍😀
Cool video. Hey btw I got all my stones for hand sharpening. Well all for now lol. Got the 8" dmt duosharp coarse/fine and then the spyderco fine 8x2. Plus my strop I made a while ago. Pretty sweet. I just touched up a couple knives with rolled edges on the spyderco fine and it came out great.
Used to carry a leatherman charge tti and a lightning otf and the diamond file on the leatherman could touch up the lightnings cheap blade really quick were i could shave with it
They sell these tiny file sets for cheap. It's the only way I've found to get restore a sharp edge and it does it quick. Otherwise I would have to buy a new knife to get a sharp one. Tried all the other methods too.
I mean logically a file should be able to sharpen it if it's fine enough. A file ranges from like a 10 grit to properly 600 or something. Not gonna say anything for certain because I'm not an expert but yeah it makes sense that a file can sharpen a knife
Nice Videos! I just found your channel and Subscribed! my Dad used to Sharpen his machetes with a Old Bastard file and he actually got them Really really Sharp!!! So i sharpen mine the Same way now and its alot Quicker for me than doing the whole edge on a stone and strop especially on dings on the blades or chips etc it re profiles so much quicker as the File removes much more material and i think thats what makes them so effective at sharpening machetes and beat up axes and blades and if you want it prettier you can still use a stone after. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment 😀 I think a finer file would have done ALOT better. I'm not used to sharpening in a file so it could probably been done better. It did remove a lot of material really well. Definitely useful for Reprofiling.
try draw filing with a better file...fixing the blade would be interesting but once you try it, you will get the idea (it is exactly like using a drawknife on wood).
my shitty cheap swiss army beater knife normally gets sharpened on the thumb wheel of a bic lighter. it aint pretty but it does give it a useable edge at least
This is really only good sharpening channel I have been sharpening knives for me and my friends for quite a while, but I dont have credit card to buy compound for my strop over Ebay and I cant find it in depot stores Soo are there any alternatives? I know just leather belt can be used but it takes a while. Also, I got small sharpening stone usually used for scythes, and I dont know grid on it, can it be used to get knives sharp?
Not a lot of alternatives that give good results, at least that I know of... I think your better just using leather. Did you try hardware stores? Sometimes auto parts stores vary it as well.
Mislav Matić try Mothers aluminum and mag metal polish. A little bit goes an amazingly long way. Honestly though I quit stropping a long time ago. It leave a nice shiny razor edge but I find this less than useful in the real world. I convex with sand paper on a mouse pad starting at an appropriate grit for the amount of work needing done through 5000 grit Trixact ( get from automotive store ). Nice mirror edge but again not useful to me as this level of polish just slides off of fibrous materials. Therefore I step back to about 750 grit on a solid flat surface and proceed to gently apply a micro bevel that is flat instead of convexed. This gives me a fine yet toothy edge with the benefits still of the convexed area being both robust and less drag through media. Nice working edge that is as tough as an ax but acts like a MUCH thinner blade as most of the contact area is mirrored.
A smooth cut file will sharpen you knife just fine from experience carbon steel blades are more forgiving to file stainless steel is better off with some kinda sharpening stone that's just me to each his own and a knife doesn't have to be razor sharp to function right skills is the answer
I sharpened katana with whetstone it was not good couldnt even cut paper but when i sharpened it with file that shit is sharp af like i could cut bear in half with it
So what happens when you take that file that you used to sharpen your knife with and turn it into a knife cutting instrument? Also what type of metal is that file made of? Obviously it's harder than your knife Steel so how would you tool it / machine it without destroying the hardness of it? Once again what kind of Steel is it if you can find out the metallurgy behind the Steel I guess you could anneal machine then properly harden it into a nice knife? Is it worth going through all that trouble? Is it better to just buy knife stock steel and start from there?
Sometimes it does, but the results are really inconsistent. Sometimes you can de burr sharpening into, or forward on the stone, but I still find it inconsistent. I just go backwards sometimes out of habit not a particular reason. A strop is the only consistent way I have found to remove the burr. Just my opinion your mileage may vary 😀
I was taught by an old farmer to sharpen with a file. Hoe"s shovel's sharpshooters etc. Not shaving sharp but useful tool sharp. If you ever take the time to sharpen a shovel you can see how a digger could go all day digging. Stop every 20 to 30 minutes and hit it with a half round mill bastard and you are back in business. This old man could take an Eye hoe and get it sharp enough to remove pig hairs off a pig hide at a hog killing. And he would sharpen the files with battery acid (sulphuric). Did his wife's knives with them too. And no, he did not "grind" them with the files. Finished them with a 1X3 Arkansas. Did his wife's scissors and pinking shears. Use it up, wear it out, make do. Better off with the old than in debt for the new.
Hey I'm not sure it the sharpening with a file just works because the knife is just H1 steel. H1 is really not high in wear resistance and not on too high hrc hardness. I think it wouldn't really work good on some modern super steel run on high hardness. Or have you tried it on some CPM S110 V or CPM M4 or something like this?
No I have no tried it with anything harder than h1. Your right it will be a different story with the super steels. At least I would think so..although it's hard to say exactly. Not sure if the exact hardness of these files I would guess around 67. Although I may be way off. Might be an interesting test.
No it was loaded with compound. I have a video on how I made it. Only thing I did to it after the video is add a couple drops of butcher block oil to help condition the leather and in bed the compound.
Am I missing something, I have watched forged in fire and they test a hardened knife on a file, the file is supposed to skate off the edge of the knife without cutting into the edge.
Graham Parr when you heat treat carbon steel you heat it to critical temp and quench . At this point the knife should be harder than the file. Hence the file skating and not cutting . But due to this high hardness , it’s fragile. After hardening you temper steel. ie put it in the oven on around 400 f for a couple hours. This brings the harness level down to a happy medium between knife having good edge retention, and being so brittle it’ll shatter if you drop it.
Now, not only is someone whacking... weeds nearby, now they’re blowing... ...leaves, too?! What has this world come to? People running around whacking and blowing... SO INCONSIDERATE! 😏
I want a water stone, I can't find a 600 like on your beginner's video, 220,1000, yes, I noticed your a lefty too and I want to try the backward technique you use, what stone would be a good substitute? $$ is a problem. Thanks for any advice.
220 and 1000 I perfectly fine. My norton stones jump from 220-1000 and it works. I do it all the time. 600 isn't absolutely necessary. Just fully apex the blade on the 220 and then move to the 1000 and strop. If you don't have a strop I would get one over a 600 grit stone. A strop is really that important. Hope this helps 😀
OUTDOORS55 I've got Good Strops, just no stones, I have my Lansky set's (reg.& diamond) & a work sharp guided system, I tried the backwards technique on that, glad it was a beater knife😂😱
I haven't heard a lot of good things about diamond stones. I hear they cut very well at the beginning but stop working very quickly. I have also heard the diamonds will in bed into some blade steels. This is all hear say, but from a reliable source. I have no experience with diamond stones. Haha getting the movement down does take some practice!
OUTDOORS55 the Lansky one's are quick to wear down, and the Work Sharp are even quicker, but the WS Doe's move, so it's great for curved blades and tip's, and I haven't used a Real Stone for 30+ year's, that's why I thought I'd like to learn how 😨
I just bought a cheap lansky with the ceramic rods. I'm going to do a video on it. Never used anything other than water stones so it should be interesting 😀 I read the diamond rods wear down fast as well. We'll see how it goes haha
Here's the link to the knife in the video 😀
amzn.to/2xU9eWO
THIS IS AN AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK
OUTDOORS5
That's a really interesting knife to be doing any sort of testing on because H1 steel is rather odd in the sense that it's work hardened steel meaning that out of the box your edge is going to be like a 54 HRC or something like that and get harder as you remove steel supposedly but yeah H1 out of the box is softer than most steels I think? I'd be interested to see you try tests like this with stainless and carbon steels at high and low HRC. I bet the file would fail to sharpen any high HRC stainless steels.
what I learned from this video:
- sharpening is all about skill, not tools
-i can't sharpen jack shit
Spaeckli I’m right there with you! I have worked and worked. Still suck
Chris J Peavy so why is it that people have issues sharpening I’m 15 and just got a tiny little Arkansas stone but before that I was using a coffee cup that was getting a hair popping sharp edge
Buttery Boi to be honest, i think my issue is 2 fold. Not blaming this entirely, but picked up some awful nerve damage across the shoulders that runs down my arms and can’t feel my thumbs and half my hands in Afghanistan. The other part was probably the same as you. Grew up using the same stone forever, got used to its feel and groove and all. Then got used to just having sharp knives until I broke them using them as a tool they weren’t meant to be, getting stolen by bums, lost when borrowed by fellow Soldiers, etc. So I lost the muscle memory and practice of find the edge angle and then finding the sweet tipping spot on the edge. Just a thing, use it or lose it.
Maybe try sharpening a knife and not jacks shit !
me too i couldnt sharpen a knife if my life depened on it if i used that file their would be chunks out of the knife find me an easyier way too sharpen that us less talented people can do
It’s all the British army issued for swords back in the day was a file they may not work the best but they work and they give you a nice toothy edge instead of a smooth edge
So I'm weird? I've been using files to sharpen all my tools. It's much easier to use and I don't have to wet or oil anything.
Apparantly its new to ppl in 1st world countries
Yes with a file we can easily sharpen our any type of tool
Mine only makes my knife dollולאָזטאָ ולאָזטאָ
I use sharpening stone, the cheap 5 dollar ones. It's cheap but still works. I save more money since I'll have to buy new files if one dulls. And files cost like 15 dollar.
@@aimansyahmidzulkhairy909 Well, files are forever. They don't eventually "melt" away.
Sharpening has taken on an almost mystical element to it on the internet, if you use anything other than "approved" methods some unknown terrible thing will happen. I have fancy stones and a belt grinder but I also use sand paper and it's pretty effective. You should try sand paper in this weird sharpening series, not backed by a mouse pad but on a hard surface, the same way you built your strop but with sand paper instead of a leather belt. Double sided tape the ends down (only), It makes good enough makeshift "stones" and in as many grits as you want. I started doing this to make field sharpening kits so I didn't lose or damage my expensive stones out in the woods but then started using them at home on cheap knives so I didn't clog the stones, it'll work good enough for shaving or skinning sharp edge.
I have to ask myself sometimes if there's a point to these weird sharpening videos beyond, "just for fun ". Although it is kinda fun to see what works and what doesn't, I think it's more along the lines of, "just because you have a $10,000 camera doesn't mean you are going to take great pictures." I think a lot of people get caught up in the gear (including myself) and forget about the main objective. Not only that, but maybe we will find something new that works better, or changes the way something is done. Honestly, I think I'm going to be using a file, rather than a coarse stone from now to re profile knives that are in really bad shape. I still need to do more testing, but it seems to work really well at removing metal, without leaving super deep scratches. I will probably do something with sand paper soon. There's a lot of different things to cover as far as that goes haha. So many different ways it can be used. Thanks for the comment 😀
I hear you. The stones I use most often are from edge pro they're cheap and very small but definitely get the job done.
I agree! I think that it would be fun to use sand paper to see what kind of edge you could get.
I've exclusively used sandpaper for years. You can get packs of wet/dry paper on amazon for cheap. I recently bought a 40 pack with grits ranging from 600-7000 that cost $11.
I'm a woodworker and always have sandpaper on hand so that would always end up being what I sharpen my chisels with. Then I started using it to sharpen anything that needs an edge. I don't even own any fancy stones.
@@isaiahii6982 can you send me a link to that
Interesting for sure. Never tried sharpening a knife with a file mostly just axes. You attained a very sharp edge with that file. You have a lot of good ideas with sharpening techniques.
Someone suggested using a finer file. I think I would have gotten MUCH better results using a fine file. I'm going to pick up some fine files and start using them on some of my axes as well. Thanks for watching 👍😀
I'd heard that swordsmen and soldiers of old used to carry files to sharpen their weapons. Wild to learn that could really work.
it doesn't work it just dulls the blade
I Had to use a File once in the field on my work knife, but I Was in Germany and it was a German Micro File, (Stropped it on my Rucksack!)😂 God the sharpness of the edge was Incredible!
Yeah I should have used a fine file. I think it would have REAL potential with a finer file. It was very sharp but it didn't have that WOW that's sharp feel lol
The secret Alex doesn't want us to know is that he actually has a super power…he can sharpen blades with his mind. All these videos are just a cover.
O word
O word
I use a file on my ka bar and it gets sharper than its original sharp, but I use it in a different way so you can do it out in the field where you dont have a bench to work with , great video, thank you for sharing.
it feels like as long as you're sharpening properly, and follow that up with a stropping session, you get a very sharp knife
This is what I use to sharpen my pocket knife. I found it in my dads old toolbox and it was super dull. Then I looked around more and found a file and put 2 and 2 together.
Yeah! File why not? I once sharpen the tiny blade on my leatherman squirt with the tiny file on my leatherman surge. It's not great but definitely work in a pinch. Thanks! Interesting and great video as usual!
Thanks! I think a finer file would have done a lot better. Good idea with the leatherman. 👍
Hi from Mexico 👋 That was a good video about sharpening with a file! Here, sharpening stones are scarce, but files are abundant, as people tend to sharpen machetes a lot, to cut all the growth during the rainy season. I've used a small sharp 3 sided file to sharpen lockblades and thicker kitchen knives, yes it works fine! Just takes more time
I use a file too. It’s a lot faster than a wet stone
Thank you it gave me the edge I needed on an old smith and wesson boot knife a friend gave me , just had no edge to even sharpen , thick blade 1/4 cm edge just had no results
You are a sharpening scientist. I have become a big fan of you dude!
dont worry, the leaf blowing and weed whacking were barely audible :)
Haha, I had to cut some stuff out of the video due to weed wacker. Thanks for watching my friend 😀
Thoz facial expressions when ur neighbor was working outside... awesome!
It went on for around 30 minutes haha. Thanks for watching my friend 😀
Absolutely insane. MAN YOU MAKE THE BEST FLIPPIN KNIFE MAKING/SHARPENING VIDEOS ON RUclips. gg man!
Hi from Ontario. Canada brother. Love your content. Working on my first little knife. Getting a feel for it. Ive been watching your vids, learning and enjoying them. Keep up the great work. Peace
My "system" on the kitchen is a combination stone, 120/320 and the coffee mug as a honing "rod", more than enough for tomatoes and boxes (for my EDC)
Thanks - it worked on my WWII V-42 Elite Special Forces Knife replica that did not come sharpened.
Me a couple days ago...
Also describe give his guys shot see what hes got...
Me now... This guy is awesome...
Keep them coming
Thanks my friend 😀👍
When I first started sharpening knives as a kid, all I had was a 3 corner edge file, knew nothing about all the different ways and things you can use to sharpen. I didn't pass the knife on the file I filed on the edge by hand and when I said by hand, I had no clamps either, pain in the but to do but it worked out good. Knew nothing about knife steels either.
Lately I have been using a chainsaw file. Using it like a honing steel. Just a few passes and it takes off a bit of steel.
Honing isn't ment to take metal of, right?
Like your sharpening experiments. To bad with the weed wacker, leaf blower and... air planes ;)
Haha! Thanks! The noise is always a problem😀
Filing a blade is normal for restoring a severely chipped or nicked edge, but not general sharpening. (Nothing that much out of the ordinary.) You'll use up a lot of the blade material fast. It's like a carbide sharpener but worse. The exceptions being something like an axe, chainsaw, or lawnmower, in situations where the blade is expected to see severe wear from normal use anyways.
I wouldn't say it's normal for pocket knives... at least from what I've seen. Larger blades maybe. I use files for my axes all the time it works very well to establish the primary bevel. Thanks for the comment 👍
pauljs75 yes , though I tend to sharpen my machete with a file , then hit it with a very coarse whetstone to knock anything off , my axes and hatchet tend to get the bench grinder with a fairly fine wheel
pauljs75
Bastard files work damn good on machetes
Jon
I prefer a die grinder when a grinder is needed.
Thank you for making this file to sharpen knife video! It was very good and informative !
Gets a timber rattler nicely edged and sharp as well
Really good way to sharpen knife thank you very much
I have an old Gerber EZ Out that had lost its edge in the back half near the serrations. No matter what I did I could not get the edge back. I used a file followed by a fine stone and brought it back with ease. 20 low pressure reverse strokes per side with the file and then 30 or so per side with the oiled stone followed by a quick strop on my belt. Shaves hair now.
I agree! It’s annoying when someone nearby is whacking....
...weeds. 😏
I do like using a file to sharpen my kitchen knives. I have a fine file that I THINK says "MILL 2ND CUT" stamped into the steel. All I know is that it's teeth are about 2x as fine as my fingerprints.
And yes it does leave a kind of 'micro serrated' edge that will blitz through my fingertips as easily as it blitzes through tomatoes and other vegetables, if I'm not careful lol.
For me the stropping makes all the difference. My knife will be pretty sharp, but after the strop it’s always noticeably sharper.
Yes, the strop is where it’s at👍
what’s a strop?
@@Coraline-jonesyy usually a strip of leather that you pull the knife across after sharpening on a stone. I.E the old straight razor scene at the barber in movies. You can use newspaper or cardboard too. Just removing all remnants of a bur and further polishing the edge.
@@richardcagle5475 thankyou. do you have any tips on what technique to use when sharpening a knife?
@@Coraline-jonesyy oh man, there are too many to list, but don’t get bogged in the details. Most people do just fine with a decent 1000 grit stone and practice. Easiest method is the “bob Kramer” one where you pull the knife down the stone in long, easy strokes. The “Japanese” version has you work small sections doing most of the work pushing the knife away, but you push/pull a section at a time and work your way towards the tip. That one works best for crazy sharp for me, but I usually just pull because it’s easier and generally faster. Most important thing, no matter how you do it, is to keep a consistent angle. Use a sharpie to mark the edge and check to see you’re removing it all evenly as you practice. After a while it’ll be second nature. I still use a sharpie occasionally and I’ve been doing my own knives for years now. Check this guys other tutorials out, I learned a lot from him. This is kind of a gag video. There’s a Japanese guy name ryky at buffection channel that’ll show you the Japanese version. Pick one, spend about $50 on a decent combo stone and practice practice practice. Be slow and steady and even your first attempt will surprise you
So, while sharpening should I cut into a file or drag the edge backward?
Second Cut File are perfect for a brand new blunt edge
Great job 💯
Mans literally just saved me like 30 bucks and a whole lotta time holy
ive used a file before but never got super sharp from it. you keep shaving yourself n you aint gonna have no hair left hahaha great vid as always bro
I'm already past that point lol!
OUTDOORS55
You should stop shaving your beard for a week. Then you can shave that instead since you run out of arm hair.
You have great videos . Great content
Spider co knives hate that shape but they are good
They do have a unique shape. I guess you either love it or hate it😀 Thanks for the comment 😀
Thanks again. Another awesome video. I mean I love knives...and the best kind of knife? A sharp one.
Thanks for watching😀
There is a more efficient way to clean your files. Utilizing a flat piece of copper, actually cleans into the grooves of any file more completely than any wire brush.
So it looks like you do it right in the video, but just an FYI for the heck of it: it's really important when using a file to not go back and forth on it. Going the wrong way will actually make the file dull over time. You always want to move forward into the cutting teeth.
Just a pet peeve of mine. Great videos!
It may look like I do it, but I don’t go back and forth. I mention this in a lot of my other videos. Thanks for commenting the info!😀👍
I use a fine coarse bastardfile all the time. I did wear it out though so it wont cut so much
You're a really good edge maker mate. When I read methodS, I was hoping to see more than one, or perhaps number the series of "Weird Knife Sharpening Methods"?
I didn't even realize I typed in methods thanks I'll change it👍
No worries. I keep thinking you're in Ontario - is that correct? In other news, I feel I had to come back to share something with you as I find your ability to sharpen quite inspiring. I just sharpened three knives - ranging from large kitchen knife to US army issued gizmo holding a solid lock knife, spoon, fork, cork screw that I use for camping - on a loonie priced garage sale found very uneven sharpening stone with unknown grits. I havent flattened it because I'm lazy and I think I can work around it. This is the second time sharpening on that stone and after a few quick strops on my pants leather belt keeping the angle as you show here in the video, I a) cut myself as I started to run the blade backwards from too much pressure b) shaved hair easily with each knife. I'm amazed. The knives to start off before the first sharpening could just cut a tomato with serious pressure and back and forthing. I think the trick was the stropping at the same angle I sharpen at. Thanks for sharing your knowledge mate - its worked a treat for me.
Hey Outdoors55 - got those two Ganzo's if you wanna hear about them, and now sharp thanks to some practice and watching you sharpen on various surfaces. Cut my nose even, and my back in two places using the knife as a "scratcher" - cos I am used to blunt blades. Holy Moly. Time to adjust a life long behaviour...
Haha. That's funny! I've almost done the same thing while using my knife to eat with. Generally not a good idea to use a razor sharp knife as a fork..glad your getting sharp blades now though 👍😀
Thanks mate - leaves me wondering - can a knife just be too sharp for general use? You Ontarian?
Great video man love your videos always learn something from them thanks for all the 5ime you putinto these videos
The knife that you use do demonstrate the knife sharpening techniques is good , but i have seen it in Walmart for like 10$
Walmart doesn’t sell the pacific salt for $10.
Aww man he can get a better edge on a knife with a FILE than I can get on a stone.
A friend told me we can sharpening with a nail file, can truly work?
Nelson D Cunha nail files typically aren’t hardened because they of course designed to only cut fingernails which are very soft
Love your videos
Thanks for the great videos... I would definitely be interested in seeing a plane blade or chisel sharpening video!
If only I had a dollar for every chisel I've sharpened haha! I do plan on doing a video on chisels in the future. Thanks for the comment 😀
I use files to sharpen my ex's cuz I really don't need a perfect edge on it I just need it to be Sharp
Cool video. Hey btw I got all my stones for hand sharpening. Well all for now lol. Got the 8" dmt duosharp coarse/fine and then the spyderco fine 8x2. Plus my strop I made a while ago. Pretty sweet. I just touched up a couple knives with rolled edges on the spyderco fine and it came out great.
Never tried the dmt stones. I keep hearing about them though. I guess I'll have to give them a try. Thanks for the comment 😀
its going to take longer on the cup to refine your edge but less time on the strop id think than a knife sharpened with a file
Used to carry a leatherman charge tti and a lightning otf and the diamond file on the leatherman could touch up the lightnings cheap blade really quick were i could shave with it
You were dangerously close to cutting yourself holding that cup.
Wish I could get this good at sharpening
Sooooo
You this good yet? After 3 years?
I sharpened with files on my work knifes for about 30 years .
They sell these tiny file sets for cheap. It's the only way I've found to get restore a sharp edge and it does it quick. Otherwise I would have to buy a new knife to get a sharp one. Tried all the other methods too.
I like this guy
I like you too Steve
I mean logically a file should be able to sharpen it if it's fine enough. A file ranges from like a 10 grit to properly 600 or something. Not gonna say anything for certain because I'm not an expert but yeah it makes sense that a file can sharpen a knife
The better the steel the sharper the knife !!
I actually wince at the sound of the file on knife
Me too, it was terrible 😬 Thanks for watching 😀
"But why a spoon cousin?", "because it's dull you idiot, it'll HUUURT MOOORE" - Sheriff of Nottingham (Robin Hood 1991)
Nice Videos! I just found your channel and Subscribed! my Dad used to Sharpen his machetes with a Old Bastard file and he actually got them Really really Sharp!!! So i sharpen mine the Same way now and its alot Quicker for me than doing the whole edge on a stone and strop especially on dings on the blades or chips etc it re profiles so much quicker as the File removes much more material and i think thats what makes them so effective at sharpening machetes and beat up axes and blades and if you want it prettier you can still use a stone after. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment 😀 I think a finer file would have done ALOT better. I'm not used to sharpening in a file so it could probably been done better. It did remove a lot of material really well. Definitely useful for Reprofiling.
You should find hair donors. But other than that man you make amazing videos.
Haha! yeah I need some😂 Thanks my friend😀
try draw filing with a better file...fixing the blade would be interesting but once you try it, you will get the idea (it is exactly like using a drawknife on wood).
Im familiar with that method. Yeah I'm not sure how you would hold the blade while you file haha. Thanks for the comment👍
my shitty cheap swiss army beater knife normally gets sharpened on the thumb wheel of a bic lighter. it aint pretty but it does give it a useable edge at least
Now THAT is an interesting sharpening method. I may have to try that👍
OUTDOORS55 not sure if it would work on good steel but on cheap Chinese steel it does a good enough job to continue what I was doing
Yeah it may be harder on s30v lol
probsty13 then it's not a real Swiss army knife
yes i know that it is not a real swiss army knife. but it is like when you ask for a tissue. most people just say kleenex.
This is really only good sharpening channel
I have been sharpening knives for me and my friends for quite a while, but I dont have credit card to buy compound for my strop over Ebay and I cant find it in depot stores
Soo are there any alternatives? I know just leather belt can be used but it takes a while.
Also, I got small sharpening stone usually used for scythes, and I dont know grid on it, can it be used to get knives sharp?
Not a lot of alternatives that give good results, at least that I know of... I think your better just using leather. Did you try hardware stores? Sometimes auto parts stores vary it as well.
Mislav Matić try Mothers aluminum and mag metal polish. A little bit goes an amazingly long way. Honestly though I quit stropping a long time ago. It leave a nice shiny razor edge but I find this less than useful in the real world. I convex with sand paper on a mouse pad starting at an appropriate grit for the amount of work needing done through 5000 grit Trixact ( get from automotive store ). Nice mirror edge but again not useful to me as this level of polish just slides off of fibrous materials. Therefore I step back to about 750 grit on a solid flat surface and proceed to gently apply a micro bevel that is flat instead of convexed. This gives me a fine yet toothy edge with the benefits still of the convexed area being both robust and less drag through media. Nice working edge that is as tough as an ax but acts like a MUCH thinner blade as most of the contact area is mirrored.
Mico gubav si
if you have a normal bank account . you can link a paypal to it and make online purchases
Mix baking powder with water and use that as your compund. Works really good for me.
It does sound great, got a sword delivered flat as old ass any advice
Files is one of the ways many south/ central american countries sharpen their machetes
yo this guy probably has random places where his arm has no hair lol
Good vid
A smooth cut file will sharpen you knife just fine from experience carbon steel blades are more forgiving to file stainless steel is better off with some kinda sharpening stone that's just me to each his own and a knife doesn't have to be razor sharp to function right skills is the answer
Love your videos, what brand of knife is that?
Spyderco pacific salt. Not sure if its still made though.
I sharpened katana with whetstone it was not good couldnt even cut paper but when i sharpened it with file that shit is sharp af like i could cut bear in half with it
So what happens when you take that file that you used to sharpen your knife with and turn it into a knife cutting instrument? Also what type of metal is that file made of? Obviously it's harder than your knife Steel so how would you tool it / machine it without destroying the hardness of it? Once again what kind of Steel is it if you can find out the metallurgy behind the Steel I guess you could anneal machine then properly harden it into a nice knife?
Is it worth going through all that trouble? Is it better to just buy knife stock steel and start from there?
GREAT VIDEO!!! Did you ever check out that toothpick buck knife?
Yes I actually think I may have one floating around somewhere..it's a nice little knife.
Next week's video, Alex test's how sharp his knives are slicing lawnmower wheels! 😲
Hahaha😂 Don't temp me😉 My wife already thinks I cut up too much stuff...
I wouldn't doubt if the damn knife would get sharper as he's trying to dull it
what roughness was the file ?
Cool video. How much of the blade was shaved away?
About the same as if sharpening in a 220 grit stone. I only sharpened till I apexed. I think I lost more blade dulling it on the cup 😀
Is there a reason you sharpen pulling away from the edge sometimes? Does it de-burr it a bit?
Sometimes it does, but the results are really inconsistent. Sometimes you can de burr sharpening into, or forward on the stone, but I still find it inconsistent. I just go backwards sometimes out of habit not a particular reason. A strop is the only consistent way I have found to remove the burr. Just my opinion your mileage may vary 😀
I was taught by an old farmer to sharpen with a file. Hoe"s shovel's sharpshooters etc. Not shaving sharp but useful tool sharp. If you ever take the time to sharpen a shovel you can see how a digger could go all day digging. Stop every 20 to 30 minutes and hit it with a half round mill bastard and you are back in business. This old man could take an Eye hoe and get it sharp enough to remove pig hairs off a pig hide at a hog killing. And he would sharpen the files with battery acid (sulphuric). Did his wife's knives with them too. And no, he did not "grind" them with the files. Finished them with a 1X3 Arkansas. Did his wife's scissors and pinking shears. Use it up, wear it out, make do. Better off with the old than in debt for the new.
Can I use a plain leather belt for stropping or do I need stropping compound?
You can use plain leather it just won't remove material as fast.
OUTDOORS55 ok.
Hey I'm not sure it the sharpening with a file just works because the knife is just H1 steel. H1 is really not high in wear resistance and not on too high hrc hardness. I think it wouldn't really work good on some modern super steel run on high hardness. Or have you tried it on some CPM S110 V or CPM M4 or something like this?
No I have no tried it with anything harder than h1. Your right it will be a different story with the super steels. At least I would think so..although it's hard to say exactly. Not sure if the exact hardness of these files I would guess around 67. Although I may be way off. Might be an interesting test.
I am terrible at sharpening with a stone but I am not bad with the file
Was the strop loaded with compound or just a plain peace or leather ?
No it was loaded with compound. I have a video on how I made it. Only thing I did to it after the video is add a couple drops of butcher block oil to help condition the leather and in bed the compound.
Great videos I'm learning a lot appreciate your to the point and you don't waste words. Do you have a Facebook page. What state do you live in
Thanks my friend! I don't have face book, and Im from southern Pennsylvania. Thanks for watching!
oh that dulling hurts
Am I missing something, I have watched forged in fire and they test a hardened knife on a file, the file is supposed to skate off the edge of the knife without cutting into the edge.
Graham Parr when you heat treat carbon steel you heat it to critical temp and quench . At this point the knife should be harder than the file. Hence the file skating and not cutting . But due to this high hardness , it’s fragile. After hardening you temper steel. ie put it in the oven on around 400 f for a couple hours. This brings the harness level down to a happy medium between knife having good edge retention, and being so brittle it’ll shatter if you drop it.
Wendy Daniel Nicholas of course, I am an idiot.😳
I used that on my first locking knife my dad said to try with the file knowing I wouldn't get it too sharp
How'd it turn out?
Now, not only is someone whacking... weeds nearby, now they’re blowing...
...leaves, too?!
What has this world come to? People running around whacking and blowing... SO INCONSIDERATE! 😏
I’ve always ways sharpened knives on a file
Cool, never tried it till this video. A finer file would definitely yield better results. Thanks for the comment😀
Sensei!
I want a water stone, I can't find a 600 like on your beginner's video, 220,1000, yes, I noticed your a lefty too and I want to try the backward technique you use, what stone would be a good substitute? $$ is a problem. Thanks for any advice.
220 and 1000 I perfectly fine. My norton stones jump from 220-1000 and it works. I do it all the time. 600 isn't absolutely necessary. Just fully apex the blade on the 220 and then move to the 1000 and strop. If you don't have a strop I would get one over a 600 grit stone. A strop is really that important. Hope this helps 😀
OUTDOORS55 I've got Good Strops, just no stones, I have my Lansky set's (reg.& diamond) & a work sharp guided system, I tried the backwards technique on that, glad it was a beater knife😂😱
I haven't heard a lot of good things about diamond stones. I hear they cut very well at the beginning but stop working very quickly. I have also heard the diamonds will in bed into some blade steels. This is all hear say, but from a reliable source. I have no experience with diamond stones. Haha getting the movement down does take some practice!
OUTDOORS55 the Lansky one's are quick to wear down, and the Work Sharp are even quicker, but the WS Doe's move, so it's great for curved blades and tip's, and I haven't used a Real Stone for 30+ year's, that's why I thought I'd like to learn how 😨
I just bought a cheap lansky with the ceramic rods. I'm going to do a video on it. Never used anything other than water stones so it should be interesting 😀 I read the diamond rods wear down fast as well. We'll see how it goes haha
In my country most ppl use files to sharpen their kitchen knives
Bro. You didn't give any details on the file you used. I guess a fine to super fine steel file?