Need help to sharpen my fillet knives

[EyeAuthority]

Maybe it is just my worn out ceramic stick but it seems I have never been able to put a nice edge back on my fillet knives or any of my knives for that matter. I have Buck, Rapala, Browning, and Chicago Cutlery knives. What do some of you do to put a nice edge back on your blades. It seems like when ever one of mine gets dull, I just go buy another one. There has to be a better way. I have never tried a steel or a diamond stick. Thanks.

[mnjimcarp]

the best edge i have seen comes from a polishing wheel with buffing compound. no kidding, this works great. I am talking the fabric only polishing wheel.

[FROGMAN]

Warning! Yes this will get a blade sharp, but be very careful as it is easy for the blade to get caught in the wheel and flip. I will leave the rest to your imagination.

I have used natural Arkansas stones for years as my main sharpening system when at home. In the field I usually carry a small diamond hone. I have a large diamond hone that looks like a steel that I use on my big kitchen, and chef's knives. I have also used this on my old fillet knives. I say old because I've been spoiled by using an electric fillet knife, and probably won't go back except for maybe a fly-in trip! LOL
Tight lines

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[DW]

I've used the Lanski brand sharpener and it will put on a good edge. The system locks the blade in a certin angle so you sharpen it the same each stroke. There is also another brand on the market also. They seem to be a bit time consuming though. I have not used any of the electric or manual types that contain multiple stones. you only need to draw your knife across them. They may be much quicker, but I do not know how good an edge you will get. Both are available at bps,cabelas, or a local shop....-D

[BGunn]

I have the one like the Lanski, it's a Gatco. The stones are a little bit wider on the Gatco, but they both get a knife "Scary" sharp. I just finished doing my Buck folding filet knife, and it's much sharper now, than when it was new.

[Bill]

Where can I find a Gatco? Sounds like what I am looking for.
Is it hard to use?
Thanks

[Mal]

Check out this site. I have had the cardboard wheels for about a year and rely heavily on it to sharpen knives. razorknife.com

[almosthaddabite]

The stone may be the best, but just remember everytime your angle varies you are starting over. I like the buffing wheel or there is an expandable rubber wheel that excepts #800 sanding belts. Brownells has both. Once you can no longer get a sharp edge with your steel, go to the wheel. This just take a few seconds and your knife is razor sharp then touch with the steel as needed.

[BGunn]

Cabela's has them;

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jhtml?id=0006453&navAction=jump

Get the diamond one.

They take a little time, but it's easy. I usually use it at the 22* angle setting, and it seems to make a perfect edge. When you get to the finish of sharpening a knife, just do light strokes with the finest stone, switching sides with each stroke. Then Be Careful, it's sharper than you think!!
If you use to shallow of an angle, you can actually get it sharper, but the edge will be so fine that it won't last very long.

[RickKa]

I would go with the lansky sharpening system, i do everything from kitchen knives to razor blades, the angle can never be wrong from 10 degrees to 30 and stays the same as you sharpen, a kit comes with 3 stones, holder, oil, stand, and everything you need to get the results you need.

[perchjerker]

I would go with a Lansky or a Gatco. Foolproof, I even sharpen utility knife blades with mine.

[stewart]

I just have a 2$ rapala ceramic stick sharpener. It keeps my knife sharp. I think with it, though, you have to use it before your knife gets too dull.

[joe]

Saw a knife sharpener in Canada last year, it was the old kind that your grandmother used to use. It has what looks like two washers side by side and you simply pull your blade through it. It is made by Rada in Pennsylvania. I wouldn't recommend sharpening a really dull knife on the Rada, but just one pull through the washers keeps your blade razor sharp. Plus, they only cost around 4.50.

[Boatnut]

i've been interested in this type of system since seeing it used at a bass pro shop once. do you use a regualr bench grinder with cloth wheels or a machine specifically made for this? also, what is your source for the wheels/compound etc.
thanks

[Reels]

Beaver teeth if you can find them. Two sharpening sticks in a V. Havent seen them in years, but they do work great.

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[Boatnut]

I suggest you visit this site- http://www.ameritech.net/users/knives/index.htm

the guy seems to know his stuff and has reviews of just about every knife sharpening system out there.

[marcbodi]

Hi,
I have used all kinds of stones and what I am using is a old Sharping Steel I bought in a flea market.It don't even take a minute to get it sharp enought to cut the hair off your arm.The butchers use these to cut meat with.

[Jack G]

For years I have used a "steel" to keep my knives sharp as well as my wife's kitchen knives. If a knife really gets dull I use a diamond impregnated steel to quickly put an edge on it. My knives will shave hair off you arm. I put the steel to a knife as soon as it feels like it is losing it edge, this makes getting the edge back a quick process.

The steel I use if from Chicago Cutlery.

[Suzuki]

I use Rapala knives and the cheap little plastic Rapala sharpener.
Been working great for years. Just cleaned up a nice mess of gills last night. No problemo.

[MadMax]

I would go with either the Lansky or the Gatco!!
I have had a Lansky for many years. It will keep a edge like no other. I bought the kit with the three stones in it and then bought the extra course diamond stone to go with it. Most knifes from the factory, the edge is not even close to being straight or even. With the extra course diamond you can move a lot of iron from your knife in a hurry to get to the proper edge. After that the regular stones will polish it to a razor sharp edge in no time. Once you have the proper edge on your knife and the knife gets dull, all you have to do is hit it with your stones and it will be back to razor sharp in very little time. You only need to use the extra course diamond stone on your knife the very first time you sharpen it to establish the edge, then you never use it on that knife blade again. I have been elk hunting with guys that their knife will not make it through one elk. Last year my knife gutted out three elk. That night at camp, it took me 10 min to put a razor sharp edge back on the knife. The other guys own Lanskys now. My two cents worth. I hope this helps you.

[Backwater Eddy]

It requires a special felt buffing wheel, and jewelers rough bars to dress the wheel. You can get the kind of edge that if you drop a piece of light cloth on the blade it will shear clean under it's own weight, now that’s a sharp edge!

You can order the product’s you need from a commercial textile catalogue that will deal with industrial sewing machines. They use the system to maintain industrial machines and cutters. I no longer have a buffing wheel but would get another if I had the chance to rig one up. I made my last one from a washing machine motor and bolted it to the garage wall.

I worked at "Dakota" quilts and comforters in SD for many years as a garnet technician. I stumbled on the system at that time and it will certainly put the razor edge to a knife or a mirrors polish to a lure. To this day that was the easiest way for me to get a filet knife up to snuff. I am not good at knife sharpening, but that was a since. My knives were always razor sharp then.

You do need to exercise caution when using the buffing wheel as you would any power tool. Always keep the cutting edge of the blade facing in the direction that the wheel in turning and you will have no worries.

I will do some searching and see if I can come up with an on line resource for the items needed.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/home.html

[RickTK]

The Chantry knife sharpener made in Sheffield England. They're farely expensive but do an oustanding job. It's two short sharpening rods ewncased in a white metallic housing.I received one as a gift so I don't know where one can be purchased.

[REW]

What type compound do you typically use.

I have several different types - red, white, black, rouge - soft etc.

I have use the wheel for polishing stainless probs, but haden't thought trying it on a knife.

In one of the related sites, I also saw the comments about the use of paper wheels. It appears that this is similare - where there are slots in the paper wheel to hold polishing compound a bit longer than a rag wheel.

Thanks for any updates.

REW

p.s.
What RPM are you turning your wheel. 1800, 3600 - or some other rpm?

[MedicineMan]

Jack,
A Chicago rep gave me a tip years ago. Run your knife over the steel a few times with the blade upside down, then proceed to steel it as normal. I feel I get a sharper blade this way.
MedicineMan

[mnjimcarp]

boatnut, this is a regular bench grinder. (circa 1950) the compound should be a very delicate type. no need for any agressive compound. use a compound with very little grit. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF SHARPENING IS DELICATE. EASY DOES IT. A LITTLE AT A TIME. be very careful to position the knife blade in a secure position and go slow and easy. good luck. jim c

[BIG AL]

Another vote for the Lansky.....Excellent sharpener for the money. ><> ><> ><> AL