Carborundum sharping stone

[Foul Mike]

I was helping an OLD Friend the other day clean out his garage.
In the mix was a Carborundum stone from who knows when, still in the box, made in Niagara Falls, New York. Brand new.
He gave it to me on the condition that I use it.
His words were,"Ain't too many who know how to use this, you do, so honor my request and make your knives sharp."
I opened it and there it was, pristine as the day it came off the line.
I sharpened my knives and Panty 6+'s too.
I wonder how many of us on here know how to put the razor's edge on a knife with just a fine stone?
There sure is a knack to it.
If I really wanted to get it fine, I am sure there are Arkansas stones or whatever, this will work fine for me.
I looked around at the local stores and and could find nothing of this grade and quality. Regards, FM

 

[macthknife]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

I have been sharpening knives that way for 40 years. No reason to change now...other than serrated blades.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Kudos to your OLD friend. In this world, friends are a true treasure.

 

[cavemanmoore]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

I didn't realize this was a dying art? My everyday use knife gets sharpened on a stone a couple times a week. Just figured that's how most people did it. How do "young" people sharpen knives?

 

[macthknife]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavemanmoore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't realize this was a dying art? My everyday use knife gets sharpened on a stone a couple times a week. Just figured that's how most people did it. How do "young" people sharpen knives? </div></div>
Pretty sure there is an app for it.

 

[dogmessiah]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavemanmoore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't realize this was a dying art? My everyday use knife gets sharpened on a stone a couple times a week. Just figured that's how most people did it. How do "young" people sharpen knives? </div></div>
It is indeed a dying art. I am a young person. I have a stone and use a stone at home, but I also have a nice knife sharpener that does a plenty good job for 95% of my applications. Really unless you are using a straight razor, you don't need the extra edge the stone gives you over a knife sharpener, and then you need a good strop too. Most of the people my age do not know how to use a stone. Most have dull knives, a couple use a handheld knife sharpener, and even less use a lansky.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

WTF you doin' in my house sharpenin' Panty 6's knives mofo!?!?!? THAT's MY JOB!

 

[Maggot]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mac the knife</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavemanmoore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't realize this was a dying art? My everyday use knife gets sharpened on a stone a couple times a week. Just figured that's how most people did it. How do "young" people sharpen knives? </div></div>
Pretty sure there is an app for it. </div></div>

King Crimson, "Twentith Century Schichozoid Man" Is a there a BJ app? Pologies, Im startin the second bottle of red wine. See yall mofos tomorrow.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Good stones for making very sharp knives can still be found, however, kitchen knives that are razor sharp are not the way to go. A razor edge is too fine for kitchen use. A little more angle to the edge lasts longer and works better when sharp and steeled right.
I use three stones that are carborundom and stone mix, and final lap on a nice white Arkansas stone before they hit an F. Dick Flat Multi-Steel. Panty 6 can use that stoned edge for about a quarter of a year as long as I steel the edges each week. She has no problems slicing tomatoes, onions, garlic, or anything else she uses on a regular basis.
My kulinschlef santuko only gets the stones once a year and the F. Dick steel the rest of the time and it stays hellasharp.
My utility folder by Spiderco, stones twice a year. My sidewyas mounted Top's Scalpel, well it gets a good cleaning and I usually work the edge just a little more and it just gets sharper and sharper the more I rub it on the arkansas stone. IF it ever needs to come out in a rising diagonal, it is gonna do some wicked damage
God loves sharp knives

 

[sharac]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

And your fingers too...

Otherwise i really don't see the problem with "skill to sharpen". Most people are too damn ignorant to even bother learning. How many can cook (and to make something edible you don't need chef's school in France), change a stupid light bulb... Why in the world would you want to spent half an hour putting on perfect edge when you can go on TV buy that magic laser edged surgical steel hold sharpness entire decade knife for 2$ and you store it in a drawer and thats it... Thats the world today and on of the reasons it's going down the drain. "Old knowledge" will soon come in handy not to mention there will be a line of dumb fucks in the line screaming for those in the know to teach it to them.

 

[xs hedspace]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Way back when I was married to wifey#1, I went to her parents for thanksgiving. They asked me to carve the turkey. Holy crap! Not a sharp knife in the house! No sharpening stones either. Found out you can get a decent edge by using the unglazed bottom of a coffee mug to stone the edge. BTW, the inlaws were a carbon copy of All In the Family, lived in Brooklyn.

 

[Foul Mike]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Chill Switchblade.
I asked you about using that handle years ago and you said go ahead.
I changed mine to Panty 6+ and if you saw her you would understand why.
She is getting so big that I sometimes believe it easier to jump over than go around. Regards, FM
PS I think the handle is funnier than hell and have to hand it to you for coming up with it.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Kitchen edges.

There are knives, cutting tools, trinkets, and then there are Knives!

The first problem that I've seen SO MANY people have, is a total disregard for logic. You know, them's that just "throws" their blade in the utensil drawer, with all the other ladles, spatula's, and whatnot. Ain't no 'edges' in there.

Then there's the ones who get the 72 piece set from the late-nite tv ads, with the fancy/shiny/space-laser designed handles for only $19.95.

Add to that, then there's those who "call right now" and also get the latest 'whipper-snipper-whatsit' that slices/dices/chops/whips/and even makes Julienne Fries! Them discombobulating trinkets that are solutions to non-existent problems. Check that, the problem is people who don't know how to do simple kitchen procedures to begin with.

So, starting with your 'kitchen edges' and their storage, one wants to isolate each and every blade in a "functioning for you" manner. Some prefer the wall mounted magnet-bars. Some have a knife-block (more on that later) Some actually have a roll-sheath or individual sheath's that they store their blades in.

The point is though, putting lipstick on a pig is just that. Smearing pork-fat and food coloring on swine. Nothing more. I can definitely appreciate the OP's earnestness and humility upon receiving this gift from someone he respects. It is more than just a 'do-dad'.

Having a number of quality blades in a viable and useful collection can and will definitely add to faster/better/efficient'er preparations. But as a contrast, attempting to put an edge on any 'cheap POS' is a waste of time and effort. Other than as a LEARNING PROCESS.

What works for us here is a knife-block with the slots that are all horizontal. This way, the blades are all sitting on their flats, and kept separate. Regarding the vertical slots, so many people keep their blades in them with the edge facing down. Every time one removes or replaces their edge, they are dragging that edge on the material that the block is made of. How good is that, for the actual edge?

Now taking a quality blade and putting an edge on it, is a task that requires some consideration AND practice. One doesn't just "drag it on a stone/steel/lap/belt or rod" and one certainly doesn't use the "knife sharpener" that is on the back of the can-opener. One takes the time to learn how to do it right, and then maintains that edge over time.

Well, those who understand quality, dignity, and humility will attend to their edges, maintain them, and protect them. The humility is somewhat garnered when a friend or family member arrives with a drawerfull of "midnight tv specials" and asks that you do "your magic" to their selection too.

(Go from sharpening a Henkels 4 Star to a Ginsu and you'll know what I'm saying.) Then add to that, the futility of such an exercise considering that they'll just be 'thrown back in the drawer'.

So for those who don't, yet, then by all means go out and get yourself ONE good quality knife, and learn how to sharpen it PROPERLY, as well. Getting a good sharpening system/method won't be cheap either. But it WILL reward you with more than you think for the rest of your life.

Tune in next week, and we'll talk about sharpening scissors by hand. It's easier than you think.

Foul Mike, good on ya for knowing what you have. I've been to too many 'estate clearances' where the old-folks have passed on, and the family members are 'going through' and taking what they want. And it is these treasures that are most-often overlooked.

And even higher regards, for knowing how to use it.

 

[LeviBerg]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Foul Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chill Switchblade.
I asked you about using that handle years ago and you said go ahead.
I changed mine to Panty 6+ and if you saw her you would understand why.
She is getting so big that I sometimes believe it easier to jump over than go around. Regards, FM
PS I think the handle is funnier than hell and have to hand it to you for coming up with it. </div></div>

I'm still trying to sort out what Panty 6 is supposed to mean. I'm drawing a complete blank.

 

[thebolt]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavemanmoore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't realize this was a dying art? My everyday use knife gets sharpened on a stone a couple times a week. Just figured that's how most people did it. How do "young" people sharpen knives? </div></div>


They have their fathers sharpen them.

 

[sharac]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> How do "young" people sharpen knives? </div></div>

For 2000... What is a knife?

For 5000... Can u use a Facebook with a knife?

 

[fastone20]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cavemanmoore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't realize this was a dying art? My everyday use knife gets sharpened on a stone a couple times a week. Just figured that's how most people did it. How do "young" people sharpen knives? </div></div>


Wicked edge

 

[HajjWhisperer]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

I use water stones most of the time. I do cheat and use an edge pro occasionally when I'm traveling, mostly because it's lighter than stones in my bag and doesn't freak out airport security. It is amazing how many people carry knives and have no idea how to sharpen them. They spend 100's of dollars on "tactical" knives made out of whatever exotic steel and then don't maintain the edge. Might as well be a Walmart special at that point. IMO it's definitely a dying art and I wish it would make a comeback as a common man skill again and save me the hassle of having to sharpen everyone's knives every time I show up to work.

 

[h4everything]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Wicked Edge as well. I can sharpen with a stone though. Takes forever for me though.

 

[Tactical]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

My Dad was a Chief for 45 years ( may he rest in peace)
He taught me to use stones and makes knives sharp. He said you always cut yourself with a dull knife.

I ended up sharpening 30 knives twice a week for many years. I was pretty good at it back then. Then I got lasy and did the once a month thing of just the kitchen knives. Now I am mediocre.

Panser75/Chris can make a knife so sharp you will cut what ever you get close to. He is an artist

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

I've never been worth a shit with a stone. My Grandfather was and tried to teach me but I never got the hang of it.

I decided to cheat and now use one of these like a couple others have mentioned.

 

[hessian]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Sharpening knives is easy if you have a good knife. Most blades are made of stainless steel. Shit knife material. The marketing folks want a nice clean and shiny blade. Chrome steel will not burn with an acetylene torch but will not hold an edge .Get a knife without chromium. Japanese make some good ones. DO NOT let your woman touch it.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Okay, it is either a PMoore diamond hand sharpness or my belt sharpener in the garage. 220 and then leather strop belts. Or if the edge is real nice convexfrom the factory I'll use the kitchen steel sharpener. BTW, the reason why manufacturers are going with the cheaper stainless steel is because they are easy to sharpen. People have lost the will to learn to use a stone. I guess it became too much work. Sanrenmu knives out of China are the bomb right now. You can get a $100 knife for $10. It just won't have a brand name on it. Problem with learning on a stone is that if you start out with a hollow grind you have to grind that down until it is convex edge. Most people don't even know they are taking two steps back from the get go. Go to the Bass Pro Shop and you will see them sharpening knives with a wheel sharpener. That will create a hollow grind. Take the knife home and starting sharpening with your own stuff and you end up with a dull knife unless you know what got to begin with. Most people just keep sharpening until the edge is ruined and needs to be reprofiled, which will probably never happen.

Also, please don't use those cheap sharpeners that shred the steel horizontal off the edge.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

heh heh, guess the smile didn't come through so good FM. I was laughing my ass off at the 'hey, he came to MY house to shapren...you get the idea, funny shit

6 is the military radio term for the Colonel(Or whoever the highest commander is, like maybe a patrol leader is 6, but his leader is 6 Actual), military thing

Panty is what the wife wears, SO,

Panty 6 is 'the one who shall be obeyed', the one with the ring that gets your check. Term of affection that we use for our wimmins. I got it from an old friend who was a 1SG(His Ex and my Panty 6 are best friends...which makes for one hell of a vacation if she shows up around the first of the month...ever have to live in a house where TWO wimmins are 'in sync'?) and FM got it from me using it here and I am sure that someone else will use it just because as a military/former military type, it works

 

[slowkota]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

We need a knife sharpening tutorial (with fuckin pictures, lol)

 

[Genius.]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

I'm trying to learn the art of sharpening.

Being only 29 I figure it is a dying art, and one I want to learn and know.

 

[Foul Mike]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Switchblade, the humor was here on this end also.
You came up with it first here, however, it was not the first time I had heard it but when you used it I got a good laugh and it all came back. That was why I used Panty 6+. I am saying My Squaw is kind of a big old goodun , or a good old biggun.
I first heard it used in Germany when I was in Nuremburg Hospital as a guest after attending the war games in sunny southeast Asia.
There was a SFC there who had been in the 25th Div. in RVN that ran the motor pool.
He lived on post in housing and he and I were known to, on occasion, take a sham in the afternoon and retire to his TOC and pop a top or two.
On one of those shams, after a little oiling, he told his Old Lady,"Hey Panty 6, we are low out here so bring in a couple of Tuchers for reenforcements."
She was a German but her English was pretty good.
When he said that I had to laugh, but when she brought them out with a scowl on her face and said,"Vas est this Panty 6 schizen and why do you two fools laugh so hard?" I lost it.
Laughing so hard, Tucher coming out of my nose and mouth and me having a hard time to not laugh myself to death.
Tucher was one of the best local beers.
You are the one that came up with the term and I will defer to you and only use it when my Squaw gives me a case of the ass.
Thanks for the memories, Regards, FM

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

ROFL, that is indeed funny chit! When Ilona, her best friend heard me say that, her words were exactly the same. Ilona is from Frankfurt. The only time I have heard her laugh more was when I said I was goin gto make and eat Kiesler(pronounced Key See ler) She asid,"You are going to eat clitorus?" We LOAO cracked a few beers then she said,"I think you meant KAAsler, the brined, smoked pork chops"
A month later when her sister Diana came up to visit, we're having brews that evening and Diana looks at me, smiles and says"So ven ve eatink dis Keisler James?" I swear that I was the only one who saw that she was wearing no panties and man she laughed hard...then told Ilona in German what she just did adn they both laughed. Panty 6...totally unawares and damn I am glad she still never caught on to the German. Me, the boys, we can understand it but not speak it...need to get to work on some of that kiesler...

 

[Foul Mike]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Switch, what is ROFL? I am not good at all this computer language.
I hope you understand why I use Panty 6+.
She gets her drawers at Denver Tent and Awning.
Lots of jargon and terms used by us that were there that are all slipping by the wayside.
Maybe we need to publish a book so our kids know what is being said.
My kids are good and know what things are, but they use words and phrases that their friend don't have a clue about.
For example, My son built a tube bottle rocket launcher that worked well.
We launched lots of bottle rockets that he learned that if he broke off some of the stick would go better. He got good with it and could get them going where he wanted them to go. He used smaller diameter tubes and did well.
There was a house not far away that was a haven for illegals coming into this country. I dubbed it LZ Beaner and the kids shot at it to the point that they moved out of there.
"Let's go shoot at LZ Beaner." I heard lots of times, and shoot they did, breaking off the sticks until things were popping right over the house on the LZ.
My kids speak a mixture of flattrack motorcycle racing, Viet Vet and American English.
Damn, I am proud of them. All have educations and ALL have jobs. What more could you ask for?
Regards, FM

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Rollin Onna FLoor, typically ROFLMMFAO(...laughing my motherfucking ass off)
There are quite a few who use that term of affection for their tough women. Thick skinned bitches we all love to hate, but can't do jack shit without, and would turn into little cryin bitches ourselves if they ever left.

Panty 6 gets her boots straight from Danner, has Corcoran's Jump, Field, AND Tanker boots, Doc's, and Gripfast. She really DOES wear combat boots, and carries a knife that has seen the skin of, heh he heh, a skinhead bitch that was threatening her friends. 36D's, inked up arms, and an accounting degree, and a job with a local business firm. She has her own accounts after only 6 months and brings in business all on her own. She has put up with Marines, bad cops, Soldiers, Soldier's WIVES, and a metric ton of bullshit in our 26 years. She has earned every bit of that name, along with her best friend who's ex is a retarded 1SG contracting overseas. Their skin is thicker than many here, and softer where it counts.

My boys speak the language of technology, science, mathematics, and engineering and a little gearhead racer tossed in. Guns, explosives and fun stuff for them. The youngest speaks and writes the language of music, plays Tenor, Alto Sax, Bass and B Flat Clarinet, Oboe, and wants to learn the pipes. The middle one is a IT whiz and expects to go into Visual Programming or hardware programming one day...maybe change his mind a few times between now and then. Both, straight A's, and Middle one in the gifted kid academy, with his little brother hard on his heels to get there too. July 4th and New Year's eve, they launch somewhere in the neighborhood of 72 - 144 2" mortars into the skies, light up over 4000 firecackers, a shit ton of whatever goes up and explodes and whistles. When it's all gone, they always ask for more.
The oldest in Brooklyn/upper east side, well, he speaks the language of very fine liquor, buys for the upscale shop and is their webmaster. I get bottles for the good holidays. damn proud of him, he's seeking his fortune, playing in a rockanroll band, and has a little hottie that I KNOW is trying really hard to get the ring(Hope she does too)

My guess is we both share a healthy plane woith many others in our respects

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

I turn 32 tomorrow, the only way I have ever sharpened a knife was with a stone. I have tried many methods, and many "alternative" sharpeners. One was this ancient setup made with a bunch of washers. Those put a quick edge on the blade, BUT, I find it gets a wire edge just as fast, which I think has something to do with the fact its done lengthwise.

If I have an edge in pretty bad shape, I use a 2 sided stone, flooded with WD40, coarse side, then fine side, flooded as well. Wipe the blade down, go to my Arkansas stone with just a few dry passes to polish the edge. Give it a stop on a leather belt and and it is good to go. Edges hold better, longer and if they start to dull its usually just a few passes on the leather and its back in action. I got knives made from all kinds of steels. Some cheap POS, some good quality steel, stainless and carbon, ALL razor sharp. Like anything else, you just need patients and consistency.

 

[Foul Mike]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Switch, there is no doubt in my military mind that you and I share a lot of the same feelings.
One is that when we thought it appropriate, we did not hesitate to Lock some Heels and explain why someone was fucking up and when needed apply a good hard swat to the offending persons ASS, because they had just given us a case of the ASS.
My kids are in order, a US prison guard who teaches marksmanship to others as well as his regular duties, a RN nurse with a good job, and the Wild Child, a pilot, airplane driver, flew the bush in Alaska and is now settling down to lots of hours per day flying.
That is all done, but I digress.
The Man who gave me this stone was a meatcutter in the Army during WWII.
He showed me how to use a cleaver and take care of it as well as saws. He did the same thing as a butcher after he was discharged here in Colorado.
We slaughtered cattle and hogs as well as cut up my game animals.
He showed me how to make sausage and what kind of knife it took to get the meat off of the bones in various places and why to use that knife and not another.
He showed me what he called the angle and the dangle as to sharpening. You remove the dangle with a steel and/or a crock.
While working with him, His Panty 6 petite,[75+ years old so had some practice} would be helping us and she steeled her knives on an old crock that had a crack at the base that she could not use it for pickling and they were always sharp to the point that she wanted them.
The edge of the crock was a shiny gray and she would have My Squaw wipe it down for her on occasion with vinegar so as to not taint the meat.
She also showed The Squaw what angle to hold for what blade.
So, my friends, if you do not think there is an Art to all that, you are mistaken.
It was taught to me by a fine friend who is now gone and I wish I had videos of that but they did not exist at the time and I seriously doubt he would have gone for it if they had been available.
He gave me that stone, brand new, old as dirt, still in the box, held by old yellow scotch tape on the sides of the box and told me "You know how to use it." and use it I do, as well as all of the other lessons you gave me.
RIP O Vanhook, The stone is out now and I am using it.
Regards, FM

 

[Foul Mike]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

Rather than use WD40 try some 10 WT food grade oil, if you can't get that go to a local farmer that has irrigation wells and get a small bottle of 10 wt. drip oil.
You will be much happier. Regards, FM
It will clean off if using drip oil.

 

[Quigley77]

Re: Carborundum sharping stone

My dad has a black Arkansas stone I can remember him using when I was just a kid. Both sides literally have washouts the whole length from use, but his knives are still razor sharp any time he hands you one! Just one of the many skills I can thank him for. My own finish stone is white, but the skill set is not forgotten!