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Abrasive Categories | Edge Descriptions | Frequently Asked Questions | 2009 EdgeSport Catalog
Diamonds
Because diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, diamond sharpeners are fast, durable, and very effective. Diamonds are captured in a nickel plating process and are bonded in a metal substrate. Premium diamond sharpening surfaces are characterized by a
unique interrupted surface that collects and hold the metal filings that ordinarily build-up on the sharpening surface and obscure the diamond abrasive. Excellent for use on very hard tools or stainless steel. Diamond stones always remain flat and will even sharpen carbides.
- Coarse Diamond (325 Grit) – Aggressive diamond surface that removes large amounts of metal. Takes a very dull or damaged edge and restores a good working edge.
- Medium Diamond (400 Grit) – Less aggressive diamond surface that removes moderate amounts of metal. Good starting point for blades that are somewhat, but not overly, dull and still have a consistent edge.
- Fine Diamond (750 Grit) – Least aggressive diamond surface that removes any remaining burrs and puts a razor sharp edge on the blade. Excellent for maintaining an already sharp edge.
Carbides
Carbide cutting blades quickly and easily restore very dull or damaged edges in 3 or 4 strokes. They remove large amounts of metal and are great for quickly restoring a very dull or damaged edge to a good, working edge.
Ceramics
Ceramics are excellent for finishing and maintaining an already sharp edge. Removes very little metal. Can come in different grits, colors, or shapes.
- Fine Ceramic (800 Grit) - Brown Stone
- Extra Fine Ceramic (1,000 Grit) - White Stone
Precision Systems
Guided sharpening systems hold the knife blade at the correct angle to the sharpener.
Precision Systems provide guaranteed results every time.
Steels
Conventional steel rods are used to realign the edge. They are not used for honing.
Arkansas Stones
Natural Arkansas stones are made from “novaculite,” which is indigenous to Arkansas. They are unique sharpeners because they hone and polish the edge or your blade at the same time. No other sharpener can perform both these tasks simultaneously. They remove the least
amount of metal while polishing your edge to razor sharpness.
- Medium (Soft) Arkansas Stone (600 Grit) – Most used, general purpose sharpening stone that removes moderate amounts of metal. It is molten gray in color with traces of black, and will produce a quick edge on blades or tools. Good starting point for blades that are somewhat, but not overly, dull and still have a consistent edge.
- Fine (Hard) Arkansas Stone (1,000 Grit) – Produces an extremely fine edge and is used for touching up, finishing, or smoothing cutting edges to razor sharpness. This stone is usually white in color with traces of rust or orange. Excellent for maintaining an already sharp edge.
Bonded Synthetics
This man-made vitrified stone is made out of either aluminum oxide or silicon carbide grit and makes for a great sharpening stone for quick edge setting to final finishing.
Straight Edge
The straight edge allows a smooth and clean cut. This edge can be used for firm and soft food like meat, vegetables, and fruit.
Serrated Edge
The serrated edge has notches or teeth like the cutting edge of a saw. In general, the serrated edge will work better for slicing cuts, especially through hard or tough surfaces, where the serrations tend to grab and bite (or pierce) through the surface quickly. Serrations have a grind on one side of the blade only. Sharpen the grind side only. Serrated Edge blades require a tapered rod or triangular-shaped surface to sharpen. If you use a flat stone to sharpen serrations, you can only sharpen the tips of the serrations.
Combination Edges
Blades with combination edges incorporate features of both straight and serrated edges. The back half of the blade will be the serrated edge portion of the blade and is used for heavy cutting or slicing. The front half of the blade will feature a straight edge for delicate trimming that requires smooth, clean cuts.
Straight Edge Blades with Gut Hook
A gut hook is used to cut open the abdomen. The hook prevents the user from “paunching” the animal and possibly affecting the quality of the meat. Like serrations, the gut hook requires a tapered rod or triangular-shaped surface to sharpen. Gut hooks may be ground on both sides of the blade or just one side of the blade. Whatever the case, any side of a gut hook with a grind should be sharpened.
Q: What type or style of sharpener is the best to use on my knife or tool?
Q: What type of sharpening abrasive is the best to use on my knife or tool?
Q: How often should I sharpen my knife or tool?
Q: How do I know when my knife is sharp?
Q: How do I clean my stone when it gets dirty?
Q: What is the best angle to sharpen your knife?
Q: What is the best Sharpener?
Q: How do you sharpen serrations?
Q: What type or style of sharpener is the best to use on my knife or tool?
A: A single type of sharpener might do a broad range of knives and tools. Others are designed to sharpen specific types of edges. For example, a sharpening stone can be used with knives and a great variety of tools, such as woodworker’s planes and chisels. But a flat stone cannot be used to sharpen a serrated knife blade, or a pair of scissors. Likewise, a sharpening steel or other round or tapered rod sharpeners will sharpen some serrated edges, but cannot be used to sharpen the woodworker’s tools. A precision guided system will help the unskilled user to hold a constant angle while sharpening a knife, but a skilled user of a flat bench stone can achieve the same results sharpening free-hand. Study the range of sharpener types, consider your skill level and select the style that most suits your needs and applications.
Q: What type of sharpening abrasive is the best to use on my knife or tool?
A: There are five major sharpening product categories: Arkansas Stones, Carbides, Ceramics, Diamonds, and Synthetics. Each of these product categories offers its own unique characteristics and sharpening capabilities. Arkansas Stones are the “World's Finest Finishing Stone” and are known for polishing your edge while removing very little metal. Carbides are very aggressive. These remove more metal while putting a good working edge back on your knife or tool in just three of four quick stokes. Ceramics are a vitrified product that put- a fine finished edge back on your knife or tool. Diamonds are aggressive and remove metal from your knife and tool very quickly and come in multiple grits. Synthetics are a man-made stone that come in multiple grits and provide edge setting as well as finishing capabilities. No matter what your product preference, all of these products will produce results. The choice really comes down to your sharpening skill and level of comfort.
Q: How often should I sharpen my knife or tool?
A: The only way to keep a sharp knife or tool is never let it get dull. We recommend that you touch up your knife or tool after every use, which makes it quick and easy to re-establish a sharp edge. If you let your knife or tool edge get dull, it is harder and takes more time to re-establish the edge to the desired sharpness.
Q: How do I know when my knife is sharp?
A: You can test you knife by cutting a piece of paper or you cut food with it to see if it is sharp. Some people think shaving hair from your arm indicates your knife is sharp, but we do not recommend this method. Over sharpening your knife can be just as bad as not sharpening your knife. Once you obtain a sharp edge, stop sharpening.
Q: How do I clean my stone when it gets dirty?
A: We recommend that you clean your stone with warm, soapy water and a nylon bristle brush.
Q: What is the best angle to sharpen your knife?
A: The consistency of your angle is more important than the degree of the angle that you use. Keeping a consistent sharpening angle on both sides gives you the sharpest possible edge.
We recommend a 23-degree angle as the best general purpose-sharpening angle for the best overall results on most knives. You can use whatever angle you wish or fill comfortable using, but remember to use the same angle on both sides in order to achieve the sharpest possible edge.
Q: What is the best Sharpener?
A: The best sharpener is the one that does what you want it to do. You should choose your sharpener based on your sharpening needs, your sharpening expertise, and type of sharpening material needed to achieve the edge sharpness required. You should consider the following when choosing your sharpener.
- In sharpening you need to be able to set your edge (Coarse) and then finish (Fine) your edge.
- Consistency of the sharpening angle is the key to getting the sharpest possible edge. Sharpeners with pre-set cutting heads or Precision Sharpeners work great and insure the proper sharpening angle every time.
- Portability. For field or shop use.
- Pick the sharpener that you fill most comfortable using based on your sharpening expertise. Guided sharpeners work great because they ensure guaranteed results, while flat stones provide the sharpening enthusiasts the opportunity to hand hone the edge based on their individual requirements.
- Choose the sharpening material based on your application:
- Arkansas Stone – Finishing stone that polishes your edge to razor sharpness while removing very little metal.
- Diamond – Removes metal quickly on very hard steel and leaves a sharp edge.
- Carbide – Very aggressive edge setting capabilities and leaves a good working edge.
- Ceramic – Faster sharpening than an Arkansas stone and leaves a very sharp finished edge.
- Bonded Abrasive – Removes metal quickly and leaves a sharp edge and is the most affordable.
If you evaluate your sharpening needs you will be able to come up with the sharpener that works best for you. No matter what sharpener you choose they all will work, but in their own unique way.
Q: How do you sharpen serrations?
A: The proper way to sharpen serrations is to use a tapered round or triangular shaped abrasive rod or stones. These unique shapes allow you to sharpen the whole cutting edge of the serration as well as the tips while giving you the most consistent results. If you use a flat stone you can only sharpen the tips of the serration.
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