HF $2.99 knife sharpener

Status
Not open for further replies.
Donald

Donald

Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
31,804
Location
Near the beach in Delaware
I bought one of these as my wife wanted something in the kitchen. Its got 2 stones arranged in a "V" and the one sentence directions say to just pull the knife blade through.

http://www.harborfreight.com/quickview/index/index/id/11155/

Can this actually work?? Issues below:

1) The edge of the blade that you want the sharpest will be dragged along the bottom of the "V" and I cannot imagine that would a good way to keep the edge sharp.

2) The "V" is way to wide for kitchen knives, maybe something like an ax would fit into this "V".
 
SHARPENING.....it should be more than a course, more than major. Mastery of it should make one eligible for doctoral candidacy.

I have seen a "pull sharpener" or two which actually removed some metal and left a sharpened edge.
I would have as much faith in a H.F. example as any other.....namely little.

Working a blade on a succession of whetstones is the best I've ever been able to do.
It takes time and trial and error.

My father used to harden tool steel and make wood carving tools.
Stone sharpening is the only way he'd go.
He reaped the benefits of sharp tools directly but thought sharpening was tedious.

I had a brother-in-law who had a machine with counter-rotating stones which did an OK job.

I still make the trip to a tool grinding shop in Brooklyn to have my knives sharpened.
3rd Ave. Grinding is the name of the place.

You said, "...cannot imagine that would a good way to keep the edge sharp.", among other things. Why'd you buy it?
OK, so you did. Run some blades through it and see. If it's trash, rid yourself of it or return it and get your money back. At least H.F. has a super lenient return policy.

I'd say try a Smith's 3 stone set-up or flat stones. Practice is sooooooo important.

An old man in Finland took my reasonably sharp folding knife (with a central chip) and "thumbed" it on a stone.
He handed me back an extremely sharp blade. There was a small inward wave where the chip had been.
HE was good! Good luck. Kira
 
Redi Edge and others use a similar principle. Seems you have to pull lightly or else you'll make the blade sing and engrave the blade with phonograph-like bumps. With Redi Edge, they recommend the 40 degree one for general kitchen use.

It's not bad, but I find I like stones better. If you're away from home then the Redi Edge is a lot more convenient.
 
Use a stone to get your knives sharp, and a steel to keep them that way. Getting knives sharp and keeping knives sharp isn't rocket science-it's actually quite simple and really does not require a "doctoral candidacy", nor do you need to pay someone else to do it.
 
Originally Posted By: Kira
SHARPENING.....it should be more than a course, more than major. Mastery of it should make one eligible for doctoral candidacy.

I have seen a "pull sharpener" or two which actually removed some metal and left a sharpened edge.
I would have as much faith in a H.F. example as any other.....namely little.

Working a blade on a succession of whetstones is the best I've ever been able to do.
It takes time and trial and error.

My father used to harden tool steel and make wood carving tools.
Stone sharpening is the only way he'd go.
He reaped the benefits of sharp tools directly but thought sharpening was tedious.

I had a brother-in-law who had a machine with counter-rotating stones which did an OK job.

I still make the trip to a tool grinding shop in Brooklyn to have my knives sharpened.
3rd Ave. Grinding is the name of the place.

You said, "...cannot imagine that would a good way to keep the edge sharp.", among other things. Why'd you buy it?
OK, so you did. Run some blades through it and see. If it's trash, rid yourself of it or return it and get your money back. At least H.F. has a super lenient return policy.

I'd say try a Smith's 3 stone set-up or flat stones. Practice is sooooooo important.

An old man in Finland took my reasonably sharp folding knife (with a central chip) and "thumbed" it on a stone.
He handed me back an extremely sharp blade. There was a small inward wave where the chip had been.
HE was good! Good luck. Kira


My father really gets into knife sharpening ... it really is involved!
 
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Use a stone to get your knives sharp, and a steel to keep them that way. Getting knives sharp and keeping knives sharp isn't rocket science-it's actually quite simple and really does not require a "doctoral candidacy", nor do you need to pay someone else to do it.


True, but the common person has no idea as to the angle at the edge, let alone as to how to master using a stone.

Myself, I used to make knives, using either the removal method or forge & anvle. And yes I did know all about the angles and how to use a stone.

BTW, if using stones the use of arkansas stones is the only way to go.
 
I've had great luck with the bottom of a coffee mug. The ceramic is fine and so t remove too much but its not teadious. Learned that way back in scouts. You can feel the blade angle , and if you can't, you choose one you like to hold and run with it

Way cheaper than stones. Way more common too. Bigger blades get a ceramic casserole dish
 
Originally Posted By: hansj3
I've had great luck with the bottom of a coffee mug. The ceramic is fine and so t remove too much but its not teadious. Learned that way back in scouts. You can feel the blade angle , and if you can't, you choose one you like to hold and run with it

Way cheaper than stones. Way more common too. Bigger blades get a ceramic casserole dish
Yah, that is what I have learned. To feel the angle and follow it. I use a file and a grinder to make an edge , then I hone it on a stone. I'll have to try the coffee cup too
grin2.gif
 
Being kind of a knife fanatic no I would never use that I use a spyderco sharpening system but would love to Have a wicked edge
smile.gif
 
These HF V sharpeners work great for someone with terrible knives and the least bit of know how, or want to when it comes to sharpening. I like to cook, and I have a friend whose knives were nearly useless. I picked up one of these, and after a few strokes it is definitely serviceable.
 
Originally Posted By: Kira
I still make the trip to a tool grinding shop in Brooklyn to have my knives sharpened.
3rd Ave. Grinding is the name of the place.

When was the last time you went to 3rd Ave Grinding? It appears to be closed.
 
I give my knives to my father to sharpen, when he's done you can shave with them. It is an art, that I haven't mastered to the degree he has.
 
Originally Posted By: hansj3
I've had great luck with the bottom of a coffee mug. The ceramic is fine and so t remove too much but its not teadious. Learned that way back in scouts. You can feel the blade angle , and if you can't, you choose one you like to hold and run with it

Way cheaper than stones. Way more common too. Bigger blades get a ceramic casserole dish


This is the principal behind a "crock stick." I use sandpaper/diamond sharpening plate and then the crock stick. The abrasives are for knives that need more material removed. Once you have the bevel where you want it the crock stick can provide a very good edge. The unglazed bottom ring of a coffee mug, plate, crock pot liner, etc. works as does the edge of a car window if you're in a pinch.
 
One thing I have learned when watching all the sharpening videos is that there are many paths to enlightenment (a sharp knife). But, I don't want to become so fanatical that I need my knife edge to have a mirror sheen and split a hair in two. I obtain very good workable edges. Most will cut phone book paper. Even that may be a bit over the top. But, manual sharpening is a soothing activity for me. I've done well enough on my own knives to start offering to do work for others.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
1 Week Review - 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Limited
2 3 4
Replies
79
Views
19K
We're Metals
M
  • Locked
Honing oils
Replies
10
Views
3K
mjoekingz28
R
  • Locked
Knife sharpeners (Global knives)
Replies
12
Views
4K
robbobster
Back
Top Bottom