How I sharpen a bunch of knives

One of the less-fun parts of the knifemaking process is sharpening a whole bunch of knives at once. I've been busting my tail for the show, and have 15 to sharpen today.

Here's a picture set about how I sharpen a bunch of knives at one time. If you're going to do a bunch, you need a system. I have these knives set out on an ironing board Each is set beside the sheath it goes with. They're all pointed the same direction. As I move one off the grinder at a stage, I flip it over. That way if I have to walk away, I know where I am in the process.



I use trizact belts on my grinder to cut the initial bevel. 160 for the first cut, then 400 before I go to the stones. If the light is right, you can see the burr form on each grit if you have it right.


After all of the knives have been done on the grinder up to 400, I move to the stones. I set them in my vise, so the hight is comfortable and the base is stable. I use 600 then 1000 stones, then strop. I also check the sharpness on my ankles or shoulders, so that my forearms aren't bald. Tricks of the trade

Is that ironboard cover for sale?

Bwaahahahaha!

OP, thanks for the post. I've been making a few knives of late and I can use all the tips I can get.

You are going to have some really beauties for the show.
Great sharpening routine.

Jason, does the grinder heat up the blades enough to make a difference in the temper?

Looks like you have all the kinks ironed out on your sharpening routine. You have any individual pics of those knives. Some great looking work in the few I can see.

I bet I could severely screw a knife up with that equipment!

Looks good though.

LOL on the ironing board cover. Yes it was for sale, Walmart, 1998.

As far as ruining the temper of the edge... several things to say about that. Yes, you can absolutely ruin a knife at this stage. I've sharpened a couple hundred blades this way, so I have the technique down so I can do it without ruining them. The secret is slow speed on the grinder and light pressure on the knife. Heat is your enemy. Slow grinder, light pressure equals less heat.

As far as "I bet I could severely screw a knife up," so could I. I sharpen when I'm fresh, awake, alert, attentive. This is the very last step before they go out the door, and it totally stinks to have to fix things at this stage.

As far as individual pictures, I have posted them on this board as I finshed them over the past few weeks. Also, I've consolidated the knives for the show into a single page on my website, which you can get to through my signature line.

Better chance to cut yourself.

I went to slicing paper so I don't have bald forearms.

Nice set up!

Wow. You take knife sharpening serious.

Thanks for showing us how its done.

X2

You have hair on your ankles and shoulders? I need to start taking testosterone.

Lol