Knife Sharpening

[metrojoe]

I've got a couple fillet knives that need some work. One was dropped and the tip was damaged and the other was put into an old electric sharpener. I'd guess it would cost me $40 to $60 bucks to replace them.

Is it worth it to have them fixed?

Also, where would I take them?

[Guest]

For less than $40 you can pick up one of those sharpening kits from the likes of cabelas. They are the ones that have the metal rods as guides so your angle is always correct. I got one before X-mas and love it, the only problem is when your buddies see what a nice edge it puts on they want you to do their knives too!

[Guest]

Most sharpening businesses (lawnmower blades, etc.) do knives very inexpensively. Like, $2 or $3.
Also, check the web sites of the sharpener kit makers and go to a demo. The Lansky guys were at Gander last month. doing free sharpenings.

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RobertC

[Gissert]

The Lansky system is great for getting and keeping good edges on knives. Gander and Fleet have them, and they are usually in the 20 to 30 dollar range.

If you have a knife that is too far gone, have a pro get it back in shape, and then stay on top of it with the Lansky.

[Guest]

Get a miracle blade from Pig_sticka! he he

[Steve Foss]

Have a professional sharpener put the proper edge back on both knives. Then just buy the red Normark plastic/ceramic sharpeners sold all over for a few bucks.

I just drag the fillet knife across these sharpeners after EACH fish cleaning session, and my knives remain as razor sharp as the day I bought them.

One hint: A wet knife and wet ceramic works better. I just run both under the faucet before sharpening.

[metrojoe]

Thanks for the info guys,

I ended up bringing them into a professional, because they were both in rough shape. He only charged me 2 bucks a knife. "Now their scary sharp" He was shaving his arm hairs off with them. Which reminds me, I better wash them.

I like the look of the Lansky system but how do you sharpen a 6 or 7 inch fillet knife blade?. It seems like it would be hard to keep a consistant edge with such a flexable blade.

[This message has been edited by metrojoe (edited 01-25-2003).]

[Gissert]

The Lansky works just fine on fillet knives. It may take a bit longer as you can't use as much pressure on the stone. If you first have a good edge on the knife, and then stay on top of it with the Lansky, it is easy to keep them in great shape.

I also have that plastic handled Edgemaster system, and that works ok too. Now I maintain the sharpness with the Lansky, and touch up with the final Edgemaster when cleaning fish. Every couple of fish (especially perch)I draw the blade through the yellow edgemaster tool. That straightens out the edges, and keeps you nice and sharp.

[upnorth]

I don't have anything fancy just a stone and an old butchers steel. I use the stone to get the edges tapered back a little, then I use the steel to sharpen the knife about every 3 or 4 fish. The trick is to never let them get too dull, it sucks to try and bring them back.

And yes I can shave with my old Rapala filet knife, that thing has to 25 years old, the leather case has kinda rotted away but the knife works great.

[Steve Foss]

upnorth:

I also have an ancient Rapala fillet knife, a 7-inch blade. I've refinished the wooden handle twice because the finish has flaked away, and the blade remains sharp as can be.

No knife will stay sharp unless you keep it that way, and folks who say never let it get dull are 100% right.

There are a lot of systems, and the little cheap Normark hand sharpener I mentioned earlier will work perfectly as a maintenance sharpener if you use it often enough so the blade doesn't get dull. If you let it get dull (I sharpen after every cleaning session, more than once per session if there are a lot of fish), you need a different system to bring it back.

[deadeye]

I also use the cheap normark sharpener that came with my fillet knife and it works great. I use it before and after each time I clean fish and its still has a real nice edge. I also found that it works best when used under running water. As for the knives being fixed I would try to get them fixed if they cost that much. ><>
deadeye

[Guest]

"jewelstik" is a 3sided diamond stick that works great!
bought mine at cabelas think it was about $40.oo