knife sharpener?

[DrGonzo]

got a load of kitchen knives in need of a sharpen.
The standard tool they came with is pretty crap, also tried a sharpening stone but cannot get them sharp on that either. I've tried various techniques including Ray Mears figure of 8 sharpen and no luck.
Any ideas on what to try or some other tool that will do the job better? Something like an 8mil bastard file

 

[ladylola]

I've got one of those devices with the two hardened steel wheels in it but whilist it does sharpen them it tends to rip the knife and not leave a very decent edge.
I tend now to stick to fine grade dry carbo stone and a smooth off on either an oil or water stone the latter giving a finer edge. Unfortunately though it's largely down to practise

 

[Burnerman]

I agree, the best result will come from a honing oil stone - which takes ages of use to get it right!
I use a horizontal whetstone grinder - but we have a shoe / heel bar nearby that offers a sharpening service which maybe you have.
Remember the old guy on the bike that used to come round the doors doing this? The blades invariably were blunter than before
John

 

[joe-90]

Belt sander with worn fine belt and low speed - sharpens anything from knives to chisels to plane irons. Finish off on an oilstone.

 

[Burnerman]

You can get those diamond dust sharpening stones now.....never used one though.
John

 

[DrGonzo]

I've got a stone bought off ebay so maybe it's rubbish but doesn't seem to work.
I would take it round to a cobblers but invariably it;s going to cost an arm and a leg for something that I could do myself if I just knew what to buy.

How long should it take to sharpen a blunt knife? I've read 15mins in some places. Maybe I'm not spending enough time sharpening it less than 5 mins sometimes.

 

[Burnerman]

A moving abrasive belt - as per Joe's suggestion - would have an edge on in seconds.
If you are using an oilstone it can take much longer...ideally the edge is simply honed to a finer angle using these. Invariably, people tend to take the sharp edge off, until they get used to it (looking at the chisels I sharpen for folks)
John

 

[merlin50]

i do mine on a sanding disc on a lathe, if you do not have a lathe its worth getting one

 

[gregers]

You can get those diamond dust sharpening stones now.....never used one though.
John

yep dmt sharpening stones.
http://www.dmtsharp.com/

ive got a couple of the butterfly versions which are very good,faithful do a block version like the dmt which i bought from travis perkins yonks back and seems to be working very well,iirc cost about 10 quid.

 

[DrGonzo]

You can get those diamond dust sharpening stones now.....never used one though.
John

yep dmt sharpening stones.
http://www.dmtsharp.com/

ive got a couple of the butterfly versions which are very good,faithful do a block version like the dmt which i bought from travis perkins yonks back and seems to be working very well,iirc cost about 10 quid.

Had some DMTs for my skis but they're only about 3 inches long.
Tried the knives on them and still no luck - must be doing something wrong or the steel is crap.

 

[Burnerman]

I think I'd cut ( ) my losses and go for some new ones now.....spend some decent money (I've got some Prima Profoline knives which are great).
Marks and Sparks do some good ones too - with the usual M&S warranty, of course.
John

 

[foxhole]

I use a kitchen steel on the knife after each use , goes back in the draw sharp ready for next time.

 

[Threadjacker]

I remember when I was 16 doing engineering at college and the lecturer stated talking about Ba57ard files and I was stood at the back giggling like a little girl. I seem to remember he had a selection of files in front of him and he was naming them, smooth ba57ard, rough ba57ard and ba57ard rasp.

Something in the way he said it, just made me want to die laughing.

 

[Lower]

http://www.pots-and-pans.co.uk/acatalog/MinoSharp_Plus_Knife_Universal_Sharpener_Black_Red.html

i have one of these. Very effective.

 

[ladylola]

One more thing for after you've sharpen your knifes. Try cutting wet newspaper, if your knife isn't truely sharp then it will tear and not cut the wet paper.