Kitchen Knife Sharpening

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:20 pm

While I watched the demo, one question occurred to me: what about sharpening stainless steel blades?

BPR

Greenvilleguy · Post by **Greenvilleguy** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:56 pm

Once again, we see the versatility of SS tools. Some years ago, I elected to buy a Delta Strip Sander instead of the SS.

I couldn't help but notice that Nick mounted the Strip Sander on the right side of the SS thereby making the tool go in reverse, i.e. the belt spins up instead of down. My Delta sure can't do that. It doesn't have variable speeds either.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:19 pm

Actually, Doug, I've got the strip sander on a Mark V "mini" (shortened tubes, no carriage) that I found abandoned in a corner of the factory. Sometime in the future, I plan to transfer my sharpening station to a Power Stand. The Power Stand has a reversible motor. With a double-throw, three-position switch and a little electrical imagination, I can have a strip sander that swings both ways.

BPR, early stainless steel was almost impossible to sharpen and many myths grew up around the material that no longer apply. There are slight differences in keeness and edge durability between today's steels, but they are not significant when sharpening home and workshop edges. The pocket knife that I sharpened in the video has stainless steel blades. After I sharpened it, Drew was slicing paper in the air. Knives don't get sharper than that.

Thanks for the kind words, folks.

With all good wishes,