Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: GaryR on January 27, 2012, 11:16:14 am

Title: draw knife sharpening
Post by: GaryR on January 27, 2012, 11:16:14 am

I got a draw knife off ebay and sharpened it with my dremel. I went to work on a hickory stave and man it seems like it should be a little easier to remove wood. Should I have sharpened at more of a 40-45 degree angle, rather than the 20-30 I used?

Title: Re: draw knife sharpening
Post by: cracker on January 27, 2012, 11:30:20 am

I usually use a flat file at the same angle as the origianl bevel on the blade to remove deep nicks in the blade and then a whet rock to put a slightly steeper bevel and bring up the very sharp edge that you need to cut efficiently. If I'm chasing rings I use a dull draw knife. Ron

Title: Re: draw knife sharpening
Post by: jonathan creason on January 27, 2012, 11:51:04 am

And remember the back side needs to be flat.  If you only sharpened the bevel odds are you pushed a burr over to the flat side.  Touch up the back and knock that burr off and you should be able to tell some difference.

Title: Re: draw knife sharpening
Post by: GaryR on January 27, 2012, 12:07:00 pm

johnathan, should I touch up the flat side with a file?

Title: Re: draw knife sharpening
Post by: cracker on January 27, 2012, 12:21:56 pm

Good point J.C. it's so automatic to me I didn't think of it.

Title: Re: draw knife sharpening
Post by: jonathan creason on January 27, 2012, 12:32:05 pm

Either a file or stone will work fine.  Use long strokes and focus on keeping everything flat.

Title: Re: draw knife sharpening
Post by: GaryR on January 27, 2012, 12:33:53 pm

I do belive I see where I went wrong. Thanks