The big knife/small knife thread got me thinking.....am I the only one who finds a sense of peace and comfort in sharpening steel edges? It can be broadheads, knives, axes, pruners, etc. It doesn't matter. If it has a cutting edge it should be sharp.

I find it very relaxing and then there's the obvious sense of pride in doing something like that with your hands. With a broadhead it goes even deeper (no pun intended) as that is the most important piece of bowhunting gear you have and is the first thing that makes contact with the deer. Killing a deer cleanly with an edge that you personally made with your own hands adds a level of connection to bowhunting that's priceless.

I hadn't thought about it until now, but you're right. I enjoy sharpening knives too and it does seem somewhat therapeutic. Good thing too because I suck at it and it takes me quite a while to get a good edge.

I got lost in working a factory edge on a n.o.s. Snow & Nealley drawknife the other day. I also had to fix the handles up a little bit because it acquired some dings in shipping. It's ready to rock and roll now!

I enjoy it. quite often I'll get the stone and cork sticks and kick back in my recliner and sharpen kitchen knives while watching TV. Very relaxing.

Sharp and ready to go to work.

Yes, and there is a certain gratitude in knowing you did it. Sure is a lot of people that can't. I sharpened one recently for a guy that told me "my knife is dull, time to buy another" and it wasn't a disposable knife.

Yea! can relate

got a whole set up for sharpening my knives will shave, if used will re touch the edge (nuts about it)

Thanks Jeff.....I DO NOT have a drawknife like that. Now I'll have to go get one!!!

I enjoy sharpening all my BH and knives by hand. I have really good luck with stones and a stop. A lot of my friends use that worksharp thing an love it, but I much prefer sharpening by hand, it's relaxing an part of preparing for the hunt. I figure it's a handy skill to have when everything else in this world has to be fast an stupid easy.

I love em. I have to try to exercise self control because I could see myself having too many. I guess I really only need one. Maybe I have too many now ;^)

These are the ones I have. The two on the left are Snow & Nealleys, the bottom left is the one I've used on most of the bows I've made. I've spent a LOT of quality time with that sucker. Top right is a Pexto, bottom right is an A. J. Wilkinson.

I use oilstones and butcher steels for knives and files and steels/crocksticks for everything else. All by hand.

I even sharpen chainsaws by hand but with a file jig. Even I can't maintain the proper angle on those! The electric ones work great but they eat away a chain in no time.

Yep, I love to relax with a steel in my hand. I have an old drawknife I think I'll sharpen up tonight. In fact, I think I sharpened it when I got it.

Joe

It's not something I am excited about going out and doing. But once I start, I really get into it and enjoy it. It's very rewarding when the task is complete.

You are 100% right it is very therapeutic

Nothing better than putting edges on things and fletching arrahs in the winter. Add a cigar, woodstove, and a beer and all is well.

I'm a carpenter since June 1973. I like sharp edge tools, so I learned to sharpen, just by doing it. Aside from knives and bheads, I sharpen every edge tool I own, hand saw blades, chain saw blades, chisels, axes you name it, all free hand. Like anything else do it enough and you can do it easily, by feel, just like the pros do in the shop.

As for being therapeutic, I can't say it is that for me, but like I said I like sharp edge tools so I keep mine in that condition. All I use is belt sander and DMT stones red blue and green. Works for me. I like sharp pencils too. lol

"I have to try to exercise self control because I could see myself having too many. I guess I really only need one."

??? So what does "NEED" have to do with it? It's STEEL...it calls to you....

I have a nice chunk of tool steel set aside and it's been calling to me. I'd like to forge a drawknife out of it one of these days.

I enjoy sharpening things also, and I think you are right, it is therapeutic. I just don't understand why folks can't sharpen things. It's not a special gift.....or is it?

If I have an edge that needs to be re beveled I start on one side and stroke away until I have a feather edge, and I keep count. Depending on how dull it is that can be as few as 100 strokes or several hundred more, although I usually don't let them get that bad. Then I reverse it and count the same number of strokes on the other side. I admit that this part of the sequence isn't all that relaxing.....MATH is involved!

But after that part then I start with the alternating strokes with my focus on blade angle. Now this is where I get into "the groove". When I get to where I'm using extremely light strokes and just barely keeping the honing oil moving then time just seems to stand still. It's also when that edge is getting literally razor sharp, as the lack of hair on my arms will attest.

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