Re: Penknives..

The trick Mups, is never let them get too blunt in the first instance - keep them topped up if you like.

Also, differing knives, blade thicknesses etc are sharpened at differing angles. A Swiss army knife for example is sharpened to what's called (approx) a 40 deg inclusive angle, or 20 deg each side.
You can tell a knife is sharp if it can slice a piece of paper easily.

Sharpening a knife to a razor edge actually takes considerable practice. It's difficult to explain really.

Re: Penknives..

Yes, I know they should be 'topped up' fender, but what if they're too far gone? Because I don't know what tools to use everything gets blunt sooner or later.

Re: Penknives..

They are never too far gone Mups.

Have a look at the attached video.
Also, I need to place an order with one of my suppliers next week. If you bear with me and pm me your address, I'll send you a couple of things free of charge..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtSMCsWk2gw

Re: Penknives..

I will have a look at the video first.
Thankyou fender, you're a sweetheart.

Re: Penknives..

Hi fender, I have finally had chance to watch the video, and have made my bit of paper to 22 & half degrees like the man said.
I really feel I have achieved something already.

Now, where do I get those stones from, how do I know which to buy, and do I really need that bit of leather or not?

Ta muchly.

Re: Penknives..

I bought an French Opinel knife after seeing a documentary on TV5 satellite channel.
See this short film about their production

https://youtu.be/KNELKUpH10k

I also have a version of a Swiss knife given to me by a Heidelberg company called Druva.

When in the Boy Scouts, I had two knives with their leather sheaths , one double edged and the other single edged.

Re: Penknives..

I've always carried a knife of some sort and not always penknives. I had a sheaf knife on my belt for quite a few years in Australia. I carry an Opinel No.8 penknife with the stainless blade. Probably the best knife I've ever had for holding an edge but a lot of work to get the edge back if you let it go. I'll have to have a dig around and see what's hiding in the drawers.

Re: Penknives..

I found a few things around the place. The two pieces of rust I found metal detecting. The one on the righthand side is an Opinel. It looks a bit different to the one I use. The bottom right right is a barmans pocket knife which was given to me in New Zealand by a wine company. The Vitrinox in the middle was given as a present to my wife.

Re: Penknives..

Nice find,

I ordered a Victorinox Forester today to add to my collection.

Re: Penknives..

Arrived today - really impressed with this one..