Recurve Blade sharpening KIt

[Mandelised]

Hi all , nice to be here . I was taught how to sharpen by my dad (I've got ALL his wetstones) it is very clear that he never had a recurve blade. So I'm (preferably) after a UK knife sharpener kit that is portable, if possible (not my main aim TBH) to help me sharpen a recurve knife. Its my most common carry as it folds, is small , takes a beating, keeps a good edge. The lansky does a good job when out but the diamond sharp is ok but not long lasting and im ruining the edge of a wetsone sharpening this. Spyderco looks great nut im after UK manufacturer if at all possible. (edited for greater clarity)

 

[C_Claycomb]

Don’t really understand the “UK manufacturer” part.

Bit like hoping to find a UK located manufacturer of TVs.

Even within industrial abrasives, which has a wider market than knife sharpeners, it is hard to find anything UK made. There are UK companies that sell stuff made elsewhere, from companies in the US and Asia, but that is no different than just buying a Spyderco.

I could say you can just wrap some abrasive paper or film around a dowel or on a piece of plastic pipe, but I would not want to bet the maker of the sand paper or plastic pipe were UK located.

I think you would be better to expand to buying from a western manufacturer. UK only will be tough.

 

[Mandelised]

Don’t really understand the “UK manufacturer” part.

Bit like hoping to find a UK located manufacturer of TVs.

Even within industrial abrasives, which has a wider market than knife sharpeners, it is hard to find anything UK made. There are UK companies that sell stuff made elsewhere, from companies in the US and Asia, but that is no different than just buying a Spyderco.

I could say you can just wrap some abrasive paper or film around a dowel or on a piece of plastic pipe, but I would not want to bet the maker of the sand paper or plastic pipe were UK located.

I think you would be better to expand to buying from a western manufacturer. UK only will be tough.

I like to support UK companies, and suppliers where possible, ive edited the OP to clarify its a preference rather than a definitive line in the sand

 

[Nice65]

As Chris says, a few lengths of different diameter dowel with a strip of the grit of your choice stuck on with double sided tape. Duck is good, really sticky.

You may get UK pine dowel, and there certainly used to be UK abrasives available. Somewhere like Axminster might stock it. You could ask Stu Mitchell, Sheffield knife maker, he’d probably know.

Apart from abrasive rods, that’s about all I know about sharpening recurves. They are a pest.

 

[Broch]

This is a UK abrasives manufacturer - but nothing to satisfy your needs and all pretty course stuff (max 120 as far as I'm aware):

Home - Rubbing Blocks | Terrco Stones | Friction Coatings

UK manufacturer of abrasive products & friction coatings. Suppliers to flooring contractors, hire shops & stone masons. Next day delivery

bondedabrasivesltd.co.uk

 

[C_Claycomb]

Maybe something here.

Sharpening Tools and Stones

Buy vintage sharpening and honing guide along with a selection of sharpening stones. We often have in stock: natural stones oilstones, diamond sharpening stones and slip stones.

www.oldtools.co.uk

Old enough they might have been made in UK, cheap enough that you won’t worry about rounding corners.

Google and eBay search for Charnley Forest stone.

Am assuming that the steel is some reasonable easy to sharpen, not very hard, stainless.

Hey Broch, yeah, saw that manufacturer too. Was hoping to find somewhere making suitable aluminium oxide ceramic rods, but could find none that sold retail.

 

[HillBill]

You dont need anything fancy for recurves. Flat stone is fine, you just need to learn the techniques.

Dont try do the entire blade in one go. Start on either curve, doesnt matter which. On the inward curve, you need the handle to be way out in front at the start of the stroke, think 45 degrees as an example, tip facing you, handle facing far side of the stone. As you stroke it forward, pull/rotate the handle towards you, and the tip away. Keep the pressure on the blade just before the halfway point and dont press down too hard with the hand holding the handle, or you'll gouge into the corners of the stone.

The outward curve is basically the opposite. Better to treat it as 2 seperate areas, each with a different technique.

As said above, a curved sharpening surface can make it easier, but again, requires you to learn the techniques as you aren't getting support from the stone.

 

[Mandelised]

Thtas what ive been doing its just that im slowly losing a whet stone for one knife (a favourite knife though) . Never though about the dowel route. Ive got plenty of leather and some 2000 grit ill have a think on making a mini kit.

 

[C_Claycomb]

If you are not concerned about the source of the product (no idea where made…probably not UK), this diamond sheet is good for making curved sharpeners.

Axminster Diamond Sheets

These diamond-coated flexible steel sheets are incredibly versatile. They are ideal for making your own sharpening, honing, deburring, grinding, shaping or polishing tools. The sheets are 100mm wide and 200mm long, stainless steel, 0.4mm thick,...

www.axminstertools.com

Oh, and these things have two flat sides, one concave and one convex.

https://www.niwaki.com/sharpening-stone/?sku=P00332-4

 

[Mandelised]

Missed the quote doh !
Yup the outward curve i am sharpening as a std blade, the recurve bit ive using the corner of an older whet stone.
The curved stone above look intersting, i think as I have the bits i can make a decent honing tool / strop / thingy Maybe that diamond grit above if its fine enough on a spare stick i have (kenyan hardwood from my dad) to go in my portable sharpening kit.