So I just picked up a cheap tactical knife to hold me over until I get something good, only the thing is about as sharp as a butter knife, and I’m not even exagerating, dollar store scissors are sharper. It’s a nice well built knife overall though, with a thick blade, and I like it, but it is just WAY to dull to use right now.

I have never tried sharpening a knife before though, and despite multiple attempts on three different “sharpeners” that I picked up at Menards today, I have made zero progress ofher fhan scratching up the finish and tireing out my hands, what am I doing wrong? The sharpener “instructions” are no damn use, they don’t even mention which grit is on which side of the block, one side is 220, the other 120, I just don’t know which is which, and they both feel the same, one is darker and one is lighter, that’s the only difference I can see. I also have a small 220 only stone, and one of those plastic things with a “coarse” and “fine” V notch. Nothing has worked so far, it won’t even cut paper without tearing it. If anything it is even duller than when I started.

Wear might I find a commercial sharpening service?

To The Point sharpening by Tana n Grizz 512-549-0919

I use wicked edge knife sharpener and haven't had a knife I can't sharpen yet. If you have a lot of knives or like really sharp knives its something worth investing in.

Ken Onion

Thump

Work Sharp

Takes about 2 minutes to sharpen any knife.

yep just be careful not to round off the tip

Yes it is easy to round off the tip. Way to avoid that is not ise the half of belt closesy to you on the tip. Get the tip almost to the halfway point then lett off the trigger

If you keep the knife level through the entire pull, it will not round off the tip. Mentally many think they need to dip down the blade profile in order to sharpen to the tip. Not the case, just keep the blade level and it will sharpen up to the tip.

This.

Thanks will look into this

I have a Work Sharp but really don't care for it. I probably have about 15 stones and mostly use them. However, several years ago I bought one of the motors and wheels like the ones that are used at the Gun Shows. If I have trouble with a blade, I generally use it, followed by stones. Then steel and strop.

Lansky or Spyderco Sharpmaker are both reasonable and very easy to get good results with

Lansky is the best and cheapest to hone your knife when it’s not too dull. I have a 12” whetrock I inherited from my great grandfather when my knives get too dull. I did learn something the other morning. A buddy of mine at a gas plant. He sharpened his knife on the top of the drivers side window of his truck. I called bullsht and checked my pocket knife, It wouldn’t shave. I hit it 10 times on each side and that SOB shaved an inch of hair offmy arm with no effort.

Just like a piece of ceramic or a butchers steel a car window or even a stack of paper will hone an edge back to shaving if the blade is not too dull and the user knows how.

You can't go wrong with good stones and taking the time
to learn and properly hone knives yourself.

A coarse, a medium and a fine stone used with 22 to 25 degree hold
and stones having a coat of light oil and a patient hand will sharpen
any knife. It is something I enjoy and helps get my mind right when
I need some me time.

Good therapy if you don't feel like prepping brass.

I like your style