AG Russell - Sharpening on Stones

This video is the second in the Knife Sharpening Video Series. It explains the process of using sharpening stones to sharpen a knife, gives a bit of history relating to sharpening stones and explains the differences between some of the materials used to make sharpening stones. It features Hard Arkansas stone as an example, but gives information on a variety of different stones. It also teaches users how to clean, care for, and store natural stones.
Natural Stones like Hard and Soft Arkansas have yet to be added online, but can be purchased by phone - Toll Free: 800-255-9034. Ask about other sizes. The item numbers below are 6" long.
Hard Arkansas Item number: H621
Soft Arkansas Item Number: S621
To see our full set of knife sharpening articles and videos please visit: agrussell.com/e...
To view the previous video in this series click on this link: • AG Russell Sharpening ...
To view the next video in this series click on this link:
• A.G. Russell on Cerami...

[@swamp.stomper]

It’s so easy to listen to Mr. Russell talk about knives

[@annapeterson5897]

This man is a legend in the business. The right guy to learn from.

[@robertg5220]

A.G. RUSSELL III A.G. Russell, III passed away Friday, October 12, 2018 at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, A

[@slipperysteve2513]

I’m so happy you guys got these videos. Immortalizing such a wise and wonderful man. I wish I had done these with my grandpa. Everyone at camp used to bring him their knives at the start of deer season.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

It sounds like your grandpa has a lot of wisdom and knowledge too. We did get some videos, but we wish we had done more. It always felt like we had more time. I miss AG, and I definitely took this lesson to heart and starting spending more time with my own grandfather before he passed. -Jake

[@lindboknifeandtool]

When he talks with his eyes closed, and chooses his words carefully with pauses in between, you know you’re listening to a master at work.

[@Fireworxs2012]

*Living legend people..Listen up...This Man knows his business*

[@westonweigand1228]

If Yoda was to teach about the science and feel of knife sharpening this is what he would say... You are a legend with your knowledge and kindness. Thank you.

[@matchesburn]

Some of my personal insight: One method I've found that works really well (especially on diamond stones) to clean them is a simple, regular big eraser. You don't need much pressure, but it will adhere to the surface and will fill into it enough to pick up particles from the stone while not damaging the stone in any way. Next time you use a diamond stone, before you clean it up take a regular eraser (the big parallelogram kind) and place it flat on the stone and drag it over the surface. The eraser will look absolutely filthy with particulates. Also, just my personal choice, but Dawn dish washing soap and a cleaning pad (you don't really need anything very abrasive, the dish washing soap does most of the work) and scrubbing it will clean any stones quite well. Especially stones that like to get dirty and stay dirty (Spyderco Fine and Ultra Fine stones, for instance). I even like using soapy water for a lubricant and do so most of the time (including DMT diamond stones, Spyderco ceramic stones and Shapton stones). Works *_very_* well with diamond stones and really lowers the friction and resistance while keeping some of the particulates out. And check your stones periodically for flatness if they wear (like Shaptons, Chosera, ect.). They will require the occasional flattening with use. I've owned my Shaptons for years now and have only needed to flatten them once.

[@curious9715]

Thank you for your knowledge.👍

[@kcg777]

Nice... Looking forward to the future vids. Thanks!

[@stevehanner3297]

Thank you! Look forward to more!

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

Mr Russell you are very knowledgeable, thank you.

[@shahriariran44]

Nice neck knife . God bless his soul mey he rest in peace.

[@fredde90210]

great vid sir...

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Thank you sir.

[@jeritoolan6557]

AGRussellKnives and sharpening and care

[@garynicholas4334]

Impressive!

[@marshallmanchester-lk8cz]

Norton oil stones come saturated with oil. Most silicon carbide and aluminum oxide stones aren't. It won't be as good as Norton's process but you can always soak it overnight in mineral oil. Then the leftover oil will be cheap honing oil. Most honing oil is just a thin mineral oil but I use the laxative type to soak stones because it flows through them slower.

[@poikusa0207]

what kind of oil are you using? is it anything specific, or do you have recommendations?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

I am using Washita Honing Oil. As long as it is a honing oil, it should be fine. Don't use something like engine oil or anything like that. Here is a link to the Washita oil: agrussell.com/knife/5775

[@poikusa0207]

i've been using hoppes gun oil

[@cornpop9262]

@@AGRussellKnivescompany what is a good oil to store a knife with so it doesn't rust

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@cornpop9262 Rustfree is our favorite protectant against rust. agrussell.com/knife/RustFree--RF125

[@DrRich-mw4hu]

Legend !!😊👍👍

[@andrewh6034]

Hi, I was wondering what the neck knife is Thanks.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

It is the K93 Featherlite knife. It was A.G.'s favorite folding knife for decades, and he decided he wanted to carry it as a neck knife and made a kydex sheath for it. It's a great little knife! agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-FeatherLite-Clip-Point-Blade-with-AUS-8-Steel--K-93B-KYD

[@shonuffisthemaster]

ag russell is oldschool and i respect him allot. infact the first decent folder i ever got back in the 90's was one of his designs. however i think he is a bit dated on his knoladge of stones. really nobody uses carborundum, washita, soft and hard arkansas anymore thats a serious sharpener. waterstones have surpassed western stones in pretty much every way, and theres such an enourmous varaiety all with different properties to choose from, unlike western stones. i was tought to sharpen by my father on a fine india stone. later id get a hard arkansas to refine my edges further. these oilstones work fine, and i used them for years. but once i really started getting into sharpening and got some good waterstones, there was no going back. they are really better in every way. i still collect translucent arkansas stones and use them occasionally, but the speed and quality of edge just isnt comparable to a 10k waterstone. I think hes also overstating the skill it takes to sharpen freehand. sure it does take some practise, but ive tought a number of people how to sharpen and its not as difficult as people think.

[@bvandijk]

Well, he actually says that Carborundum is not used because it's useless with modern steel..

[@adkmtns5726]

Arkansas stones are still superior to any other type. And by the way, expertise is never dated.

[@beesharper7169]

In the video you briefly mentioned honing trailing edge forward when honing straight razors. Can you explain the reasoning for this? I am a long time SR user and honer, I have used my SR on Arkansas Black many times and love the shave on using it with edge forward, I can't see a practical reason for trailing edge forward on a Ark. Black.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Hi Sid, the straight razor is mentioned as the only possible exception to sharpening with the edge forward, but even with a straight razor, it's generally best to sharpen, as you said, edge forward.

[@shonuffisthemaster]

allot of people have experemented with this and found it actually dosent make much difference which direction you sharpen in, and consistancy is more important than anything. when im rehabbing an old straight razor thats been abused,.i use the finest stone i can that will still take off the metal i need to take off, and just go back and forth on one side and then the other..this is just the quickest way to get it down.

[@johnnyboydianno]

The method shown here as compared to the edge forward stroke leave the same scratch pattern the teeth should be slightly angled from toe to heal this works great job

[@llamawizard]

you should adjust the angle of the primary edge depending on the intended use of the blade. A blanket statement, like saying to sharpen to around 15 degrees, isn't the best advice. It's novice advice. Having said that, being consistent with your sharpening motion is much more important than sharpening at 12 degrees vs 15 degrees. i.e. every stroke should be the same angle.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Yes sir, you are correct. Consistent strokes are the same angle are the most important part of sharpening a knife. When I say 15 degrees, I'm referring to everyday pocket knives and kitchen knives. Yes, you will have to adjust your angle based on your basic grind, and blades for different functions - like camp knives, axes, hatchets, etc. will require different angles. There are other knifemakers, brands and companies who prefer a different angle even on their everyday carries. It is simply my opinion that 15 degrees is the correct angle. You are of course free to sharpen it to any angle you desire.

[@738polarbear]

The master.although he probably would not admit to it.

[@mikerollins7151]

Sir I believe u are the Billy Graham of edge sharpening and I believe that is the utmost complement anyone could receive.Jesus loves you and I do to

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

We lost a treasure of information

[@MasterofPlay7]

that's very tedious to use natural oil stone.... I would go with Japanese natural waterstone

[@adkmtns5726]

Arkansas stones are superior.

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@adkmtns5726 how so? I think waterstone are superior