A.G. Russell on Ceramic Sharpening Rods

Ceramic Rods are A.G.'s favorite way to sharpen his knife. These rods are excellent for edge maintenance, as well as being the finishing grit while sharpening a knife.
In this video A.G. talks about how to use the ceramic sticks, shows testing results for how sharp a knife can get on ceramic sticks, shows the advantages of using ceramic rods, shows the smaller field version of these rods, and finally shows how to take care of your device.
A.G. Russell Ceramic Sharpener Full Size: agrussell.com/knife/1915
Field Version: agrussell.com/knife/107
To see our full set of knife sharpening articles and videos please visit: agrussell.com/encyclopedia/KnifeSharpening
To view the previous video in this series click on this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJqxlppsqLulqLc
To view the next video in this series click on this link:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJyYpKCta66tftE

[@phsu12951]

Where do you buy the eraser you show @ 6:45?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

agrussell.com/knife/Rust-Eraser--RTZ-EB

[@williamcryts5337]

Can this be used on other ceramic sharpeners like shapton glass stones?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@williamcryts5337 Apologies for the very late reply, but yes, the silicon carbides embedded in the eraser will take off surface steel dust. Think of it as a rubberized abrasive (it will scratch mirror polished items).

[@davidaix5771]

You can use any white eraser I do it all the time it works fine

[@blueridge_ogre1714]

I've always enjoyed learning the methods and shared wisdom from old timers. You'll never find a better source of education than by learning from a man that's perfected his craft. I would have loved to have been your adopted grandson for a summer, I would have picked your brain until you had a headache. I've enjoyed your videos I've seen so far, thanks for sharing your knowledge with those of us still sharpening the proper way(s).

[@mattadler4710]

I have always really liked knives, but it wasn't until just this year at 33 that I have come to truly love them, and this man has been played an influential role in sparking that passion. I plan to do business with him exclusively with only few and necessary exceptions.

[@JPuckett89]

I love these videos. Mr. Russell reminds me eerily of my late grandpa. Loved the tip on cleaning the cermaic rods.

[@user-itschad1954]

Very well made video A.G. Informative, I have a ceramic sharpener, it's brilliant. I have trouble understanding how 14 people dislike this video, very strange folks out there. Regards from across the big puddle.

[@shawnwells5719]

I gave up on stones and started using ceramic about five years ago. Way more consistent, and large and/or irregular shaped blades are easy to sharpen.

[@gstrader73]

Soft Scrub and a 3M/Scotchbrite pad works really well cleaning ceramic rods as well. Nice sharpener, Sir.

[@smartassjeff1]

I go to garage sales with half dollars. I recently purchased your field sharpener from a woman- for ONE shiny fifty cent piece. I found this video to learn how to use it. I'm very happy with my purchase!

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Wow, what a great deal! May it serve you well!

[@jasonvaughn3736]

A genuis so much knowlege and willing to share thank you sir

[@PaddleAsia]

Interesting Kydex sheath for your Spyderco knife. I love Spyderco folders, but don't like carrying them in my pocket.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Thanks Dave. That's actually an A. G. Russell Featherlite One Hand Knife agrussell.com/knife/2560

[@PaddleAsia]

Oh, I saw he hole (not realizing it was an oval) and assumed it was a Spyderco. That is a nice looking knife and the prices are very reasonable.

[@MichaelWebber]

It's great to have the 15 degree option; my Lansky Turn Box with ceramic rods only offers 20 degrees and 25 degrees. While Sharpmaker has 15 (and 20) degrees, it uses flat surfaces which are much harder to use with recurve blades. I think I'll get the Field version since I don't sharpen kitchen knives.

[@MichaelWebber]

BTW other KZbin reviewers suggest care with the blade tip, snapping the blade tip off the round edge of the ceramic carbide rod can mishape the tip.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

If I remember correctly, you should be able to turn the Spyderco Sharpmaker so that the corner of the triangular rod is on the inside, which should allow you to do recurve blades.

[@shj2000]

A good man. I will miss him.

[@BennyCFD]

Well A.G. Russell, great video learned a lot. Thanks

[@getreal3336]

I LOVE THIS GUY!😁👍 He's lucky I'm not his neighbor, cause I'd be hangjn out at his house all the time. Lol

[@antiacus]

fantastic. I had no idea you can clean those rods. thank you!

[@babblelicious4357]

antiacus, yep. Dish soap or those toilet bowl powder will work with a metal scrub pad.

[@sergeysemenov6537]

Good video, everything is very sensibly explained.

[@jodyjohnsen]

I wish I’d seen this before I ordered a new knife sharpener. I’d have still ordered the same one but I’ve included the larger one and the rust eraser too. Now I have to wait, bummer.

[@krytios1]

Great help!

[@rucksackransack]

Good video thank you. What is the device hanging from your neck that is holding your folding knife?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

That is our kydex neck sheath for our Featherlite folding knife. I never saw A.G. without it. You can see it here: agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-FeatherLite-Clip-Point-Blade-with-AUS-8-Steel--K-93B-KYD

[@jakefromm7672]

Will you develop a burr when using this sharpener

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

A burr will always be developed when removed steel from one side. The ceramic rods are so smooth they make the burr nearly unnoticeable, but there is still one there. You notice that A.G. strops the knife on his hand right before shaving his face 0:22. You can choose to either strop it when you need a really straight edge (such as shaving), or you can make sure that the last stroke you do is on the rod opposite of your dominate hand. So if you are right handed end on the Left rod, and this will leave a very slight burr that will aid in right handed cutting.

[@babblelicious4357]

Hmm... I didn't realize a eraser would clean the steel build up on ceramic rods. I wonder if it would also clean the steel rods as well? I've heard that erasers also work on leather strop (cleaning off the steel build up). I just found a stash of pink erasers (they might be off-brand... as no logo is present). I will try to clean both ceramic and steel rods with it when I get home! P.S. This may be sort of stupid thing to ask... arn't majority of pink erasers contain similar compounds?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Hi Babble. The eraser in the video contains super hard particles that scrub the steel out of the rods. It's not a regular eraser or even an india rubber eraser

[@mikerollins7151]

Thank you Sir

[@craigweida801]

For general cleaning of ceramic I use brake cleaner from any auto parts store

[@powerplay4real174]

What's how you save a knife and keep a good sharp edge.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Are you talking about our most recent video? How to Preserve Your Edge? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmW4ln56g9qCj8k

[@williamcryts5337]

Hello, I have a quick question if you have the time. If you could attach this to a grind scale where would it be?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

This would be a Super Fine grade. When sharpening a knife it would be the last grade to use, unless you really wanted to strop it with some polishing paste. Take a look at our Sharpening Guide for more information: agrussell.com/KnifeSharpening/knifesharpeningonstones

[@williamcryts5337]

Thank you for the speedy response. I have indeed read the sharpening guide you posted and I have found a way to rephrase my question. Each company has their own grit/grade system for their stones based on grit/mesh and micron.You mainly sell DMT so by your knowledge DMT grit standards what is the micron quality? Examples of what I am asking one being DMT the other being shapton "CERAMIC (CER) Available only in DMT® Ceramic Steel (CS2) and corresponds to 2200 mesh, 7 micron." "2000 Grit - The 2000 grit stone is a medium fine and is to be used to refine the edges of dull tools and knives. The grit particles used on this stone are smaller to refine the edge. The grit particle size measures 7.35 microns. Shapton Part #50302." I am just trying to understand clearly by set standards so I can easily place it in the proper place in my stone sharpening line because I have already bought this product.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Ah, a complicated question! I have been working on a article comparing different stones and materials with different grits, meshes, and microns, but it's all very complicated and may never quite be finished. I'll see if I can get you more precise answer, but yes it is approximately around the 2200 Mesh, 7 micron level. It will be finer than stones, but stropping pastes and diamond pastes can get even finer.

[@williamcryts5337]

Thank you for the answer I cant wait til it arrives so I can start tinkering with it. Im also excited about that eraser! usually I would lap a stone when its clogged next time ill try those just for fun to see the effect. if it isnt as successful thats fine ill just lap the stone anyway. Though it would be nice to only needing to lap for dishing on the surface. :)

[@DrDennis]

What’s that neck knife AG?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

That is the K93 Featherlite agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-FeatherLite-One-Hand-Knife-8A--K93-CT8A

[@4GiveN4get]

Do you have a sharpener for my rotary cutter blades?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

What kind of rotary cutter blades? Can you describe it a little more? Are we talking like a fabric pizza cutter type blade? Or are we talking lawn mowers?

[@4GiveN4get]

@@AGRussellKnivescompany Yes, the fabric pizza cutter type blade.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

​@@4GiveN4get It seems that the Dritz rotary blade sharpener would probably be the easiest solution for you. Because the blades will be uniform in size, shape, and probably angle a dedicated sharpener would actually do well - not the kind of thing I normally suggest, but that's because knives vary so much in shape, angle, and size. It isn't something we sell though. Product: www.joann.com/dritz-rotary-blade-sharpener/3549987.html How To: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3fKaHZugpyGhtE Unfortunately just about everyone is sold out of those - everyone is getting back into the fabric hobbies during this pandemic. Now you can achieve great results, and quite possibly even sharper results than the Dritz using proper sharpening stones or rods such as shown in this video, but due to the roundness it does make it a little more challenging and will take a little more time. The angled rod system here though may not work, I don't know the angle rotary cutter blades are usually ground to. It may or may not be the right angle. Take a sharpie, and color along the edge of your blade. This will let you know if you are sharpening the very edge. You'll need to find a way to secure the blade or protect your hand. I'm not sure how your handle is set up for it whether it would be better to leave the blade in or take it out, but you'll want to secure it so it can't cut you. Then take a sharpening stone or rod, and go down off the edge with it. Alternatively you can try and rotate the blade along the sharpening material - similar to how they show the Dritz. You'll get sharper results going off the edge, but it may be easier to rotate the blade along and you may deem the results as good enough. You can get a ceramic rod CS94-CC for $12.95: agrussell.com/knife/AG-Russell-V-Sharpener-Ceramic-Large-with-Walnut-Base--CS94 Or you can get a small diamond stone - I'd go extra fine for this application: agrussell.com/knife/DMT-Diamond-Mini-Sharp-Sharpener--DMT-F70E

[@4GiveN4get]

@@AGRussellKnivescompany Thank you for your advice!

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@4GiveN4get You're very welcome. Best of luck!

[@josemariacamemo8665]

Were we can buy of ceramec stones.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

A.G. Russell Ceramic Sharpener Full Size: agrussell.com/knife/1915

[@alphadawg81]

The problem with ceramic rods is that many (more affordable ones) don't tell you the grit and many are rather low in their grit rating. But that's not easily obvious compared to whet stones or diamond plates.

[@John-xk7uo]

Did you say coors is where you get your ceramics from?

[@profd65]

Some dumb ass trying to be funny in the KZbin comment section; never seen that before.

[@harrybutts2447]

whats a brisket sharpener?lol.and what kinda neck knife are u wearing old timer?it looks unique.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

I meant to say a sharpener for brisket knives. I am wearing the K93 Featherlite One Hand Knife. Absolutely my favorite folding knife I have ever designed, and one of my most successful designs. Here is the website link: agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-FeatherLites-with-Kydex-Neck-Sheath--K-93B-KYD

[@harrybutts2447]

thanks for the response,thank you for showing us your skills and the right way to sharpen a blade.ill be ordering one of your knives,great video.ps i was just pulling ur chain about the brisket sharpener.

[@eronavbj]

Informative presentation, but the camera work actually was making me nauseous. Just use a wider perspective shot on some kind of stable surface.

[@paulmullins102]

hey used arkansas ceramic rod did not sharpen my knive cheers

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Hi Paul, Ceramic rods are generally very fine grit, and will be the last step of the sharpening process if your knife is very dull. Check out this video here for more information: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4aufKSQpb-Vb9E Other possible reasons - the rods are dirty, if they are clogged with steel particles their sharpening slows significantly, they have to be cleaned. Another possible reason - some unscrupulous sellers will sell fake ceramic, that is not the high quality alumina ceramic required to sharpen knives. I hope that helps!

[@dwainsw4076]

How is this different from Spyderco's sharpmaker?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

It is very similar in function to the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Our sharpener runs about $20-30 cheaper, depending on where you get the Spyderco Sharpmaker. We think ours also looks a little nicer in the kitchen. On the other hand, the Spyderco Sharpmaker allows for more angles to be sharpened (both 30 and 40 degree), and it has grooves for sharpening fishing hooks as well. If you are a super knife enthusiast, you might go with the slightly more expensive Sharpmaker as it allows you the extra options. Ours is great for those who just want sharpening to be extremely easy, with less fuss and options, and for it to look good in the kitchen. It's simply a different target market. Hope that helps!

[@actanonverba1385]

this has more surface area than the spyderco sharpmaker and surface area is very important, especially if you are like me and have to sharpen knives with hard steel like N690co and S30v, i have the sharpmaker and a ceramic rod system and i can tell you from experience that A.G Russell's system is better.

[@draganpastrovic2157]

Nothing compares to water stones. Some fixed angle systems are good but they are limited.

[@fredde90210]

👍🏻

[@jeremydesmier9663]

Who else thought her was about to remove a fingertip at 2.20?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

He had me and the cameraman nervous the whole time. -Jake

[@josealfonso4244]

A usted se le caen solos los cabellos abuelo 👴🏻

[@treeceembry4636]

😮🤔😮😱 is he still living

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

A.G. passed away in 2018 sadly. agrussell.com/about/goodbye-to-a-dear-friend

[@joshblalock6953]

ceramic rods don't sharpen they hone

[@GG-ml3vr]

If ceramic rods dont sharpen why do they come in different grades,shurely a honing steel hones and ceramic sharpeners sharpen ?

[@elevationmoto6208]

They get black with metal dust from the bevels of knife blades. They remove metal; they sharpen.

[@romul666]

Do not buy these things - no way you are going to sharpen your knives. If you do not belive me, feel free :) I hope you have nice experience and waste of money and time. :)