Recurve Sharpening Tips You MUST KNOW - Tips and Techniques - Real Time Sharpening

How To Sharpen A Recurve Knife - Tips and Techniques - Real Time Sharpening. #knifesharpening #sharpening #knifesharpener
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Thanks
Chapters
00:00 INTRO
00:43 About the recurve knife Im using
01:56 A brief overview of our straight blade technique
03:50 How to apply that technique to a CURVED BLADE
05:47 A more practical application of our technique
08:23 There are different methods to apply our technique.
08:41 Stone number 1
09:36 Stone number 2
11:00 Stone number 3
13:41 Stropping a recurve
15:04 Something to be mindful of
16:15 FULL RECURVE SHARPENING with voice over

[@rielax04]

I've never seen a youtuber who listens to people's concerns this much. I'm addicted to knives and sharpening because of this channel. Now I've asked my family and friends to let me borrow their dull knives so i can sharpen them 😂

[@joshcarter-com]

@@rielax04 careful, offering to sharpen knives is probably like offering to fix someone‘s computer: do it once and you’re on the hook for the rest of your life.

[@MrShaw3030]

I've been sharpening my parents, my in-laws, and my aunts and uncles knives ever since I learned lol. (not to mention, obviously my own). It's gotten to the point that I have a small stone on me wherever I go (usually), and even if I go to a restaurant that gives a bad knife, I'll touch it up or strop it LOL)

[@torq_or_morq]

Same I enjoy making my family’s “sharp” knives actually sharp (if they wish it)

[@joshcarter-com]

@@MrShaw3030 I can imagine the restaurant scene: “‘scuse me while I whip this out” and you start producing 8x3 stones in appropriate grit progression from your cargo pants… 😂

[@Hatim94]

Totally agree I got to the sharpening world because of outdoors55 .

[@mishafran]

I got a Sharpal diamond stone thanks to you and I’ve improved my sharpening a lot thanks to you. Keep up the good work!

[@twatmunro]

Sharpal need to cut Alex a fat cheque.

[@4Leaf36]

Mine's in the mail lol. I think I at least used his affiliate link

[@Broken_robot1986]

Yeah me too.

[@kamadowoah4584]

I just bought the six inch and it ate away at me I should of got the 8 so now I've bought both. I'm amazed at the results I'm getting on the sharpal considering two days ago I'd never used a stone. It's a great piece of equipment.

[@81banga]

Me too. Just got mine 2 days ago

[@bearbrawnson717]

Oh MAN, You're truly the saint of sharpening. All the best to ya, and thanks for these videos, always watching them with an empty cup to soak up as much knowledge from you!

[@rg3412]

I remember asking for this video to be made, and what do you know , this guy is ACTUALLY caring for his community!

[@MrBowser2012]

Haha! I carried the Spartan for over a year around 2012. It has two things going for it. If you learn to sharpen it, you can literally sharpen anything. And if you pack that thing around in your pocket for 12 months straight, NOTHING ELSE will ever be too large or heavy to carry.

[@hisokamorow6709]

I love how we have made it all the way around, from microscopic pictures of edges and hair popping, to return to basics. "How to sharpen a knive"

[@JG-cv4cl]

The micro stuff is great. I've got a couple of jewelry loops that work great, although not as well as his scope

[@GasolineBoots]

I really appreciate the way you share your skills with us and deliver information to us. I also appreciate that you dont try to sell us stuff we dont need, you simply let us know what works for you. Thanks for another great video. Please keep up the great work. I wish you nothing but happiness and health

[@danielsunnqvist19]

Thank you for the GOOD information that people need! No bullshit just to sell junk like a lot of others these days! Got my first diamond stones, sharpal, after your review/usage of them and I'm really impressed of the edges I'm getting all of a sudden! Keep it informative and stay real! Looking forward to more vids from you! ❤❤

[@maticus123]

Thanks for listening to the viewers. This is just what I needed

[@ARAW-__-]

I'd say this knife ends conversations, too.

[@johanneswerner1140]

Insert obvious "this is knife" joke. But yeah, that was my thought exactly 😂

[@sasines]

“These knives are not easy to sharpen.” But YOU make it look sooooo easy! Another interesting video, thanks.

[@peteboman5942]

I bought the Sharpal through your link and I am very impressed. Razor sharp.

[@cameronsaint116]

Not to sound weird but I missed you, you were a big part of my passion of sharpening knives. KZbin stopped recommending your videos and this one just popped up. One of the knives I started on was a recurve and I got so discouraged I just threw it away. Your videos offer a deep yet easy to follow understanding on a broad range of topics from forging and metalurgy to sharpening. Thank you for all the knowledge you’ve given me

[@nathanielyoungman4454]

Love your videos, keep on grinding.

[@SuperRobertheath]

Been needing this video! Thanks.

[@gammarayburst4763]

Great video man. Love the channel. One of the best. You and Neeves knives are my favorite knife channels. But you are the OG. Hope all is well with you r health.

[@Gman1024]

Love my Spartan, it can't get enough of eating through vines, roots, shrubs, and trees on the property. I'm gonna have to break out the carpal tunnel wrist braces when I begin to sharpen with stones to help lock it up till muscle memory kicks in. I haven't had to sharpen the Spartan yet, but I know I will at some point. I thought your table moving was someone laughing in the background for a second there, haha. The spyderco sharpmaker may be good for the Spartan. Thanks for showing how to do specific portions of the blade, which would be very useful for something like the SOG Kiku XR. Extremely helpful upload, thank you Sir.

[@manjitahzan9577]

I have been waiting for this. Thank you.

[@krakentacticaledc]

Absolutely fantastic video showing how to sharpen a recurve using a wide stone.

[@JackShen]

Thank you, for making this video! I avoid recurves, for the same reasons you mentioned, but I've had to sharpen quite a few for friends. When I get really frustrated, I'll tape sandpaper to a bathroom tile with rounded corners and set it on the edge of the table like you did with the strop. Still learning from and enjoying your vids after all these years.

[@flamingbox8891]

Im really glad that you made this video, this helps so much.

[@brandonm3375]

Thank you for this! Been hoping you'd do a video on this! Very grateful.

[@american1911]

Mystery solved, that was awesome!

[@kalebs.2409]

I was waiting for this! Really needed to learn about this.

[@easymoneyism]

Great videos man!!

[@andrewmagee1666]

Thank you for what you do. Good health and blessings from Montana!

[@rvnerd7671]

This was awesome info! Thanks so much for this. 👍

[@tosheee]

I did this yesterday with one of my knife, so glad my technique confirmed and saw another tip on locking the elbow too, will practice more. Thanks a bunch.

[@bonsairandomuncut6297]

Super helpful tip !

[@duanejones2410]

Thank you for sharing all your "how to do it" Info. I am NO sharpening guru but thanks to your videos I am getting better.

[@GaWrann]

props to you and well done

[@bobdoshier1608]

Good stuff. Thanks

[@chinoyboi14]

Very informative as always 👍

[@stremsniperisbest5728]

I wish i had seen this yesterday, thanks btw man

[@hiddenglory01]

The correct use of force versus pressure 😄, big respect lol.

[@TrustinChrist-truthseeker]

Another good method is using the Worksharp Ken Onion edition with the blade grinding attatchment with stiff belts. Have had good results with that! Just my ¢2. Hope it helps! And keep up the good work! You are one of my references I send to people for sharpening, then Engineers perspective, and Burrfection, though his are good and he has a lot of reviews of whetstones, they are a touch behind yours though as He does not use the microscope. There are a few others such as Sharpen Right Services that is really good, Currys Custom Cutlery, and Alexandria's Knife Sharpening and Laser Engraving. Sincerely, JS

[@christiankammer2379]

Thank you!

[@ronp4529]

Good stuff 👍

[@evgeneiac]

The Spartan is a surprisingly good knife that I've daily-carried far more often than seems possible. There's something about the profile that makes it disappear in my pocket. It cuts great and the weight of it allows it to effectively cut large limbs and saplings while still being able to slice more delicate items. Despite this usage and its pedestrian steel, the blade never suffers damage beyond that which can be remedied with a regular sharpening. It does have an Achilles heel: the thumb stud is held on with the most ridiculously tiny 2mm screw. I've snapped it once already (to be fair, I was using the stud as a hammer at the time). Thanks for the tips on sharpening recurves!

[@scooterdoo1]

Awesome video! Help a lot with my drop point pocket knife

[@simoneleonardi6000]

Hey Alex, i absolutely love you sharpening content, you are the person that convinced me to learn freehand two years ago and thanks to tour continuos tips and tutorials you are still helping me improving, thank you so much. If I can ask you a favour, May you show us how you sharpen convex blades because i find It very hard and your input would help a lot. Tank you and keep un with your content. (Sorry for weird english but as an italian my native language Is spaghetti and pasta)

[@ct2368]

You are a master.

[@justletmeinnow100]

Thanks!

[@backwoodstrails]

Great explanation and demo. I would bet that most pro sharpeners are using the edge of a belt on a belt sander to sharpen recurve knives.

[@sibylle_p]

For some reason, I didn’t like using the edge of my SHAPTON Ha No Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstones. So I used different sandpaper grits on the cardboard cylinder from wrapping paper. It worked ok…

[@jnoland13]

Yes! Ty!!!

[@paullmight42]

Alex out here shattering dreams...

[@twatmunro]

I saw a request for this on the last video and I thought it was a great idea as well.

[@foome36]

My man flexing his stone collection in the back. Thanks for another great video! My Kukri will appreciate this greatly :)

[@yiannidionysiou7412]

Very well done said .Thank you so much for your time and effort you putting every time to presents such clear and logical videos .

[@Theactualcurrentsea]

Love your videos bro. Great technique and you go over just a little bit clearer than Jared.

[@mikeboettcher9709]

When you were stropping at the end, from the angle and lighting you looked so much like William Fichtner. Thanks for all your great sharpening videos

[@Evo_Spec]

Thank you for the video so soon after the other one! I also appreciate you doing it with such a crazy re-curve knife, makes using this technique much less daunting to try on my Santoku lol

[@TheGuidedSharpeningGuide]

I use the Hapstone RS and i purchased the Venev Ursa and Gemini series stone they are 6 inch by a half inch and the Gemini are curved. Great video!!!

[@Turms_Players_Skill-Issue]

Was waiting for this ❤

[@heyarno]

Since I mostly just strop, these videos are a nice refresher for the day when I have to sharpen again. Which will probably be either because of a accident, or because some factory edges leave much to be desired. Otherwise I managed to strop some daily use knifes back to shaving sharp for years now. I think the trick is that I made a strop to my liking and I found out that I need to use high pressure, despite videos saying low pressure. I tried low pressure and nothing happens. Medium does work a little bit on very low edges, but not on high ones like scandi grinds. Maybe it's the definition of pressure that is different to people. For me low is like using a fountain pen, it's own weight does the thing. Medium is like a pencil, where the pressure needs to be enough to leave a mark, but not so much, that it dents the paper. And high is like using a ballpoint pen on my scale.

[@Yonni6502]

Finally a GREAT explanation! Thank you. I just picked up pointers that will help me with these type of geometries! EXCELLENT video! Thank you! Are you still selling those cool strops and the white and green stropping compound? I'm tired of carrying mine to and from work. I think I need to just buy a second set of the 1 and 3 micro strops and compound. Well, I guess the strops aren't really gauged just impregnated with the compounds. I use the strops I got from your website two or three years ago about twice a week. The composite wood bases fit perfectly in the hand and have held up beautifully!

[@toddcarr.]

For me its narrow stones if they fit or using wooden or metal dowels wrapped in sandpaper as I do them very rarely and usually they are not supersteels so sandpaper will work fine. Great tips throughout the vid on what's most important when sharpening. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable

[@Hector-vx5yc]

Brother! I remember your motto from a previous video, “perfect practice makes practice perfect”!! Love it👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 love your channel and content!!, by the way, how are you feeling? Are things getting better for you? Your my hero, you wasn’t feeling up to par, however, you still went to the knife show, hang in there brother 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️👊🏿🙏🙏 sending prayers your way for reenforcement / back up!

[@thefamily_ak1863]

love the t shirt, ❤

[@SteinzVsKnives]

Thank you for teaching me how to sharpen my knives better brotha

[@sandorandras4148]

I use the thumb rule wile sharpening on rods. I hold the rods at my chest pointing down 45deg places my thumb on the spine of the knife, index on the rod lookin my wrist at the angle and use the elbow to pull the knife across the rod. First diamond than ceramic and finish on a honing steel. And yes I know your opinion on the honing steels but for me it works very well giving my edges some bite. Like your videos a lot!! Stay safe and healthy!!

[@thedawar9273]

Hey! Absolutely love these sort of videos, extremely helpful, got into sharpening because of you haha, and I'd love a guide on hand sharpening an axe/hatchet and how one would go about doing that, I've got an axe sharpening puck a while before discovering your videos and never even got it to hair shaving sharp on my husky axe, saw a ~6 year old video of yours where you use a belt sander to sharpen your axe to an impressive sharpness but I'm not really in a spot to get a belt sander, and probably not so for a while. Would appreciate the help!

[@TFord-il5pu]

Thanks for the tips on sharpening recurves, Alex. Could you possibly do a video sometime on how to properly sharpen and strop a hollow ground razor? I have a razor that I would like to put into working order. Thanks !

[@Grey_DC]

Appreciate this video. I’ve been using my torso for curved edges, but the firm wrist is pivotal. Thanks for that. Side note, i noticed that higher-end steels end up with flatter edge profiles for some reason, maybe difficulty associated with material. When it isn’t dollar store knives, you’re usually using your high-end blades, so it’s all good. Keep doing what you’re doing!

[@Mike-cp3xr]

I hope you are doing well. I'm thankful for your expertise on sharpening. I love freehand sharpening. Could you make a video on sharpening double edge blades ? Blessings to you and your family.

[@dodgedforgottenn]

Ask and ye shall receive. The man reads his comments (like you said you do). Great video! Thank you!

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

As always alex makes it look so easy. I sure wish he would explore straight razor honeing. Although, I have found a couple awesome individuals on the topic. Cajun shave and dapper shaves in case anyone is interested.

[@KekusMagnus]

This is just motivating me to get a fixed sharpening system. It takes way too much practice to consistently keep an angle like this whilst rotating on a different axis

[@hificat101]

Very interesting video. I recently bought a Kizer knife that has a lot more recurve than it seemed in pics. Wish you lived nearby. I have an MKM Vincent that has a very short, but tall MagnaCut blade thats basically all belly. A friend put a semi mirror polish on it for me, and dulled it first. I was going to get it DLC coated, but decided to leave it as is. I need to try and put an edge back in it, but its a little intimidating. I have the Sharpal stone you recommend, but also have a Worksharp benchstone that has a feature that allows it to tip to help with bellies. I need to screw up the courage to give it a shot.

[@twentykeys]

damn large sharpal stone is sold out in canada , love your content. keep it up wish you the best success

[@clandestinetactical]

Always love your content ❤ .. I think it’s safe to say you are the sharpening doctor / goat 🐐 😅 For me and a lot of people - as for an idea 💡 for a video … I was thinking 🤔 just maybe since Spyderco is now going to have CPM REX 121 in their line up .. maybe a video on how to actually work with Rex 121 ? I know it’s basically resin bonded diamond stones and nothing else because of hardness .. But I’d be curious to see what your take on it would be 😊

[@jacobthompson9526]

They make diamond sharpening rods too, but they arent very good for this. I have the DMT rod, and while i like it, its 1000 grit. And the annoying thing is, they are ALL about 1000 grit. You cant find one thats at a profiling grit. Ive look around, and when they bother to mention the grit at all (most dont, just say "fine, extra fine, etc), the lowest ive seen is 800 grit. I wish they would make something in the 300-400 range, but i havent seen one.

[@ldog378]

I think I saw a 300 grit sharpening rod made by Sharpal awhile back on Amazon

[@ldog378]

I found it it’s actually 600 grit but it is there

[@jacobthompson9526]

@@ldog378 I think i found what you're talking about, the little pocket one with the tapered rod in it. Looks useful, i just wish they would make a kitchen one like it.

[@guysmith1134]

you can get diamond rods for the spyderco sharpmaker.

[@grimsword4957]

​@@jacobthompson9526I don't know if it is reasonable for you to do but there is a European company called KnivesAndTools that make a 600 grit diamond sharpening steel (Skerper SH005). It is not too expensive but shipping to the US will be high and I think you will need to pay in euros instead of USD (probably a small exchange fee from your bank) but if you have no other options you could look into it.

[@nirfz]

Recurves are where for the average person things like the Spyderco sharpmaker are the easiest way i think. (It takes a very long time, maybe not with very soft steels) I did use the rods of my spyderco sharpmaker on a stoneholder for something like that, because i didn't want to screw up the corners of my flat stones. Did work way faster than the normal way of using the sharpmaker interestingly. Also, i think you don't need to switch to a flat stone for the belly, it may be easier for most though. Over all i am kind of glad that you as a pro also have no magic thing for recurves that i have missed or not thought about over the years. The "recurved" blades i have to sharpen the most are old kitchen knives who look like the butchers knives that are used to debone meat. The handle side of their blade is equal to a recurve for sharpening purposes.

[@therogers4432]

Hey Alex, thanks for another amazing video that I really needed because I've got to clear a riverbank with a scythe this week for my Dad 😖, and a *really sharp* blade will make a crappy job far more tolerable... 💪😬 In the past I've used 1200-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper staple-gunned to a piece of old broomhandle, but I think this way'll be much safer than that 🩸🩹🙄, hopefully...? -But I don't know if I can swing my creaky old shoulder or beaten-up old upper body quite that far any more, so it'll probably get done by working my way along the blade in 5 or 6 stages every time it needs some attention, but I guess I'll find out soon, huh? Huge thanks and respect from the UK 🇬🇧, and I hope your health's improving now buddy because you look, and sound, much better 😊👍

[@DamianBloodstone]

Great info on sharpening these recurves. I love my Spartan. but it is a B to sharpen. Take Care and Stay Safe.

[@Qrunch]

Thanks! I have a pretty new recurb and have been thinking about what the hell to do with it when the time comes.

[@TheAT5000]

I first tried learning sharpening on a S30V Kershaw Blur. It has a slight recurve to it, so it was difficult, but then when I switched to sharpening kitchen knives, and it was all so easy lol Moral of the story, if you start with something that punishes you for making mistakes, it will force you to make good habits and help keep you from developing bad ones.

[@user-fm6os8fj3e]

Hey Alex! I was wondering what your thoughts are on the DMT dual sided medium extra fine/extra extra fine (4000/8000) stone from sharpening supplies. I would like to stick to diamond plates and this seems like the perfect thing to use after the sharpal dual sided stone.

[@trplankowner3323]

You're not lazy, you just work efficiently!

[@bjornegan6421]

spyderco sharpmaker and lansky rods are great options for recurves.

[@markthompson4027]

Good video, note of interest that is a baby Kopis, most Cold Steel knifes are weapons .a recurve will leave a nasty wound like a kriss, or a Vaquero . a slight pain to sharpen and clean.

[@9mmmike642]

Knives are only tools unless they are used as a weapon.

[@JG-cv4cl]

​@@9mmmike642I got picked up for PI in 2023. I had a 3 inch recurve and a small thin mulittool with a razor blade inside. Cop acted like I was carrying an AK or AR. Despite EVERY knife or blade gravity or sword os perfectly legal to carry in Texas. And they are tools to me.

[@frizzen]

I've got a few knives with recurved edges. Norton sell 4" long 1/2" diameter stones in several grits - all pretty course. Aliexpress sells 3000 grit ruby stones 4" x 1/2" for $4. And then a ceramic rod for the final step.

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Great video ! ... thank you. How about a video on sharpening medieval swords? ... very difficult, but there are very few videos on KZbin on how to do this properly. (great stuff Man)

[@HellGatefr2]

This video, what a treat ! The way a simple mortal like me sharpens and reprofiles those recurves is : strap a Spyderco triangle Sharpmaker CBN stone, to a cheap diamond stone for guided systems, and mouting that on a TSProf... Setup looks goofy, but it works well, I was able to effortlessly reprofile a Victorinox curved blade pairing knife (those ones for peeling) at 13°/side, and also a Karambit, and without rounding that very delicate tip. The end result is great and much better than just using the triangle sharpmaker which is just the wrong tool for any kind of serious reprofiling imo, but now that those edges are set, it is a dream to maintain those knives on the sharpmaker brown/white rods normally, using the 15° setting. Any kind of cylinder-shaped stone, diamond honing rod, can do this job very well For stropping I thought of taking some jeans or leather, and wrapping it/gluing around a wooden rod, then it's possible to use any fancy polishing compound of your liking, any thoughts on that ?

[@hanto117]

Nice video can you make a video On how to sharpen a tanto stile knife pls

[@hiimboosted9752]

Damn that's a fast video response to comments! Can't believe that knife sharpening got me hooked like this. Don't even have a sharpening stone, just a cheap 2 way "angle sharpener" if that's the right word. Kind of feels wrong to use it though

[@Count_Smackula]

Excellent video! Gonna give that deep bellied butcher knife in the drawer a go.

[@USAUSAM82]

I think your name should be the knife whisperer! Awesome info! Would you consider a rod system like the lanskey system?

[@Dragon-bl2qd]

could you please do a stropping guide? Like what compounds are and how important are they and if you can use the strop without it and maybe like if there is any household stuff could be used as a substitute?

[@VsevolodSolovyov]

I have a two-sided 80x200 mm Venev, it's resin-bounded diamond on an aluminum base. F240 on the one side (40-50 micron particle size), F400 on the other side (15-20 micron). As I understand, that's roughly the same as 400/1000 rating on Japanese stones. Works fantastically, but I wouldn't buy it again, as it's manufactured in Russia. They also can go into some crazy small grain sizes. For example, there exists a Venev F1200 with a particle size of 2-3 microns and even F2000 which claims

[@UFDionysus]

You can get a half-round diamond honing rod. A cheaper option would be to get some dowel rod and wrap sandpaper around it, but then you could only use stropping motions and it would wear out faster. For stropping, you can put leather on a dowel or half of a big dowel. I wrap a dowel with card stock and load it with wax polishing compound. I like woodstock brand. It might work to put compound straight on to the wood too. Maybe try some of those and see what you think?

[@Yupppi]

That rounded edge of the ceramic whetstone can also be customised for your last serrated kitchen knife that is usually a pain in the ass to figure out.

[@richardf9137]

Lock her down to get her ground!! Great Explanation!!

[@clavididk1236]

I stay locked lol

[@Literaturenjoyerman]

LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOO

[@markgilmour5757]

I got a ghurkka khukri as a gift. Now I know how to bring it back to it's perfect edge.

[@williamheath7058]

How would you do a slight recurve on a scandi like a condo bisonte would the sma process work ?

[@jamesruth100]

I just thought of something that might help new sharpeners work a bit more effectively-sorta like training wheels for freehand knife sharpening-and I figured I'd ask you to see if you have any input: do you think a wrist brace would help new sharpeners get better results? The way I see it, they'd still have _some_ wrist movement, which means they'd still have to work on the muscle memory of locking it in place (on top of all the other muscle memory related to sharpening), but while they do that, the brace would limit their range of movement and (hopefully) allow them to achieve acceptable results earlier than they normally would.

[@DroggeIbecher]

a very helpfull video. diffrent question: you mentioned that you make your own stropping compound. i get 0.1-1micron diamond abbrasive from a friend and wondered how to bind it. do you have any tips?