Sharpening A Knife By Hand 2018 (Tips For Beginners)

[@Xantophia]

My grandpa was also my great mentor. He served as a drill instructor in the army, afterwards he returned to his true profession as a sylvicultor. His life was the wilderness and taught me a lot of precious things about it. I couldn't be more grateful...

[@Deadcntr]

I have been sharpening knives for 60 years. Your grandfather was a wise man!

[@newtubefag]

I notice you have your personal defender out after answering the door... I do the same, you truly never know who is at the door.

[@dpensfan511]

My great grandfather was an engineer in the USN during WW2 and the Korean war. He was also enlisted during WW1 but was never deployed. He turned that experience into a pretty lucrative career for the railroads when he was done. My great grandmothers family owned and ran a butcher shop/deli from the time she was born until my 20th birthday. I learned so much shit from living with them growing up. I have so many stories. They both lived into their 90's and remained active until the end. My great grandmother taught me how to sharpen knives and butcher deer and pretty much anything else. She would make her own grinds and sausage. Her own stocks for soup. They were hard but loving people. They could also be hilarious at times when they would argue and it would devolve into them insulting each other , one in Lithuanian and the other in Polish.

[@ApacheBob41]

Growing up I used to watch my Dad sharpen his, The old guys like him and your grandfather knew what they were doing, Dad also had an old mule harness he would strop with.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Awesome :)

[@mistersmith158]

awesome video - danish guy in siberia talking in english and wearing a US Army shirt Only on KZbin but still awesome technique being shown by the awesome team Survival Russia

[@synappticuser5669]

When I was but a youngster my old man used to sharpen our "sharp knife" on a sandstone window sill just like your Grandad, back and forth, and then cut the meat for Sunday dinner. I learned the same method. The stuff you spread on your metal to check removal of material was called "Engineer's Blue". I served as an Engineering Fitter and that was almost the first skill learned in Tradeschool. Love your stuff. Don't need to be a millionaire to be an outdoorsman. Quality vids, I always learn something. McIntyre Scotland

[@gregsummers7350]

Great video Lars. I think you revealed your secret, the way a grandfather encourages a much loved grandchild, with wisdom and patience. This is how knowledge and passion is transferred to a new generation. Good to learn something new each day. Thanks, Greg

[@hillbillynick2000]

As a knifesmith and woodcarver I can go on for hours about sharpening, LoL! So I'll keep this simple!! I recommend to people new to sharpening (I blame modern, disposable society. Just throw it away and buy a new one.) To buy a magnifying glass and examine the edge before, during and after. You are trying to create and refine the burr on the edge. Which you then strop off by polishing/flexing back and forth. Which leads me to the second hint. For extra sharpness, lay a piece of rough paper ( brown paper bag etc. I use cheap paper towels.) On your strop and re-strop. Basically polishes the edge further.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Great tip and thank you for keeping it simple mate :)

[@g.singleton350]

Great video Lars...hard to beat wisdom handed down from generation to generation.....thx for sharing your knowledge on knife sharpening!

[@aktrapper6126]

Great video Lars as always, enjoyed it very much. I finish my edges with a leather strop I made by gluing leather onto a piece of wood. It takes the edge of the knife to the next level of sharpness after the stones. I don't use a stone every time. Most of the time a few passes on the strop will tune it up just fine.

[@MrWeAllAreOne]

I have been a bricklayer for nearly 30 years and i sharpen Stanley knife blades on a brick. I have kept some blades going for a couple of months by doing this. They get very rough use in my craft.

[@lesliepaulkovacs6442]

Thanks. And Thanks to your Grandfather's Memory for teaching US! Bet you he's looking down at you with Pride, because his Knowledge is going to be passed on to LOTS of "Grandkids" around the world. Thanks and Take Care.

[@thegit8698]

Grandparents that were born around the turn of the 1900s were a breed that we may have sadly seen the last of due to the comfort that technology brings but of course there is always the exception, Kyle's channel is how I have started to learn freehand sharpening

[@duxdawg]

Study the Tytler Cycle. Hard times are just around the corner. Hard times forge hard men. Such will again roam the Earth within three generations.

[@jeffreyarnold2626]

always listen to your dedushka. they know things, lost arts. old school is frequently the best. i learned many useful skills from mine. prost to the old ways... thanks Lars!

[@thewizardstomb]

I'd been watching a few sharpening videos lately and was thinking, "I'd rather be learning this from Lars." Score! Thanks for the advice!

[@semco72057]

Knife sharpening is one thing I learned while in the Air Force and still use the technique taught to me. They issued me a knife which I still have and need to get out and use since I loved that knife so much. I saw people who was issued knives the same time as me and nearly wore the knife out within weeks because they didn't know how to sharpen them.

[@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman]

My knife sharpening skill definitely needs improvement. Thanks for the tips Lars. Got me a pile of knives and a wet stone right now going to get it done !

[@symbiot888]

Real knowledge. Real men. Thx gramps.

[@bluehollar6127]

just found your video online and loved it since I've always done it this way also, for 60+ years, after teaching myself; just feels natural, as if the knife becomes an extension or part of you, the way any tool should

[@fredthorne9692]

Thank you! You and Kyle from Newfoundland are excellent instructors in this subject. I am completely hopeless in knife sharpening. For me, the straight ceramic rod or the "V" ceramic are the only way I can get a razor's edge. It is also the only way I can get a "respectable" edge for the Soviet Navy folding, chisel grind...a work of art in its beauty and simplicity and my favorite for multi-tasks. MCQ Bushcrafter uses a simple rubber eraser to clean off the ceramic. I must "go out and practice and get it done." You are also correct in staying at the homestead. Your home would be treasure trove for would be thieves.

[@robertproctor855]

I've never met anyone else who learned to sharpen that way; my father taught me the same way as your late Grandad. I have my own method now but the old way worked well for my family.

[@J0xxe]

Just recently found out your channel and watched pretty much half the videos in one week. Keep it up great channel! Greetings from Finland.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Awesome! Thank you :)

[@davidrasch3082]

I always learn something watching this channel. Some knives are so cheap they neither take or keep an edge. For outside my choice is K-Bar, a habit I picked up from the army.

[@tikiduck]

Jigs are a good option, but one should be able to freehand a blade. Practice practice practice. I use sandpaper and stone, and after 40 years of knives I still feel I have so much more to learn. Good video, and your points are as valid as any out there.

[@liviupeles8666]

I have a couple of Solognac knives & a very nice thing about them is that they come with an "angle holder", basically a piece of cardboard that you put under your knife to keep a steady angle.

[@markdrexler382]

Thanks for explaining the sharpening process. I’ve always been intimidated but now it’s time to get it done

[@-Coaltrain]

Sir i’am from America I just want to say you represent your country with honesty and honor not like some of the others from your country on KZbin. Thanks for the time you put in

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you.

[@victorcastle1840]

Rosco, I think you could also include America in this statement also, Not like others from your country ? I think we have as many Libatard /communist/socialist as any country now.

[@-Coaltrain]

Was referring to some other KZbinrs that make videos that live in Russia. I have watched a woman that says she can’t reply to your comment unless you go to her patron page then she will if you send her money. Lars is the real think i’am a deep country man that hunts and fish I don’t care about politics

[@duxdawg]

Ah, but politics cares about you. We are sheep on tax farms being sheared far too much these days. If you don't keep the fools out of office, you soon will be ruled by fools.

[@PaulBuikema]

Good conversation for a Saturday morning Lars, thanks man. My 10 year old son watched the whole video and I don't think he blinked more than 3 times. lol

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you very much Paul and Son :)

[@huntarama9375]

When i was ten year old a razor sharp pocket knife was something to treasure and gave you a bit of street cred when down at the river fishing. Yes when I was ten years old we were allowed a knife and to go fishing by ourselfs. My mother used to give me xtra pocket money for the fish I caught and I saved the money to buy an opinel folder and a Arkansas stone. To this day I still cant make a knife any sharper than I could as a boy with this combo.

[@akhoneybee907]

@@huntarama9375 yes I had a pride and joy knife as a child too. I took it everywhere I was allowed. Even church! I had to learn to maintain the edge and really loved that thing. I brought it fishing and hunting and everywhere in between. That thing got used soooo many times. I agree having a razor sharp knife was a point of pride. It really made me appreciate the value in possessions and maintaining them with love. We have a “throw away” society now and nobody puts care into maintaining their tools anymore since they will just buy a new one. It’s very rare that a dull knife edge cannot be fixed. No good knife should sit in the bottom of the drawer forever. Pull them all out and give them some help!

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks Lars ! I always glean something useful from the videos ! Thanks for sharing ! My grandfather gave me my first pocket knife, and taught me the responsible use of one as well .

[@Wiking419]

I make knifes and i am sharpening them the way your grandad did, not a bad way to put seriously scary edge on it. Polishing and stopping of course, then testing it if it shaves hairs off of my arm. Great video as if it was meant for me. Nice tip. Cheers

[@chrisosh9574]

A good video Lars, stropping is very important and something a lot of people don't do, luckily I do a fair amount of leatherwork so I always have scraps of leather I can glue to a piece of wood but if you don't have any leather, canvas will do a good job or even a flat wood surface. The two main reasons for stropping are to remove the wire edge that is produced by the stone and then to polish the edge making it finer. A mate was asking me how I know I am at the right angle, so I told him the easiest way is to fold the corner of a piece of paper to halve the angle; once is 45 degrees and twice gives you 22.5, use the 22.5 and then just lower the back of the blade a little, that's close enough for most work. Ten you just need muscle memory to kick in eventually.

[@Frostyeveryday]

Greetings from Kentucky. I have been sharpening my knives by hand since I was young. It takes some time to build muscle memory to get your angles right, but once you get the hang of it, its great. Awesome video. Have a great day.

[@2CabrasLocas]

EXCELLENT subject! Soooo many options & techniques people use. Cool to see your family! Thanks for sharing that history.

[@RonRay]

It is good to watch people sharpen a knife that knows what the hell they're doing. 👍

[@garyevans3421]

Thanks for this demonstration as well as all your practical advise

[@Matt77125]

Thanks for the video Lars, I was actually just looking for knife sharpening tutorials the other day.

[@charlottesmith3449]

Helpful Lars, even for us girls, you are a great, patient teacher, thanks so much!

[@Oldwhiteguy]

Great video, also the most important part is being patient!

[@hungryhank6044]

That was a great video Lars! Very informative. Thanks for taking your time and explaining the correct way to sharpen knives. Keep up the great work. Cheers!

[@dreadnought8363]

Grandfathers rock! That is why a boy without them is a sad boy!

[@Alceste.de.Tôtes]

Dreadnought of blades You're so right!

[@ardeleanu8663]

My grandma taught me a lot of skills about knife sharpening, processing animal carcasses etc. I didn't feel the lack of a grandpa with grandma around. Granted old timer women are manlier than a lot of guys nowadays...

[@tfwwhennofitlitgf3300]

both mine died before i was born :(

[@dreadnought8363]

Stop Feasting oh no! So sorry.

[@TheOtherBill]

Best grandfather stories ever: The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Ruark Lars, is this available in Russia or the EU? I think you'd really like it.

[@SC-sf8xt]

I bought a stone set and tried it your gradfathers way, next time will try this way , thanks

[@coydogoutdoors]

great stuff something a lot of people dont realize is a sharp blade is great but the sharper the blade the easier it is to chip aswell so my main bush blade i keep sharp enough to carve with but not sharp enough to shave with

[@SurvivalRussia]

True. :)

[@Wolf_K]

A tip: Mirco bevel it and then both the edge retention and strength will increase quite a bit.

[@NoAHr83]

I always enjoy your videos , thank you Sir !

[@jeffsmith6441]

Thank you for the tips and tricks! I haven't been hand sharpening long so I like seeing how other people do it.

[@crimsonbear9336]

Great vid! Thanx! I learned about the same way. I found, when I was younger, if u start sharing a ax/hatchet with a file or hone stone, it helped me to get the feel of the angle when I went to knife sharping

[@jessepitt]

I really like the interior of your house. It's very cozy. Thanks for the helpful information.

[@j.juergen1010]

When I started my apprenticeship ... we filed the U steel for a whole year ... and the corners got round and round ... that wasn't funky and also not awesome a time to cry. I enjoy your art of explanations ! AtB Jürgen

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Lars. I made a leather strop that I rubbed fine valve grinding compound into on the flesh side.( The kind used to grind engine valves.) It really puts a good finish edge on the blade. Strop it a few times on the flesh side, then a few times on the smooth grain side. Comes out razor sharp!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Valve compound. Who would have thought of that :) I must try that out.

[@bengluyas4104]

Thanks for sharing some of your obvious knowledge. Seems like great advice for a novice like myself. Much appreciated

[@rc287]

That was a great tutorial on knife sharpening. I’ve just started using wet stones to sharpen my knives, I still use my lanky sharpening kit though. I also use a leather strop. Great video👍🏻🇺🇸

[@aliceleyva3767]

I really need to learn to sharpen edges. I have bought a bunch of machetes on the internet, Tramontina Machete 5-pack. 5 in all, heavy, and sharp but needing more sharpening. Just wanted to. I saw a video on machete sharpening;, yours or the ReallyBigMonkey1. I enjoy your tutorials. Easy to follow. Thanks!

[@EdwardKowalski]

Good sound advice Lars. I'll add that strops are everywhere. A smooth block of wood or mdf, most paper and cardboard products, shiny cardboard works pretty well, a notebook or phone book even a pair of jeans with a leg inside. Of course leather is generally better but sometimes other materials are more expedient/handy. Strop em if you you've got em!

[@corporalcamouflage7259]

Perfect Instruction. Thanks Comrade. Pictures of grandparents were cool. I love history and old time pictures. Thanks again for the great videos sir.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you very much CC :)

[@barrybecker3706]

Excellent video, as always, Lars!!

[@Blueswailer]

Sharpening knives by hand can be quite, how would I put it best.. Zen? Peaceful? Doing the same kind of controlled movement slowly dozens of times over has that effect on me at least. I enjoy sewing patches onto clothing for the same reason, and fishing too, come to think of it. Thank you for the video Lars. It's a good thing to be around the homestead in case of such "Salesmen" happening by. Scammers and thieves seem present even in the wilder parts of the world. A rare treat getting a video from inside the Survival Russia compound itself, have a great Sunday!

[@welurkintheforeststhefores8100]

Sewing patches is great! I love it. My new thing now is going to be converting embroidered canvas patches into tacticool velcro morale patches; by sewing the velcro onto the back of the patch. That way my patches are removable/interchangeable. :D

[@tobiascarpenter5438]

My strop that I use has a leather strop and an additional linen. To my understanding it is used for razors, straight edge.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Lars .

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks :)

[@kholtzen1]

Excellent tips Lars .Your Grandfather sounds like a very knowledgeable man. My Grandfather also sharpened knives very well.I think it was a generational thing because they really valued their tools.

[@SurvivalRussia]

I think you are correct Kurt.

[@williampysell2819]

Good video Lars! I have a group of guys that I have been camping and fishing with for about (51) years now. For many of those years these guys would bring all of their dull knives and axes to camp for me to sharpen. When I am finished with any of them, as long as they are made from a good grade of steel, I can shave myself with them, including the axes. I have done so in camp just to show my friends how sharp their tools are, once I have sharpened them. I use basically the same method as you, but I generally use a Hard Arkansas stone, and a Washita stone, along with a few drops of honing oil, to establish the edge before I test it. If the steel is good quality, and the knife or axe is not abused, the edge will last a very long time. You are correct. Every outdoor person should learn how to sharpen their knives and axes. Thanks for the video!

[@schwags1969]

That is how I do my knives. Great share.

[@DonnaConrady]

Hey Lars, how are ya . . . this was very helpful to me. I have a Mora and Bahco which are easy to sharpen but I also have an old Buck knife and it's much more difficult. I'm self-taught and it's a challenge. Thanks for the lesson :) Donna

[@jasonkaiser6084]

Thanks for the video. I appreciate your taking the time to share this with us. My father and grandfather raised mink many years ago. They both were very good at sharpening a knife. My father had a 2 ft spike devise that had a wood handle for sharpening a knife. What is the trick to sharpening a stainless steel blade?

[@MrJRW1]

Thanks for the tips! My grandfather was a big influence on me too. I enjoyed this video. I think I need to start looking for some new sharpening stones. The stone I use is much smaller than what you have. I also liked how you use rubber to protect the stones and keep them from moving around. Thanks, and if you know somewhere that I can get some good sharpening stone, please let me know.

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Excellent video mate. Loved the family story and method "how to" was spot on. So many people think its a secret gift to be able to sharpen a knife but its not. As for the randoms knocking at the door, mmm, not good mate. No one comes down my drive unless i know them or they are invited. Stay Frosty. Cheers Moose.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you Moose :) The dogs were a few hundred meters away when the gypsies came :) The dogs will soon be on 2 "running cables" for the summer.

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Thought as much mate. We have them in Lapland, not Finnish Gypsies but from abroad, many power tools go missing if you catch my drift.

[@thenewfiewolf3925]

thanks so much Lars I didn't know about Kyle. I'm going to check out his channel and most likely sub. I always try and sub to channels from my home province of Newfoundland.

[@mikeboone4425]

Agreed Grand dads were great in both in your life and mine those are memories that will never be deleted with a key hit . As for the sharping no comment just to may experts out there they think we all get our edge items sharp just takes lots of practice . To some a one time effort is the only thing they know and both you and I know it takes hours and hours of practice and the multitude of stones some people insist on have is just crazy .I'm with you 2 and a strop. Happy Trails stay safe out there .

[@stardust307]

Hi Lars,i have a " Tokio " Kitchenware tool that i can slide on the back of the knife so it keep's the angle always right and the wet Stone must be but in water for 10 min. bevor use.Greeting's from Switzerland :)

[@canadianoutdoorsurvival]

Good video Lars, Thanks for the tips! My only question is did you answer the door with your SRK in hand?

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you :) Makarov. It's on the table in the later part of the video.

[@PaulBuikema]

SRK or SKS?

[@tomritter493]

Great tips Lars . Ok nice to see you back round makes it morethen personal too take care brother

[@jgurrea]

Would it be worth it to construct a small wooden wedge cut at about 20 degrees in order to use it as a guide under the knife?

[@MauzyrockRC]

hey! absolutely love your channel. i just found my grandfathers old bush knife. lovely knife. I know the basics of sharpening. however the blade is in great condition but I cannot tell which of the two blade design it is. This video helped. I am also from Newfoundland. cheers

[@alec_f1]

Angle guide sets are cheap on Amazon. I use Norton India stones to re-profile and only Dan's Arkansas whetstones to finish down to black Arkansas. Novaculite is like magic! DMT makes a great stropping paste set that goes from 6 microns to 1 micron that puts a mirror edge on a blade. I learned some great technique on Rough Rooster knife channel.

[@Shooter11B]

Lars, believe it or not a piece of cardboard is good for stropping as well because most cardboard has clay in it which is mildly abrasive and will provide a strop much like leather with stropping compound on it.

[@laurentvilodeau5434]

this is so cool,we have both developed the bassicaly same way to do this i learned filling too in machinist class lol ,i hate it when i see newbies dragging the file back it makes the hair stand on the back of my neck ..lol im a 1962 model and ex combat engineer and feel that we see many things the same way,and that we could have been brothers in an other life time.. lol a big CHIMO! to you and keep on keeping on brother.

[@Bob-eo3gf]

Thanks for sharing Lars.

[@sosteve9113]

Great story about your grandfather,looks like he was a great guy to have around Agreed about being a outdoorsman you have to know how to sharpen your edges Good tip from Carl to run the knife over some piece of wood to see if the edge holds Happy Easter Atb Steve

[@Toad_Hugger]

Great video as always Lars! I have yet to sharpen a knife. I should probably try to sometime ;) There's so much knowledge that we lose when the older generations pass away. People often talk as if previous generations or societies were somehow much dumber than what we have today, but I'm thinking they knew a lot more than us on plenty of things. I'm glad your grandfather has passed some of his knowledge on to you. Something we can't always take for granted. Here in the states we have soliciters, but they don't often try to sell us chainsaws. Good idea to check the door armed, never know who might be on the other side, especially when you live out in the middle of nowhere.

[@Toad_Hugger]

nick sweeney Aye, I'm a bit clumsy with them ;)

[@easyaussietarget3355]

Just found your channel and absolutely love it! Greetings from Australia and merry xmas mate.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you Aussie :)

[@Ecocristero3]

Wow Lars, first I’d like to say I love your channel and your videos, but I’d also like to say it sounds like my grandpa is a lot like yours he was also a military man (a US Army Green Beret to be exact) and he taught me all I know about the wilderness and hunting, camping, trapping, etc. I’d like to also say I’m only 15 so I guess wilderness wisdom being passed down isn’t dead after all. Thanks and Have a Great Day.

[@SurvivalRussia]

That's awesome buddy :) Thank you for the comment.

[@Ecocristero3]

Survival Russia No problem have a good one.

[@legendaryw7832]

Great video, greetings from México

[@bruleriverrooster2981]

Great video Lars. I've have owned an SRK in carbon V steel for over 20 years now. Reat knife and one of my favorites. It's super awesome. Lol

[@HaysieBoy]

The look on you’re face when there was a knock at the door “THEY’VE FOUND ME!!”

[@Konstantinos340]

Lansky blademedic very good for the field

[@Julian-bq9qv]

Grandfather was wise; Grandmother was a BEAUTY.

[@johnlord8337]

I know that Mrs Russia must be in Moscow, because if you are doing that on the kitchen table (even with that oil cloth), she would be giving you cast iron bumps on your head ...

[@SurvivalRussia]

That cast iron is gold John :) I'm waiting for the snow to melt away and we can do some outdoors cooking again.

[@meathook3000]

Nice! Very comprehensive!

[@miniwetwegrow8564]

You have khaki tablecloth !!! Incredible :)

[@maskedsurvivalist1886]

Great video Lars, i was watching some of your older videos and i Wonder where you can buy the flora winter jacket.

[@rogerbartley3684]

Great vid Lars. Congrats on 90k subs. Big fan...awesome channel

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you very much Roger B :)

[@lamarrmingle5976]

Very good ! Thank you!

[@lifefordummies]

Hello from Newfoundland! I never expected to hear you mention Newfoundland in a video. I am humbled that you even know about us! Thanks again. My carpentry instructor taught me how to sharpen knifes. He showed me stropping. I was amazed how he could turn a useless knife into a razor and make it look so easy. I hope spring time is nicer in russia then it is here. We call it "sprinter" (spring/winter) hahaha

[@SurvivalRussia]

"Sprinter" :) Great term :)

[@АндрейФесенко-о1н]

Lars спасибо! Не хватает на столе кружки чая и спящего у рюкзака мохнатого, толстого сибирского кота) домашняя теплая обстановка!

[@PawPawMountain]

Well Done! Thanks!!

[@Bikeadelic]

My father is an engineer and he also has the EXACT same logic to sharpning knives. Also said leather strop is good to get a razor edge. He likes to use 3 in 1 oil to lubricate the stone though?

[@folksurvival]

I'm sure your grandfather was *awesome!*

[@SolarfallBaits]

I always use some oil when i do the sharpening by hand, for some reason the wet stone i have sucks in water like a sponge haha. anyways great video for beginners. knowing how to sharpen a knife by hand should be something that everyone knows how to do.

[@SolarfallBaits]

i used to submerge it completely into water before starting the process, the thing is the water seems to go thru it while oil stays ontop really easilly. so it could be the type of stone im using.

[@mikaluostarinen4858]

Some wet stones should be submerged all the time when not in use, they take so long time to get watered. If you have already tried this, then maybe they aren't meant for water.

[@germanredneck9019]

Very instructive as always👍 Greetings, GR🤘

[@johndudley9118]

Hello Lars, I was hoping to see some taste testing of some Russian food, you being at the table with knives and all !

[@johndudley9118]

That sounds rather tasty!

[@Lynq-Oro]

sound advice, good video