The Absolute Best Knife Sharpening Method - Cheap - Easy

[@gernaneering]

i,m glad that i came to a similar conclusion about sharpening knives in the wild. By using the wet and dry abrasive sheets of paper used for metal polishing and paint preparation on car bodies etc, But with the exception that i use convex edged knives instead of a scandi ground edged knife , i also use a broad leather strop glued onto a wooden board as a backing for the wet and dry abrasive grit paper to resharpen my knife so the leather strop forms a shallow depression to abrade the existing curved convex edge to make a very sharp resilient cutting edge But let me emphasize at no point do i ever apply excessive pressure on the cutting edge, as it will actually end up blunting my knife by forming a rounded edge, the action i use is a light rapid back and forth movement with very light pressure , then going to a finer grade abrasive paper, and finally i strop the edge on the leather belt with only a green abrasive polishing compound on the leather surface to polish the edge to a very sharp edge by dragging the blade backwards over the leather belt mainly the abrasive paper is cheap very effective and practical and light weight to carry as well although i have to carry a wooden backed leather strop for my method and a polishing compound as well. Many thanks for sharing your methods and technique, i like your beautiful thick bladed knife too, it looks extremely sharp, good luck to you and thanks for telling me your knowledge and experiences with knife sharpening

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Sounds like you have a perfect method going. Thanks very much for sharing. I'm going to pin this so that those who have blade edges which are not flat can learn from your method.

[@roomatoid440]

Sir, not only is this the most informative knife sharpening video I've ever watched, but you have the most fabulously soothing voice I've ever heard!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you very much. That means a lot. 🙏

[@michaelarnold5787]

He's like the "Bob Ross of knife sharpening"! Certainly a simpler and effective way to sharpen a knife.

[@aeromech8563]

As a 53 YO I have sharpened knives for many years and have been using this technique for most of my working life as I have wet and dry paper readily available wherever I work. It's so easy and quick and you don't need heaps of gizmo's just a block... good video and advice! 🤘🤠

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[@CarnivoreRonin]

My dad was a carpenter/cabinet maker and farmer/rancher. He used the same technique to sharpen his knives and tools with worn, fine grit sandpaper and a wood block. His castrating blade was truly amazingly sharp! He also made it a point to make sure you slow down, take your time, and do it right. Great video, I'm glad I found your channel.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing that, Jason. And thank you for watching. 🙏

[@mikebrickman5761]

So true your point about "slow down--take your time" when sharpening for best results AND no blood!

[@kennethtalbott2233]

can i borrow his castrating blade? couple of guys still owe me money.....

[@CarnivoreRonin]

@@kennethtalbott2233 That's hilarious!

[@donalddicorcia2433]

There’s a quote attributed to Abe Lincoln: “Give me six hours to cut down a tree and I’ll spend the first four sharpening my axe”.

[@fyoung64]

Thanks for the video. My father always shaved with a straight razor. I remember the strop hanging in the bathroom while growing up. Also an old outdoors man here...made plenty coffees that way. Here's a little trick. Once you take the coffee of the heat put a few drops of cold water in the pan and the grounds will settle to the bottom immediately.Stay well and bless you!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you fyoung64. Appreciate it. God bless you, brother.

[@orvillehorner4326]

Yeppers. And or a couple egg shell's just a couple little pieces. Coffee ground go straight to bottom. Even if you are not going to have eggs on your trip just save some take with you 😉.

[@therogers4432]

@fyoung64 Yup, the traditonal Cowboy Coffee method -I was going to say the same thing about adding cold water but you beat me to it... The science of how/why this works is that the heat convection takes the cold water, along with any loose coffee grounds floating on the surface, to the bottom of the pot, allowing you to pour grounds-free coffee from the top 😁👍

[@teaganwindago3132]

I only spent almost 51 years trying to shave sharpen my knives. I only have 87 plus all my commercial kitchen knives and I've never been able to razor sharpen any of them. I have never heard of the sand paper methothod. But I get it and will try it! Once I get one done I'll know I'm on my way to mastering the half a century long skill I did not possess until I found you. Thank you. I know If I fail It's because I failed! Not because of your instruction. Thank you again. I subbed and will let you know my success rate.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you for watching, and thank you for sharing. I believe you will have great success with this method. Yes, please let me know your results. Thank you so much. -William

[@KinkyKangaro0]

If you cannot get to shaving sharp you are probably not hitting the leather strop for long enough or correctly.

[@worm_vaquero]

How'd the method serve?

[@shirleymorales3161]

@teaganwindago3132 wondering how the knife sharpening with sand paper went for you ?

[@TruthIsTheNewHate84]

After you do this nail staple or glue a piece of stretched out leather on a similar piece of wood. Then rub some polishing compound into the leather and do this same thing but with the leather. You will get a shaving sharp edge.

[@mikedvorak7]

I just came across your knife sharpening video. I'm a wood carver and have struggled with keeping my knives sharp, attempting many methods. But yours is simple and effective! Thank you, I highly recommend your method. Kitchen, sportsman, carving, pocket knives; I'm able to finally keep them all razor sharp. Thanks for sharing!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

It's my pleasure. Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm super glad it has helped.

[@paulwhite3277]

I'm gonna try it your way and see what happens

[@NeevesKnives]

As a professional sharpener there's really nothing wrong with this method, as long as it's not a high carbide steel in that case you should use diamond stones, but great job it looks like you have gotten good at this method I would have went at it differently even with b the same tools but you have your system down and I applaud 👏

[@JohnSmith-gs4lw]

I suspect you might also find that with some of the “super steels”, those lower-end oxide papers either take a LONG time to pull the edge back, or simply don’t do it at all. In which case you’ll need to (as Mr. Neeves recommends to stop carbide tear out) go to a diamond surface or a ceramic surface. But for high carbon tool steels, absolutely; this will work all day long. In fact, if you watch any of Jacklore Knives’ videos, this is exactly what he does for his knives. He’s in a shop, so he puts the knife in a vise and runs the paper over the bevel, but functionally, it is exactly this. Just be careful to not run the tip too hard off the block or you’ll round the tip over. Also, you have a very light touch on your strop there, but if you ever go with compound, and use more pressure, you want a supported strop or you will convex the edge. That’s why barber razor strops are unsupported like your belt there. Of course you can use wood, and even cardboard in a pinch to strop off the burr. Just keep that light touch.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you very much, and thanks for watching. 🙏

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Good advice, John. Thanks so much.

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

What diamond sharpener and grades do you recommend for pocket knives all the way to fix blade knives that would allow me to use this method?

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

I am not a knife collector so I don't have many to sharpen but I would like to learn to sharpen my knives properly which I learned from this video but also want to use the proper materials. I have the Becker BK2, Civivi Elementum in S35VN steel, Carbon Morakniv basic, Carbon Opinel #8, Buck 110, and carbon Leatherman Signal...oh and Victorinox Swiss Champ. What sharpening materials should I use?

[@jessejames71]

The making of morning coffee in the outdoors is always appealing, Thank you. Now I have a better understanding of how to properly sharpening knives.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure Jesse. Thanks for tuning in.

[@ecrusch]

I used that method to sharpen my woodworking chisels and it works great. Thank you. I subscribed.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Eric. 🙂

[@butterflywing61]

Been using your method with triangular ceramic stones and the results have been amazing. Fastest way to get a good edge yet. Thanks a ton !

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Great ro hear!! Thanks so much!

[@bogdan1186]

Sharpening ok. Congratulations on great sound. Nature sounds instead of noisy music.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Bogdan. 👍

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

Balistol is a German gun oil who is more than a hundred years old and still one of the best. Great on skin and to clean and disinfect wounds bites etc. So it was very god to use in the trenches. great on wood and leather to and on guns of coarse, it also nutralizes harmfull acids. It's just fantasic, really makes metal slide against each other with extremly little frictioon.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Hi Morten. Yes, it really is fantastic. 👍

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@xXRambodianXx truth told. 👍

[@gregorybahr7072]

Always them German folks... Says this German guy LoL 😂

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@gregorybahr7072 😂😂

[@Baruch-Hashem]

Its great, most;y mineral oil, which IMHO works equally well in my experience. Cants go wrong with either.

[@mikelundrigan2285]

Been using this method for 30+ years! I am a hunter and wanted a way to sharpen my knives when processing big game deep in the country! It needed to space saving, low weight, easy to use that got the edge sharp! Works well on all accounts! One important thing…good steel is an absolute must if you want the edge to stay sharp as long as possible! Cheap steel won’t hold up! Cheers!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Good advice!!

[@billmixson3218]

Glad I found your site; great so see someone offer useful/simple to use information on sharpening knives, cooking in the wild, etc.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you, Bill, and welcome. I'm glad you're here.

[@bgro555]

Thank you! I been pushing instead of pulling all these years and in 5 minutes I got my 2 favorite knives 3 times sharper than they have ever been. I used my Diamond Work Sharp stone kit but I followed your directions and not theirs !!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That's great to hear, Ben. Thank you. 👍👍

[@trwhitford65]

That's the fastest 30 minutes that I've spent in a long time !!! Thanks for your time.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Tr. Appreciate that.

[@callyman]

I have to admit at the beginning I thought How am I going to watch a 30 min video on sharpening a knife! But I did and I'm glad I did so! great method, cheers

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Gcal. I'm glad you stuck around. 🙂

[@johnallison4688]

What I really like about this method is the ability to visualise the angle of the blade, something that you can’t do when overlooking a flat working surface..Thanks for a valuable video.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure John. Thank you for watching. 🙂

[@oldoutdoorsguy1157]

When you become comfortable with "visualizing" the angle, try to fix your mind on "feeling" that same angle while using this procedure. There is a "sweet spot" on the blade's edge where, if you have maintained a fairly flat surface on the steel, you will be able to feel the "sweet spot" as a totally smooth almost glassy surface. It is a subtle thing and not everyone can reach that level of discerning where that spot is located. It is dependent on the level of sharpness you have acquired during the process. But, if all is done with a focus on the feel of the blade as your stone or sandpaper is applied to the surface, you will finally come to realize that spot and become more discreet in finding it as the grits grow finer and finer. Good luck.

[@DaryooshF.Sh.P-vq6mu]

One of best methods with really high skills. Just make sure to watch at x2

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you. 😀

[@carrietaylor7909]

While at Desert Shield/Desert Storm, I carried Buck, Gerber and Schrade folding knives all at one time on my belt. My First Sergeant used to come in the office while I was working and grab one knife at a time, sharpen it and come in with a bare spot on his arm. I had no idea what he was using to sharpen them with, but they were very sharp when he was done. I still have those knives. Great video, thank you!!!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

😁😅🤣 Too funny. Yeh, I can't sharpen too often because I run out of arm hair. 😂 Thanks for the comment and for watching. 👍

[@JohnSmith-gs4lw]

And thank you for your service.

[@georgethomas4483]

Always carry a nail sanding board in my shirt pocket for touch up when hunting no extra weight and works great

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Great idea!

[@bobvedder2451]

I sometimes take a ceramic coffee cup, turn it upside down and use the unglazed edge as a sharpening method. I have used many methods to sharpen knives also.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

I haven't tried that one yet, but I eventually will. Thanks. 👍

[@cardboard316]

That's the way I sharpen all my knives

[@kuyckxandre268]

what you have me learned (taught me) that is pure science really a craftsman I thank you very much because I will also teach my children this and refer to you I thank you for this knowledge of craftsmanship because of Andre Kuyckx 62 years young and from Hasselt Belgium.. all glory to you sir.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you so much, Andre. I really appreciate that!

[@BradyPatterson]

Love this method, first learned of it from Mors Kochanski. He'd give you a piece of plywood ripped down to 2" wide x the length of the sandpaper squares which I can't recall right now. Then you'd use 2 sided carpet tape to secure the sandpaper to the board and you'd do both sides, one with 600 and one with 800 grit. I still use this method more than any other. Thanks for sharing this!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That seems like a great method. Thanks Brady!

[@markmadsen6828]

Great video! Simple is always best,. I've watched people absolutely destroy expensive knives on belt sanders,. I think they were trying to reheat treat the steel! Never heat a bade,, that was done at the factory... Remember kids, unless the blade has nicks or a rough uneven edge we are just "polishing" the edge that is already there. ~God bless.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Well said!

[@swamp.stomper]

The results speak for themselves! It seems that everyone from hobbyist to professional sharpeners have different preferences as to their tools and methods. I love seeing all different takes that people have on this big blurry subject. Thanks for the video!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Yes, it's definitely hard to argue with results. 👍👍 Thank you for watching. 🙂

[@1001CP]

I agree with you! There is no "wrong" way if the result is a shaving blade. There ARE terrible ways to sharpen knives or actually- they never learn to sharpen/maintain the particular steel of the knife/tool. I got quite a few nice knives because they could not "hold an edge" when all it took is 5 min to keep an edge correctly. Again, great point my friend!!

[@abarkcanoe]

Newcomer to the channel and have been working down the list of videos. This is the first one you’ve spoken in. Your great narration voice adds a lot to the experience.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you. I appreciate that. I usually go into the wilderness for peace and quiet, so would rather listen than speak, but once in a while I do. 🙂

[@milododds1]

I used to sharpen knives as a kid to earn spending money. I like your style with how you're holding the knife and moving the stone instead. Great explanations on what and how you're doing your honing.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks very much. 🙏🙏

[@JBlades88WV]

Thanks for the lesson. At first I tried these methods and only made my knives more dull. I thought I ruined my knives. I kept trying and trying and was finally able to get a decent edge on my blades. It definitely takes practice and trial and error but the results are well worth it.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Hey, thanks for watching. Mostly, it's just a matter of getting the angle right. I'm glad that in the end, it turned out alright.

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

I am fully convinced of your technique, having done something like it myself. Great video.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you very much 🙏

[@AlfonseGambino]

Sharpening knives by hand is truly an artform that takes time to perfect. Well done getting your blade that sharp.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks very much!

[@kevenbeene4585]

Ive sharpened proffesionally for years . Love this video showing different methods. Ive even used the window on my pickup to touch up a blade. Great video sir.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks very much Kevin. I appreciate that. I've never tried the car window. 😂 I'll try it.

[@kevenbeene4585]

not much i havent used to sharpen in my 53 years. lol

[@marcroggen4849]

Or the bottom of a ceramic coffee cup.

[@samuelgustavsson1483]

I am from Sweden and the scandi grind comes from scandinavia(sweden, norway, finland, dennmark, iceland) and the most common angle is about 11 degrees on each side. A total of 22. But it depends on how you use your knife the most. You can use a total angle between 15-25 degrees, to make it more durable or more sharp. In Sweden and Norway, the edge usually is a little more obtuse and in Finland they use a little lower angle. One thing you should have in mind is, that it was developed for the knives with the metal, the heat treatement and the use that is common among scandinavians, but it usually works fine on most knifes, with a few exceptions. I think your instruction is very, very good sir. But you must excuse my semi bad english, I am Swedish you know. 😃

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you for watching and also for the information. It's appreciated. Also, your English is fine. 👍🏽😊

[@NedBoukharine]

It's funny but I came to the same conclusion and I use the same method. Being an experimental physicist by training, I try and observe what works and what doesn't with a little bit of analytical thinking thrown in and low and behold I arrived INDEPENDENTLY at the same conclusion that you gained from practical experience. I actually took advantage in my search fro a good way to sharpen my knives from a previous professional experience in polishing crystals for use as scintillation detectors and the stuff I read about techniques for polishing other optical lenses to a very high degree of smoothness. It's very instructive and much fun.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That's pretty darn cool, Ben. Thanks for sharing that. 👍👍

[@ThePinkBinks]

Any gemstones you’d recommend for this? Not counting diamond.

[@carlosoruna7174]

Optical polishing. Another world.

[@williampyle8]

I'm glad I saw this I've been looking for a way to sharpen my knives I like that it's inexpensive and it doesn't take long. Thanks

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@williampyle8 Thank you for watching. Hopefully it will be useful to you. It works great. Thanks again.

[@cbass2755]

That’s how my Dad used to sharpen knives! Wow…you brought back a memory…I lost Dad in 2012. I saw on a different channel where a women used a nail file. It works too….

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That's awesome, Cbass. I'm glad it brought up a fond memory, and thanks very much for watching.

[@alexandergennaro8596]

William I thought of this but in a vice with stones, but this is better. Now I can use my blades and have confidence to keep them sharp and maintained. I am grateful and thank you

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure. Thanks very much for watching. 👍🏻

[@richardhenry1969]

I use that same method but I use a soft pad to make my knives have a convex edge. I learned about using sandpaper from my grandfather he was a machinist. Very good information.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Great idea about the soft pad for convex edge. Your grandfather was wise. 👍 Thanks for watching.

[@brianwalker1933]

New subscriber to your channel. I've been sharpening knives for 60 years, since l was first taught at 11yo. This is the exact same method l've been using for the last 22 years, on my knives, machetes and axes. I mainly use various grits of sharpening stones, initially on my axes, then l finish off with various grits of sandpaper. (Wet/Dry)

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks for the sub! And you're a wise person. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@bushcraftcostarica808]

Good stuff, I've used the same idea for a few years now. For blades with the Tracker design I round one of the block edges. That way the block fits the quarter round and maintains the edge.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks much. That's a great idea. One edge square and one edge rounded!! Great idea!

[@Dragongod462]

I like your knife sharpening method. I'm ordering a pack of different grit off Amazon today. $5.99 cant beat that. 😅 As for the wood block I'm going to find a piece around construction sites. Its free. My Kershaw clash an older one needs a razors edge.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Awesome. Thanks so much for watching. 👍🏽

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

Thank you. I was using sandpaper which I learned from another video but I was pushing the blade against the sandpaper instead of away from it. And finally stropping with a leather belt without compound is an excellent tip.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching. 🙏🙏

[@edcrutchfield3447]

That was special! Man at his best with Mother Nature. Thank you 😊

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank YOU for watching, Ed.

[@jacobrawles8687]

I knew an old whittler who would sharpen his knives with sand paper like that, some of the blades were half inch long and very thin. So this works for just about any knife. Great video, thankyou for posting.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks Jacob, and thanks for sharing your experience, too. 👍

[@Airik1111bibles]

It's the best way especially for scandi grinds in my opinion. It's so simple and cheap

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Agreed, and thank you for watching 👍🏽

[@DaveBooth-qs7sw]

Thank you It’s something that I have never seen performed before & it makes great sense! I learnt something new today thank you very much!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching 👍🏼

[@charlescollier7217]

Absolutely this. I also use this approach to convex edges and even to re-profile knives.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That's awesome. Thanks Charles.

[@johnandannewrightson9260]

when i was a bookbinder i used to sharpen my pairing knife with the wet and dry and strop on the leather. use to glue the paper to one side of a piece of millboard and the leather to the other side

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That sounds like a good method.

[@xenoptryx]

What is millboard?

[@gregchandler900]

Nice!

[@donmiller2908]

I bought what is called a contractors pack of sheets of sandpaper at Walmart from a company called "Fandeli" on 3-25-23 after watching this video. It's called "Waterproof Professional Sandpaper" 36 sheets ranging from 120 grit through 2500 grit, about three sheets per grit. The pack was only $9.00 bucks. I've sharpened three knives so far and the papers have very little wear, so for $9.00 bucks I'll have sandpaper for a long time. I've never been good at sharpening but this method friggin works! Just tilt the blade until the edge is flat against the paper and hold the blade motionless while moving the wood block. I got three knives shaving sharp in 30 minutes.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you're having success now.

[@donmiller2908]

@@thewildernessphilosopher - I'd like to shake your hand and buy you a beer. Best video I've ever watched for useful and practical information. Stay Well!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@donmiller2908 thanks so much. Who knows, perhaps one day we could have a beer. 🍺🍺

[@hookbeak2321]

I found your video most informative: When I first left school I became a butcher, but I never really believed my bosses properly taught the best technique for sharpening. Like you I've tried so many sharpening tools that claim superiority over the others, so that's obviously a marketing trick. I'll definitely try your method.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you. I think you'll like it.

[@PaulRubio-nw2kk]

I am also 57 years and I've never been able to get my knives this sharp. I've tried stones and little gizmos but nothing worked like this. Thank you. F y I , i lose count to, even when i'm not talking 😂

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Great! Thanks for sharing. And too funny about losing count. 😂

[@DrewJacobson61]

Thanks William! I’ll try this method . Love the birds and rain in the background! God bless you.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you AL. I think you'll love it. God bless you as well, sir.

[@RobMaynardDJ]

Agreed its transporting woodland bliss into my city living room 😎❤️

[@robertweldon7909]

Ya, I believe I actually was hearing a Coo Coo Bird?

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@robertweldon7909 yes you were. 👍

[@georgeohwell7988]

Greetings from Northern Ireland...the best tutorial on sharpening a knife I've seen, subscribed

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you George. That means a lot . Seriously. Ireland is on my short list of places to visit. Just to see all the shades of GREEN.

[@georgeohwell7988]

@@thewildernessphilosopher Yeh there's a lot of green here in the emerald isle, but that's because it rains a lot here....chuckle, but fella you should come, just make sure it's summer 😉 slainte🍀

[@pounceonyou1958]

Thank you, I have been looking for a cheap and easy way to sharpen my knives.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching. 🙏

[@franko1372]

I have Sharpen Knives all my Life, but you have showed me a very Interesting way to Sharpen Knives, for sure! Thank You so much for taking the time to show us!! I Appreciate it very MUCH !!!!! Oh Yea, I am 72 Years old!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure, Frank. And thank YOU very much!!

[@bobbyvillamar196]

nice method for sharpening practical and scientific strategy ...more power to your channel .stay safe and god bless bro.phillippines...

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Bobby. That means a lot. 🙏

[@UrbanNeanderthal]

Great explanation of the excellent & cheap sharpening methods I was shown by Mors Kochanski circa 1982. I may have missed any reference you made to the source of your “discovery” but in bushcraft I am comfortable believing there’s not much new under the sun 😉 just rediscovered & reapplied.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

I would agree with your last statement. I didn't get the idea from Mors, but it makes complete sense that he would use such an easy and effective method. I discovered it through thought processes of my own while contemplating what we are actually doing while sharpening knives, knowing that many knife manufacturers use a belt sander to get the original "factory" edge. It just makes sense. Thanks for the info about Mors Kochanski; one of the founding fathers of Bushcraft. That's the icing on the cake for me. 🙏🙏

[@garypotter5569]

Mors Kochanski, baby! Boss of the boss!

[@margaretwaters7715]

I can not believe it is that simple. I have tried so many ways to no avail. Thank you ;)

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure Margaret. Thanks for watching.

[@PrajnaShivaKalidasa]

This will cut down on some weight in my backpack instead of carrying sharpening stones. I will definitely try this.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Absolutely Clifford. I'm always looking for ways to cut weight as well. Please let us know your results after you give it a try. And thanks for watching 🙏👍

[@Dragongod462]

Thanks for the knife sharpening info. 😀

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you for watching 👍🏽

[@sajp8859]

Yep-this is what I’ve naturally gravitated towards-A 1/4” thick Scandi-ground razor-sharp EDC. I started out buying one of those dual-sided sharpening stones that comes with a little wooden base-holder and just carrying the stone around (usually one side is around 500/800 and the other around 3000 or so).

[@sajp8859]

Just a extra note to say, I’m around 72 yo and have simply just followed the gentlemen/woodsmen around me in my life (like the old philosopher here, with raw grounds in the pot 😄 and my half-century-old enamel camp cup) who have this kind of bush experience-mainly up here in the Northwest. When my EDC bag is getting too full of junk, I end up just leaving a lot of the stuff I don’t use at home. So, if i look in the bottom of my bag right now, for knife-sharpening, I have my dual-sided stone, a couple of different grits of emory cloth (oil-wet-dry sandpaper) a little wood block, and a little bottle of Olive-oil that I also use for frying my meat and eggs. The olive oil is good-works on protecting the blades and is also totally non-toxic. 🙂 OK let’s go camping!

[@carlosoruna7174]

Born in northern spain, saw how the pasiegos used a daille and maintained it. They used to pound the daille with a steel hammer at noon , oh and a soapstone soaked in water in a horn. Old knowledge. Ohh nice tarp setup.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks Carlos. 👍👍

[@tbsbstrd521]

THE BIRD ON THE BACKGROUND SOUNDS REALLY GOOD

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

God provided that . 😃 I agree.

[@shimmyfix9315]

I take a sharp blade and cut a slot in the wood block to anchor the sandpaper. It helps to keep the paper as tight and flat as possible. Beautiful knives you have there.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Shimmy Fix, and great idea.

[@TheKCBBQ]

Love the coffee mug

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you TheKCBBQ. It's one I made a couple of months ago from a downed Piplar tree. 👍

[@GabrielDeMfromNY]

This dude is cool and laid back and super chill!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks buddy. 👍🏼

[@airtow6766]

I’m always looking for simple ways to maintain my tools and I just so happened to have just bought a pack of sandpaper. Knives here I come!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Nice, Airtow. I think you'll like it. Let us know.

[@joq702]

Looked like a very peaceful, enjoyable get away from the world bustle place to be. Loved the break out some tea or coffee at the end.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Relaxing indeed. Thanks so much for watching. 🙏

[@lesliemiller7534]

I noticed that most of the time you did Not go to the tip as you suggested but this is still a great method to be able to have the means to sharpen your knife in the woods, And eaiser to keep up with the strokes when you can concentrate on what you are doing.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Could be. You know it's scientifically proven that when something is observed, it changes. 😁 So, maybe I didn't do as well as I could have. But thank you for watching and for the good feedback. -TWP

[@edmedlin2936]

I am a few years older than you, and I like to listen to a mature man explain something like this, when it is evident that he knows what he is talking about. I sharpen knives also, and use many different tools. I like your fine grit sand paper method. I like using crock sticks or a steel to touch up the edge.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Ed. I appreciate that!!

[@wayneclark3641]

Brilliant Video in so many ways! - Makes me wanna Load up my Back Pack and head off to the local Riverside and just sit there trying this out whilst chilling out - watching the world go by! Thanks x x x

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you, Wayne. By all means, do it. 😎

[@markeverson5849]

From one old Woodsman to another thanks for the reminder to get out in those wild places that I love so much and I could be there way more often because I live in the southern Missouri Ozarks rather than letting all the difficulty in life over bear us sometimes where we just kind of hide better to get out in the woods and often I find myself saying boy I'm sure glad I stepped out why don't I do it more often and sometimes I shake my head at myself

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

I understand what you're saying. But every time we get out, it's always a positive experience. 👍 By the way, my entire family is from the Ozarks, but in Arkansas. Beautiful place.

[@markeverson5849]

@@thewildernessphilosopher I moved up here about a hundred miles north of Calico Rock Lake Norfork I lived up Brushy Creek for 20 years on Lake Norfork one of the wildest parts of the lake off-grid Homestead

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@markeverson5849 that's very cool. You're very fortunate.

[@markeverson5849]

@@thewildernessphilosopher bought 17 acres in about 1991 up above the lake for about $5,600 from a real estate company in Calico Rock and then I broke my back had a spinal cord injury but we come down from Wisconsin few times back to the land we loved it out there it was amazing then I built a cabin in a little Homestead there had to lay call of myself I had 47 Willys Jeeps and free-range country around Lake Norfork Arrowhead hunting and driving over mountains and Hills down little logging roads that were shown to me by an old man who used to be a guide on the Buffalo River they still know he's a legend. Just asked about catfish Melvin Johnson at Norfolk he was my neighbor for many years

[@pgandy1]

Congratulations, you discovered it. Sandpaper will do a marvellous job. I’ve used it for years. As for shaving with a ¼” blade, several of my blades are thicker. Just checked with an antique kukri with a 13 mm spine, which is thick even for a kukri, and it shaved. At 84 my military and SAR days are over but I remember the weight factor and the need to reduce it. So, here’s a tip that I found for a quick field touch up, with no bulk. Heck, you had everything but the kitchen sink in your pack including 4 knives which would work by using their spine. I use mainly a chakmak, but any steel with a HRC higher than the knife being worked on will work and I have done so. Brace the knife, the tip bedded in a tree or piece of wood will do, and run the steel over the edge from the sides to realign that micro roll that develops during use. It works like a butchers steel. I use until it no longer seems effective and then it’s sandpaper time for a true sharpening. Usually a honing will do the job at this point and this seems to give longer life to the blade. You also talk about the ‘feel’ when all is correct. The sound will be different also.

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

I cut a length of wood 8" long 2" wide and about 10 mil thick, one end has a piece of leather glued to it, rough side up, and the other end I wrap fine grit paper round, this served me extremely well over the year's on my old Jacklore as a sharpener/honer when in the field, but now I take a fine file because the knife I now use blunts quite quickly. This video is a good tutorial.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks very much, Neanderthal Outdoors. And I like your idea.

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

@@thewildernessphilosopher Oh and a small tube of Autosol metal polisher, just in case. Paul.

[@GeezerBoy65]

This is an improved method, refined, from what I was taught 50 years ago by an outdoorsman neighbor. He just used #220 black wet/dry automobile sanding paper. Worked quickly but not super sharp, although okay for many purposes. Your handheld wood block method is also much better. He and just used a wood table top and big sheet of paper.

[@Baruch-Hashem]

It is really that simple. I use a large single ceramic rod, also good. Many methods, but what I like about sandpaper and a block is always having fresh cutting surface.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Right on!

[@fernandsavoie6641]

I’m glad I stumbled on your video…I will try that on my knives…you got a new subbie!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

You're most welcome. Thanks for the sub!!

[@jamieminton172]

Good Information. I use multiple methods of sharpening/honing depending on the tasks that the blade will be used for. I am a sailor at heart and most of my large belt sheathed knives have a utility edge (Micro steak knife edge) as opposed to my smaller pocket or camp knives with a razor edge. Razor edges are "Cool" and have a purpose but are next to useless when cutting thru dense rope (Poly is the worst) and are pointless for chopping and splitting. A coarse utility edge can still filet but has the micro teeth to rip thru dense material. A quick one/two leather strop for the utility and a detailed strop/hone for the razor edge. I prefer leather sheaths that are well seasoned biannually (cleaned, warmed, saturated with veg oil, left to cool and then wiped dry). This generally keeps my blades and edges corrosion free. Just subscribed. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks Jamie, and thanks for sharing your method. It sounds like a winning combo.

[@willroland9811]

You've got to try a Spyderco with fully serrated blade, I recommend the Delica with stainless handles. I cut 1½" braided nylon in a single swipe with that blade. Nice heft to it with the stainless as well...

[@HPAcustomriflesandcerakote]

I am a professional razor, knife, tool, and axe sharpener which i do with free hand. I have more stones than anyone should really own but it comes with what i do for what the edge will be intendid to cut. I use man made Japanese stones it really tuff to beat them for your standard carbide steels, for super steels i use diamond stones otherwise it wont happen or atleast not in any reasonable amount of time especially if you are trying to edge out s90, s45v, or m390, ect. Now they are harder than the hubs of hell. As far as Arkansas stones and other natural stones a lot of people who use them are not real serious sharpeners and think natural means better. Unfortunately its not the case though about 1 out of every 8 natural stones you purchase will actually be satisfactory. That may upset some folks but it is what it is and its helpful information to know a man made synthetic waterstone will serve you better than a natural. A good man with proper technique can get away with one quality 800grit or 1000grit stone along with a leather strop which you can add a little compound or polish on. Now if you were to go 50 times like you did at a moderately sharper angle 50 times will micro bevel. Now the sand paper thing your doing will work and work fine some people do it that way with a fine result witch is fine. It will work actually pretty darn good for 1095hc, aus 8, ect carbon steels. But it wont do much to your modern super steels which some people dont like using anyways. I like both for different reasons as they both have advantages and disadvantages. This was a good video i can tell you know what you are doing, a lot of people have trouble learning to sharpen from poor explanations but i think a new sharpener could benefit here if they want to try this method.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks very much for the beautifully detailed explanation. Much appreciated!!

[@tonynapoli5549]

Excellent video very good method use it myself thank you

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Tony. Much appreciated. Are you from Napoli, sir? I've been there a couple of times. The people are extremely friendly, and the pizza is delicious.

[@tonynapoli5549]

@@thewildernessphilosopher My surname is Napoli not from Naples sir I’m British ...... good question though 👌🇬🇧

[@justforfunphotography01]

Tried the stones...mediocre results. Tried the sandpaper...which I already had in garage...pretty sharp!!! Thanks!!!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank YOU for watching.

[@williamrowell3053]

You learn something new everyday, and you made mine. Thanks I will use this method in the future.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you William. 🙏

[@blades2255]

Love coffee too. Always the right time for coffee. Love the channel

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks very much, Blades. Love the name, by the way. 👍

[@brianjameson8261]

Thank you so much for that...iv been looking for years for this advice....also very well presented in a way everybody can understand

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure, and THANK YOU.

[@Bruce6001]

Great video, I just sharpened my neck knife using this method it and it worked great

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you Bruce. Good to hear it worked for you. 🙂

[@hillbillyfromtheswamp6223]

New to the channel. As far as a 1/4" blade goes. My Esee 5 can shave with no problems. Great video sir and much appreciated

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you HillBilly. I appreciate it. One of these days I'll pick up an Esee 5. I've only heard good things about them.

[@matthewputman6150]

I have used about everything from the top edge of a car window to the bottom of a ceramic bowl when i worked in a restaurant. My go to is a Gerber diamond for roughing in my lower angle and then i switch to a piece of 1 inch ceramic pipe that i had heated up to a very high temperature and sharpen my cutting angle and this has given me risk satisfaction. Sometimes i cannot even touch my skin to shave without cutting myself and then i strop it

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Very cool method. 👍

[@w.j.mildfelt4547]

My grandmother used to hit a few quick links on an an old crockery bowl and that knife was SHARP !!!

[@stevesyncox9893]

As a knifemaker, I use the Tormek for original bevel, giving it a “hollow grind”. This method would be ideal to “tune” the edge. Thank you.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank YOU very much for watching.

[@CSGraves]

I've used this method for years for reprofiling & sharpening blades... I'd start as low as 40-60 grit for serious reprofiling, and work my way up to 7000 or 8000 grit, before final touch up on ceramic stones and/or stropping. And while I'm mostly migrating to diamond plates (largely because keeping the sandpaper flat without gluing it down can be tedious! But also diamond plates last a long time if you use light pressure), I'll still go back to sandpaper for certain niche applications... for example, the recurve on a few billhooks/brush axes I have. I put the sandpaper on a length of 2x4 with one side slightly rounded over for accommodating the recurve. Mirror-polished billhook, anyone?

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Sounds like a nice strategy.

[@xade7863]

I’ve been using a 300 and 600 grit Diamond for reprofile and getting a decent edge then go to 1k 2k 3k 5k sandpaper and strop on some chromium oxide compound and it’s mirror polished and wicked sharp.

[@derick4774]

Loved watching this. Found out that I am stropping my knives to hard. Thanks

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching. 👍🏽

[@derekgreene688]

I've been needing a good strong durable knife just like that for my Bush crafting

[@dennispope8299]

I can actually hear the knife getting sharper...meaning you don't hear the sound of the stroke as much. It sounds smoother each time you change the grit. Can't wait to try this! Thank you sir!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure Dennis. Yes, after a while you can go by feel and sound as much as sight. Let me know how it goes.

[@MrMZaccone]

When in the field, I use virtually this same technique but with a set of small Arkansas stones (although, I'm considering switching to diamonds). The only difference is, that I've learned to switch hands rather than turn the knife around. When stropping, turn the blade over its spine, not over the edge. For the experienced, this is not as important but as a general rule, it keeps the less experienced hand from lifting the edge off at too high an angle. I also think you'll find that 50 strokes is far more than necessary to get the best edge. All you're trying to do is remove the microscopic burr by fatiguing it until it breaks off at its root.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thanks Edmond. Appreciate the tip.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

And thank you for watching. 👍👍

[@william2644]

I just bought a course/fine diamond stone and I absolutely love it.

[@william2644]

I have been using your method of sharpening with my diamond stone and it absolutely the best. I sharpened all of the kitchen butcher knives and now I have to do all of the dishes, because she is afraid to touch them!!!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

@@william2644 😂😂 that's hilarious 😂 😃

[@EDerable1]

Nice to see because I also use that method. Your knife gets razor sharp like this👌

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Agreed. Thanks for tuning in. 👍🏼

[@alexvx800]

Hello, Thank you for sharing this info, it's very useful. Best regards.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you very much, Alex. 👍👍

[@TheBladepolisher]

My second or third time watching this video, and I've got to tell you, this is by far the best video I've seen on sharpening. Other videos leave you wondering "well what's the right angle?" and people with a lack of mechanical skills end up getting frustrated and giving up. Not with this video. Just follow what's being done and take your time and like anything else that requires you to follow instructions, if you go from 1 - 10, you'll be a shavin' those lil' chiny chin chin hairs. BALD MEN PROCEED WITH CAUTION ! ! 🤔😂 Thanks Again Pal ! !

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Very much appreciated Saaki. Thank you so much!!

[@Joshua2496-s9k]

I use dmt diamond stones and Japanese wet stones. I follow up using ceramic hones and a strop with flitz metal polish and plane leather. It usually does the trick!

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

I imagine that works very well. 👍

[@dangeo9613]

Thank you for clarifying this option! I like this method for good control of the angle. The blade cutting angles are visible and easier to sharpen than a stone. I would use a small sharpening stone in the same way you use the sandpaper.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Glad you found it useful. Nothing wrong with using a stone the same way. Great idea!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Looks good. Thanks for showing us. Take care.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

My pleasure Quinn. Thank YOU for watching.

[@georgeburchett5798]

Thank you. I will give this a try. seems you have cut through the mysteries of the knife sharpening trade. I have spent far more than I should have. I wish I would have seen this many years ago. Sharpening tools are a real rip off.

[@thewildernessphilosopher]

Thank you George. I appreciate that. And thanks for watching. Let me know how it goes. 🙂