The SECRET to sharpening a SERRATED BLADE is SANDPAPER and a SCREWDRIVER! no special tools required!

If you get frustrated trying to sharpen a serrated blade, this hack is for you! NO SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED! Just sandpaper, screw drivers (or other round shaped tools), a piece of denim or canvas, and some polishing compound, and honestly it takes about the same amount of time as sharpening a plain edge knife! I also use a diamond pen sharpener on REALLY ABUSED blades (like this example) but if you haven't ruined your blade like I did for the sake of this video, you can skip to the sandpaper at 5:51
Here are the knife and tools I used in this video:
Spyderco Endura 4:
amzn.to/3dWLmF8
Diamond pen sharpener (optional):
amzn.to/2UVCPtc
Sandpaper (3M sandblaster pro is the best, but that's my opinion):
www.lowes.com/pd/3M-SandBlast...
Brown polishing compound:
amzn.to/2JIeQs5
or the EXACT kind I have is the harbor freight brand:
www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...
Cloth polishing wheels:
amzn.to/2xQvAL2
This is the variable speed rotary tool I use:
amzn.to/3bQbpvO
flex shaft kit:
amzn.to/3dShjhI
*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice, please check the links below for current pricing.
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[@jondrew55]

Great video! If you're like me, and are not confident in finding the correct angle to sharpen at, take a black sharpie and blacken the edge. When you take the first pass at sharpening, look at the edge and make sure you're removing all the sharpie line. It can tell you if you are high or low.

[@sirpanzalott4090]

That was actually very helpful. Always hated combo blades because I could never get the teeth sharp. Actually might get one now

[@xfreeworld4563]

Really love that you’re filming all outside, feels so much more natural. Hope you’re staying safe in your travels!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks for the feedback! We are staying safe, thank you

[@fastfishtoo4991]

I use dad's Spyderco issued to him for the first Gulf War as an Australian clearance diver. I keep it on me for work on tugboats and it's been immeasurably helpful, cutting all sorts of line, ropes, and cords. Now she's a bit rusty and blunt and needs some lovin'!

[@jayvessel3444]

Reported for knife abuse. I definitely wish I had known all of these techniques a long time ago, but I'm glad you're here to educate us Dan. Keep up the awesome work.

[@GunsandGuitars]

😂😂😂🤦‍♂️I forgot knife abuse violates the community guidelines. Not of youtube, just life in general 🤦‍♂️

[@lanceharriss9001]

Thanks so much for the informative video...I really like combo edge knives the best..I cut alot of cardboard at work..Now I understand how to get the serrated section of my knives sharp!

[@docwillis1443]

Great video, very helpful. I also have an endura 4 combo edge, my edc since I bought it 6 years ago. Great knives.

[@sjoeld57]

I have several Spyderco combo blade knives that need attention. Thanks for the timely video. Stay Safe.

[@OGjimbo]

Damn, only 4k views for all that work, KZbin is freaking tough these days. Thanks for the good info, really appreciate it.

[@johnbauman4005]

Ok, you posted there were 4K views a year ago. Today YT shows a bit over 1K. How does that happen? Serious question, IDK how YT works. Another thing...how do some folks put chapters in to their vids? Is there a YT tutorial or something? But to a question about sharpening serrated blades - some conflicting info on unidirectional vs bidirectional strokes with the sharpener. What are the arguments for/against either choice? Thanks! ATB!

[@heidimayer7616]

Sand paper, allen wrench - BRILLIANT! Thank You!

[@edm2822]

Great video! Great tip on finding used knives that need just a bit of work. I think serrated knives intimidate people that aren’t sure how to sharpen. I have my own method but you gave me a couple ideas to refine my technique. Thank you!

[@Trollman_77]

Shut up Ed M.

[@knifeman1122]

Today I found a very bad used fully serrated spyderco Atlantic salt at the pawn shop and I tried your method. AND IT WORKED SO BEAUTIFULLY!!! It took around 20 minutes to do so. Thank you for making this awesome video

[@GunsandGuitars]

Awesome! Glad it worked so well for you!

[@torreyintahoe]

Great video bro. I like guns and guitars too, although I can't play electric guitar anymore because of hearing damage. I've been sharpening on the wicked edge for a long time and recently started a knife sharpening service. I'm very good with plain edges and scissors but have never done serrated edges. I'm getting a lot of requests for them so I'm going to give your method a go. Thanks

[@millibarman]

Thanks for the video. So much conflicting advise out there (inter web …). For example: always thought back and forth was a no-no; away only on serrations, but your results speak for themselves.

[@Laszlo-Szabo]

This was sooooo satisfying to watch 🤩

[@bdcochran01]

1. thank you. 2. I have been doing the same thing for years - buying abused Spydercos and restoring them. All kinds of ways to get to a good result. I hadn't done the Dremel routine yet. However, I have all components.

[@AOfuhSHO]

I'm loving all the knife videos Dan!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks aaron!

[@bhshakari]

Perfect tutorial video, thank you!

[@dragan3290]

Top job and tutorial! I can't believe I never thought of sandpaper on serrated knife? I MacGyver everything in general! I'm getting old. Lol. Cheers from Australia just subbed.nice work 🙂👍👍👍

[@TomGlm117]

Beautiful serrations. Gotta love the Harbor Freight special polish compound.

[@OMGWUNSIU]

Thanks for the tips, most helpful video

[@budmcnelson]

That was a great video, Dan! Thank you.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thank you bud!

[@Young007]

Great video bro!

[@mark64tanner]

Thanks for giving me another job to attend to 😉 Stay safe mate (sure you are) and all the best to you and your's.

[@tex24]

Very useful video. Thanks.

[@Weemanfaescotland]

Brilliant video, Thanks for it. Kind regards James Fae (from) Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 part of the UK 🇬🇧 👍

[@kriskhaira]

Amazing. If I could only have one sharpening system even if I'm not on the move, I'd use this setup, because it can sharpen almost anything.

[@causeandeffectparalysis3506]

very useful.. thanks Chief..

[@ganvansamkar1066]

Awesome video thanks a lot. Grtz from the surgeon

[@timsummers870]

Good work!

[@JohnKrieger]

Super helpful!!

[@keithsmith9889]

Sweet. Cool tips!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks Keith!

[@peterchamplin8767]

Great video as always.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks peter!

[@Pandizil]

Man I liked the video at the end and almost didn't subscribe but then you busted it out the Kershaw shuffle and you got a subscription too! I bought that little knife like a year ago at a fishing shop I was working at and it really is a great little knife.

[@Thundercloud_Jackson]

I have a black talion II cold steel it will take me forever to sharpen but no one around me can do it. This is super helpful

[@GunsandGuitars]

Cold steel serrations are really hard to sharpen because of the really fine tiny serrations. I usually just do the sandpaper on the bigger ones and go straight to the polish on the finer ones. Nothing cuts like cold steel serrations though!

[@DarkWing2274]

absolutely saving this for my new Milwaukee, i was stumped on how i would get the serrations

[@toddflowers8052]

Good stuff Dan ! I hope you and yours are doing well !

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks Todd! Hoping the same for you and yours!

[@raymondwilliams2609]

I just wish I had found your channel sooner! Thanks for your help! Subscribed! 😷🤗❤️👍✌️🤘👋

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks for the sub! Glad to have you around!

[@michaell_co]

Nice! Waiting for the 2020 top budget IEMs!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Haha it’s coming! I’ve been testing tons of them

[@842qwery]

Great info. Yoda man!

[@SkyRCFanatic]

Those of you who prefer to always carry a plain edge: have you ever attempted to cut a wet rope, large cable-ties, thoroughly butcher a deer (cutting through cartillage, tendons, etc.), cut baling wire (that has gotten wrapped around a cow's leg), or cut your way out of a tall briar patch (where wounded deer always seem to locate themselves)? I've done all of these with my Benchmade Griptilian combo-edge- and it's never failed me yet. And I totally reject the thought that it is more difficult to sharpen. Have you heard of a diamond rod?? I sharpen the plain-edge part of my knives with a Lansky System, hit the serrations with a diamond rod (if needed), and then strop the plain-edge part. It takes me no more than 10-15 minutes per blade.

[@user-vj3zm8bo2f]

Not all of us process game on a daily basis or need to cut super abrasive materials. My plain edge knives have no problem with rope and I never really needed to cut zip ties or most of the other things mentioned.

[@TheOnlyGuyWithASword]

Hey there, I love your videos. I am pretty new to knife sharpening and was trying to sharpen the blade on my Leatherman Wingman. I was wondering if it is required to use the polishing compound, or can you get by with just the sandpaper? Thanks.

[@realjester]

Pretty cool

[@rheath989]

Followed your advice and tried this on my spyderco endura 4 serrated. My knife was never abused.. only cut normal everyday things.. however it dulled as all knives do.. Blade just won't get sharp. Used grits from 320 to 800.. then Dremel polished.. knife is shiny but dull as hell.. 😭

[@ianseymour4066]

Love your videos man, everything I love on one channel. I gotta say tho, if you had a version of the guns and guitar shirt but with a rickenbacker 4001 shape instead of a flying V thatd be sick. Still a great shirt from a great content creator tho, keep up the work!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks for the idea Ian! I’m might just make one like that!

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

Awesome

[@gingebrien2408]

Awesome tutorial. I’ve stayed away from re sharpening my serrated knives. I see now how foolish that was. All ya need is patience and time. 😀

[@rmax2]

Excellent :)

[@VICTORYOVERNEPTUNE]

nice thanks

[@emonge9104]

Hi Thanks, I really enjoyed your video and all the information you shared. I'm a newbie and trying to learn, my question is... When the blade is a black DLC will the process be the same or there's some extra steps? The knife is an Old Gen Native from Spyderco and I really want to get the blade to factory edge razor sharp. Thanks in advance for your help and feedback. Rock on 🤘🏾🤘🏾

[@richszmal1653]

One tool you can use for the sandpaper is a folding set of torx bits since their all round like a screwdriver and diferent sizes to fit the teeth.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Good idea!

[@brunorojas3992]

But aren't they hexagonal or have a shape other than smooth round , wouldn't that affect?

[@bigviper64]

My shop has a LOT of different sized Nails..I like the idea, not sure where I can get the polishing compound tho.

[@bobonysko3167]

What is your opinion of Veff Serrations? How do you add those to a knife without serrations (assuming you like them)? Thank you!

[@MastaT]

I really appreciate this video. I know serrated blades are frowned upon in the knife community so asking for help on ways to sharpen them gets annoying. This definitely helps so thanks for sharing!

[@GunsandGuitars]

And I seriously don’t get it either. I’m a knife guy to the core and I love a good combo edge blade. But I’ve experienced the same friction in the knife community. Even today I started carrying a new plain edge knife I got, and already missed having a serrated portion. 🤷‍♂️

[@franbarnaby7638]

The abuse was hard to see.. great info and channel

[@IlliniDog01]

I always loved combo edge knives. All my OG Delicas had them. Hard to find decent pocket knives with the combo edge now a days.

[@GunsandGuitars]

I have a combo edge delica. It’s awesome. And I agree that there’s not a lot of combo edge options these days! It’s really sad.

[@jackdunn4463]

If you look online almost every spyderco knife has a combo and full serration option. Tons to choose from

[@OMGWUNSIU]

Bench made Knives in Oregon. Substantially better than decent.

[@DavidLuger]

What do you think of wet and dry sandpaper with water or oil for knife sharpening? Thanks for the tips. The garage is waiting.

[@eranhoffman6179]

Did you tried sharpening with whetstones, and if so can you recommend a set. Btw love your vids!!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Personally I don’t care for whetstones. My favorite set of stones is the lansky deluxe set

[@brucev6642]

Do you use the Dremel on your flat edged knives when sharpening to polish the edge?

[@jetsimmer]

Great video thx. What Blade Steel are you sharping on this Endura? I am considering the purchase of an Endura 4 (fully serrated) in K390. But can you sharpen K390 with Sand Paper?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Mine was vg-10, but if it can be sharpened with a stone then it can be sharpened with sandpaper!

[@fredjohnson9856]

"no special tools required!" - spends first part of video using a special tool....

[@GunsandGuitars]

No special tools for sharpening. The special tool was for reprofiling a damaged blade.

[@Venom5260]

@@GunsandGuitars so you needed a special tool

[@nflmixo9357]

@@GunsandGuitars That’s called click bait disliked

[@AlbeDarned89]

You could just use a courser sandpaper, like 80 or 60...

[@MultiVance123]

@@Venom5260 “No special tools for sharpening.” The keyword in this sentence is “sharpening.”

[@elijahmorrison4758]

Oh cool its the exact same knife im trying to sharpen

[@123Ir0nman]

Just what I needed to figure out how to sharpen the serrations on my chisel! How are you guys dealing with the lock-down thing with you being on the road and all that?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks razman. We are doing good, we found a good secluded campground to hang out at until this blows over

[@123Ir0nman]

@@GunsandGuitars Good to hear! I heard camper reservation numbers have spiked like crazy everywhere!

[@EvilSSP]

All you really need is a Spyderco Sharpmaker. It may qualify as a "special tool" but it works perfectly and you can use it on all your knives. Those tapered diamond rods are garbage and will do more harm to serrations than good. The Sharpmaker will give you razor edges every time.

[@stevejette2329]

If I didn't know that YOU were making this video, I would think it was me. LOVE the Lansky !! And the blue tool. ALSO use a 10 power jewelers eye lupe. Best tool I own. I also buy Goodwill and thrift store knives, clean them and sharpen, then gift them. Just got a $3 Goodwill "5.11" EDC. I will be keeping that one. Next day I found a 7" Henkels German santoku. LIKE NEW. $190 knife for $20. I'll keep that one also. People often know their subject but not videography. Lighting, camera angles, sound, script, etc. And I had NO complaints about yours. SUB !

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks for the sub!

[@stevejette2329]

@@GunsandGuitars Wait. ... YOU are thanking ME ???

[@metubeusercom]

Subbed

[@t.m2933]

By chance do you have a video on putting a RAZOR TYPE EDGE on a small Ax?

[@brunorojas3992]

Those round pocket stones at the hardware store worked wonders. I did a circle motion clockwise on the edge and got it razor sharp.

[@DragonofLimerick]

Very cool, now no one will touch our toilet paper!! Lol

[@Sylencer1982]

Hey, Dan. Our household mostly shops online for, well, just about everything, so there's always a metric sh!t-ton of cardboard to process. I actually prefer a straight edge for it, but I found a trick: Don't cut the cardboard perpendicular, but at a 45* angle. This way, when the thickness of the blade tries to push the cardboard away (as it's kinda required to do) the cardboard's not being pushed into *more* cardboard beside it. Makes it a *TON* easier to cut through large quantities of it.

[@GunsandGuitars]

I agree on both your points, a *sharp* straight edge is better. My issue is that if I waste my sharp straight edge on things like cardboard, rope, zip ties, etc, then I won’t have that sharp blade for more delicate tasks like opening a letter or package, etc. the serrations just keep the hard miles off my plain edge. And as for 45 degree angle, definitely agree, if you can always use that angle, which is not always true depending on why you’re cutting the cardboard in the first place

[@GunsandGuitars]

Also, I hope your guitar wiring is going well!

[@Sylencer1982]

It's going about as well as you saw last time. I put in the hole for the volume pot now; it was pretty cramped, but I think I'll be able to manage. Still gotta shield the hell out of it, though; that's a *lot* of little bitty wires that I bet will be an induction nightmare.

[@Kevin-nr9lj]

Watching these knife sharpening videos makes me want to buy one :D

[@GunsandGuitars]

Hold out a little bit. I have a video coming on the best budget blades!

[@jpad470]

I felt almost physical pain when he started sawing the rock 😆

[@dancrumbo5922]

Do you have a vid about sharpening plain edge?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Yes I have a whole series on it!

[@joejones9520]

"accusharp"sharpener, 10 dollars, cant go wrong.

[@lukesouthworth9310]

Wow can i mail u all my knifes lol

[@jesusgrande1881]

Wow that scratching on the rock in the start made me cringe, good content tho!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Yeah that was pretty hard for me to do too. But I was able to save it!

[@battube44tqs]

That part was so wrong lol! I had to look away and I don't even flinch when I see an athlete break a bone or something 😂

[@hawkeyerichardson5026]

What kind of sandpaper? Regular, carbide, or something else?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Regular! The stuff you already have! I’m sure any will work fine

[@flushot6513]

I could see both in one for finer cuts your gonna use the tip for precise cuts and then use serrated for tougher cuts

[@frithsteadfarm904]

Not the ROCK 😳🤣🤣🤣

[@John-jq2hf]

What if I can only get one piece of sand paper will it work

[@GunsandGuitars]

Use a fine grit and it will certainly help

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

And many people say you're not supposed to go both ways when sharpening!

[@spiritualwarriorhealer6154]

Guns, Guitars & knifes.

[@lapinus]

Hey man, I have a question for you, it's not related to the video though (guitar kit question). Could you make a guide on how to convert a tune o matic style bridge (with the stopbar/tailpiece) to a floyd rose bridge? I have this pitbull guitars jk-1 kit and I would really like to have a tremolo there, but while the bigsby tremolo may be a cheap option, I would like to move the tremolo up. I know there's the floyd rose FRX tremolo made for tune o matic style guitars, but 250 euros for a 130 euro kit? Hell nauh. And there aren't any chinese copies for cheap. Now, if I wanted a Flying V/King V style guitar with a floyd I'd buy a kit from guitar fetish, but the shipping is around 100 dollars (around 85 euros) so I wouldn't really consider that. Last question, could your fender 6 screw to floyd rose bridge conversion video be any useful for this? I mean the routin is the same, but IDK, you are the expert here :D. Anyways, thank you so much for your awesome videos.

[@GunsandGuitars]

That’s a good question. I’m wanting to do that myself on an es335 style kit I have. I’ll think it through and see what I come up with!

[@lapinus]

@@GunsandGuitars ohhh nice man! Cant wait for that video to come out :).

[@MrDDiRusso]

SPYDERCO SHARPMAKER

[@robertspicer2947]

drill bits

[@Boomer8404]

No gonna lie, I screamed with pain and hatred inside when I saw you abusing that blade!!! I had strong feelings of wanting to punch you in the nuts. However, nicely done bringing it back!!!

[@yes_no_maybe45]

Second!

[@jbw5923]

Dan, you used that polish "as a strop". Could I use mothers polish like I do on my feed ramps? Or would it be better to use my green strop chalk?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Either will do fine, mothers is great, but it’s a little soft so it might take a bit more elbow grease

[@jbw5923]

@@GunsandGuitars thanks.

[@nishantverma943]

But serrated edge can't be sharpen to and fro...it's only towards downwards.

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

I know cold steel serrated knives have a slightly different serration size

[@GunsandGuitars]

“Slightly” is quite an understatement! Haha

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

@@GunsandGuitars I'm not real familiar with trying to sharpen The Serrated Cold steel Blades but i have seen them compared to other companies that have Serrated Blades.

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

I'm still a Semi newbie to the World of Knife sharpening. I've been practicing though. I just don't have the kind of money to go Messing up a expensive Knives. And I've noticed that some local flea markets have raised their prices too on the used knives ..

[@zone8848]

I think most ppl should just start and end with rolling sandpapers

[@ZEBULON181]

I love fun and I have no money

[@joejones9520]

I reshape serrations into regular blade, hate em.

[@jeffreypircher5095]

lol totally using a chopstick

[@shonuffisthemaster]

you had me untill you completely rounded off the edge by buffing it lol. if anything, serrations need to be more aggressive, not less.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Have you tried it? You might be surprised

[@shonuffisthemaster]

@@GunsandGuitars ive rounded over edges with too much stropping pressure before, if that's what you mean. u can get a nice hair popping edge that way, but it looses all its aggressiveness for many tasks, i feel its a "false sharp". best example is cutting meat. ive had hair popping edges that just glide over a chicken brest and can barely cut it.

[@FPSNovaS]

Good vid but... that knife may be a fake.... that could and would explain being dull and cheap. Also there is a lot of fakes out there

[@JZStudiosonline]

Why say factory razor sharp? I've never seen a factory razor sharp serrated edge on anything. Seems like at best they cut the grooves with a wheel at maybe 240.

[@anthonyafonso3599]

You said without special tools...kak man

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

You cannot sharpen your knife out in the field in the woods like that!

[@bigbadstretch13yrago]

Man seriously... you said that you could ‘even use Allen keys’ to wrap the sandpaper around to sharpen the *round* serrations. Think for a minute, what shape are Allen keys (hex keys?) This is some kinda good advice but I call complete BS on that😉

[@GunsandGuitars]

Did you try it? If you did you would know that two or three turns of sandpaper will shape that hex into a circle. Please don’t knock ideas till you try them.

[@joelfildes5544]

Real men don’t have serrations…

[@decommonifyable]

Sounds good doesn't work