Old Time Sharping System

[Miles Linnabery]

Dear Paper Modelers:
After moving and then doing a Summer clean up of the garage I found a Penknife hone that my father must have gotten many years ago. It is Marked Water of Ayr Penknife Hone. Having taught Wood carving for 20 years I have used lots of different sharpening systems through the years, and I just tried the Penknife hone on the #11 blade and it is by far and away the best edge I have ever put on the Blade. If you can find one in an antique store or garage sale get it. below are pictures against a 1 inch grid of front back and side views with a homemade sharpening stick I used in wood carving made with 1000grit sandpaper on one side and jewelers rouge on the other.
Model on,
Miles

[Don Boose]

Hi Miles.

Looks like a very useful device. Although I usually use a new blade when the previous one wears out, sometimes I strop the blade on a grit-coated stick called a Sharpy that I bought from Peck Polymers (stick and tissue model supplier) many years ago. One side is a little grittier for sharpening; the other side is coated with something like jeweler's rouge for honing.

They are no longer in the Peck catalog and seem to have disappeared without a trace.

Don

[NevadaBlue]

I have several stones and tools for sharpening, but like my hard Arkansas stone best. I collected the rock myself, cut it on a diamond saw and flattened it. I've had it for nearly 50 years and have found nothing to beat it for steel knife blades.

[wideride]

Hey Miles. I have nearly the same set that was my Grandfathers. He gave it to me when I was in scouts (decades ago), after learning how to sharpen knife blades. I've been the designated 'family tool sharpener' ever since! Have a nice collection of stones and hones for different jobs. It's amazing how long a #11 blade will last when slid across a stone! - George

[airdave]

hahaha I saw the thread title and wondered what "sharping" was?

Thought maybe it was how I treat the staff in a lousy restaurant!

Carry on.