Very thin sharpening media

Posted by: ironraven

Very thin sharpening media - 05/30/09 03:54 PM

I've got a stash of 1.5mm plastic sheets (all 3x5) in storage at my folks. I was thinking, if there is a very robust sandpaper of appropriate grit I could glue to that, to make very thin, fairly stiff sharpening sheet.

But I don't even know where to start looking for this type of sand "paper". I want it to be something I can have both for BoB and EDC, so I'll want it to be durable. Even if it something like diamond or corubunum (sp) on a poly film. I'm thinking around a 600 grit for most things, 800 for touchups, and maybe 400 for stuff that is really beat or don't need a great edge like trowels.

Or has Raven flipped his lid?
Posted by: CJK

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 05/30/09 04:13 PM

No you haven't flipped your lid.....well maybe you have, but not about this. Razor's edge sharpening system has them pre-made.

http://www.razoredgesystems.com/index.php/Products/Hones/13_Handi-Hone_Pack.html

Usual disclaimer.....I only know them as a customer, don't get anything from them, etc..... Their products are excellent.
Posted by: Chris Kavanaugh

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 05/30/09 04:17 PM

Lee valley Tools- chisel sharpening sandpapers.
Posted by: Tom_L

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 05/30/09 04:35 PM

It works but the sandpaper won't last long. If I may suggest, a DMT diamond card would be a much better alternative. Exactly the size of a credit card, 600 grit, very effective. A Fallkniven DC-3 or DC-4 pocket sharpener is even better, though slightly bulkier.
Posted by: ironraven

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 05/31/09 12:45 PM

Thanks guys.

I was hoping to do it on the cheap and make something a LOT like the DMT sharpening cards. *laughs* I'd forgotten about those.
Posted by: billvann

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 06/01/09 04:55 PM

Rockler Woodworking & Hardware has adhesive sandpaper used to mount on flat glass for sharpening chisels, plane irons, jointer knives, etc. The Fine Paper Set #25033 comes with ".. two each of 800, 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit, 41/2'' x 11'' Klingspor finest paper with ''peel and stick'' application."

I trimmed a piece of 800 and 1200 for my PSK. If needed I can peel the backing and stick on top of my PSK tin to turn it into a shapening "stone."
Posted by: JohnE

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 06/01/09 06:06 PM

A can of spray adhesive, some nice 800 or 1000 grit wet n dry paper and a flat surface, and voila...

Anyone can make themselves adhesive sandpaper.
Posted by: MoBOB

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 06/01/09 06:47 PM

Originally Posted By: JohnE
Anyone can make themselves adhesive sandpaper.
Yup...Spray any part of your body with the adhesive, through some sand on it. Or is that anyone make themselves sandpaper? crazy
Posted by: KenK

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 06/01/09 06:48 PM

Originally Posted By: JohnE
A can of spray adhesive, some nice 800 or 1000 grit wet n dry paper and a flat surface, and voila...

Anyone can make themselves adhesive sandpaper.


It works real well!!!

Remember, its not for sharpening your lawnmower blades. For keeping an edge on a knife it will last for a good long time.

Be careful of too much flex while sharpening though. Some folks will glue the sandpaper to tile or glass to provide a hard flat surface.

Of course the other option is to glue it to something quite soft - like a mouse pad - and go the convex edge route.
Posted by: Tom_L

Re: Very thin sharpening media - 06/01/09 07:25 PM

Realistically speaking, a 3x5" section of sandpaper (regardless of backing) will be just enough to touch up a knife or two that have lost the shaving edge.

If you have to restore the edge on a blade with any kind of nicks or other damage or maybe an axe that needs just a little bit more work you might as well forget the sandpaper strip. It simply doesn't work. Especially stuff like 800 to 1000 grit. That's fine abrasive, basically polishing. No good for anything more radical than that.

The real benefit of the DMT sharpening card is that it lasts a lot, lot, lot longer than any sandpaper and even though at 600 grit it's pretty fine already, the diamon coating is hard and removes metal fairly fast if necessary. And it's also pretty cheap so it's going to be more cost-effective in the long run.

The Fallkniven DC-3/4 is the same, only you get the fine polishing stone as well on the other side. Costs a little more $ but is well worth it. At least it's the real deal, not just an improvised makeshift solution. You will appreciate it in the field when you need to do some real sharpening.