My OperaNight vision binocular Keeping Bowie Knives Sharp
Sunday, August 22, 2010 7:18:44 AM
Bowie knives are among the most versatile cutting tools ever conceived. That versatility means that they're put to many different tasks and, quite often, that the blade takes a beating. Even the highest quality steel can only hold an edge for so long. Learning how to sharpen a Bowie knife is a basic part of owning them.
There are several characteristics of Bowie knives that make sharpening them a tough job. They have long blades, which makes them unwieldy on a stone. They also have curved blades, which requires that the proper sharpening angle be maintained, for all intents and purposes, while turning a corner. The knives are also thick-bladed, which means they won't fit correctly in many all-in-one devices. Because these knives oftentimes are made of very fine steel, they deserve to be maintained with the correct tools and the correct technique.
Many of the high-end all-in-one sharpeners make getting a good edge very easy. There are models large enough to accommodate Bowie knives. Usually, one places the blade in a set of guides that maintain the correct angle between the blade and the abrasive. Some of these devices allow the individual to hold the knife upright during sharpening, which makes the process more comfortable and easier all around.
Many owners prefer to sharpen their knife by hand. This requires coordination and patience. Done improperly, it can ruin the edge on a Bowie knife as quickly as can a bad automatic sharpener. Done properly, many users argue that this manual method produces the best of all results. Some individuals simply like sharpening the blade manually as it more closely resembles the reality of how the original pioneers and fighters who used these weapons would have maintained their own blades.
Remember to always use oil when sharpening Bowie knives on a whetstone. Without this lubrication, the blade can be completely ruined. If one has no experience sharpening knives, it's best to practice on an expendable blade before setting to work on a high-quality knife. On some Bowie knives, there's a notch at the hilt of the blade. This is called a "Spanish notch". Many knife owners use this as the indicator of where to begin sharpening the blade. The easiest way to keep the bevel of the blade even is to draw the knife along the stone on one side and then repeat the process on the opposite side. Alternating in exact proportion ensures an even edge on the blade.
Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knives store featuring SOG bowie knives as well as humidors for storage.Night Vision Binocular: Night Vision Monocular
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