Sharpening sprue cutters etc...

[aurfalien]

Hi,

I'd like to touch up my various sprue cutters, small scissors etc... and was contemplating a small diamond based whetstone at 400 and 1000 grit.

What do you all use to sharpen your various scale model building tools?

Thoughts/opinions are very welcome.

[crazyjim]

I throw them out and buy new ones.

[aurfalien]

I throw them out and buy new ones.

Hi,

Well, my tools are sort of expensive and I'm the kind of person that would rather not throw things out.

Different strokes I suppose.

[Kit Basher]

If your tools are not too dull, 400 and 1000 grit should work. 1000 is a little coarse for final honing of knives, but it should be OK for sprue cutters. You don't need them to be scalpel sharp.

Keep in mind that if you take much off of the cutting edges, they may no longer meet. You may have to file the stop between the handles to get them closer together.

Edited August 10, 2017 by Kit Basher

[aurfalien]

If your tools are not too dull, 400 and 1000 grit should work. 1000 is a little coarse for final honing of knives, but it should be OK for sprue cutters. You don't need them to be scalpel sharp.

Keep in mind that if you take much off of the cutting edges, they may no longer meet. You may have to file the stop between the handles to get them closer together.

Hi and thank you sir.  I'll aim for > 1000 grit then.

[BigTallDad]

If you've never sharpened a cutting tool, practice on something cheap, like an Xacto blade. 

Learn the difference in the direction of the sharpening stroke: stroking away from the cutting edge will leave a burr (which must be removed); stroking into the edge (as if you were attempting to slice off a piece of the sharpening material) does not leave that burr.

Understand the angle of your stroke. If the angle is high (45 degrees, for example), more force will be required when using the tool; tools sharpened to a 20 degree bevel tend to "feel" sharper because they cut more easily.

I'm 74 years old and have carried a pocket knife for almost 70 years. I use a 1000 grit diamond stone, followed by a stone almost the consistency of marble, ending with the backside of a leather belt that has lots of jeweler's rouge on it; when using the stones, I use about a 15 degree angle and stroke into the cutting edge, the belt is used like a razor strop, stroking away from the edge, using the same 15 degree angle. The final pass (singular) on the strop on each side of the blade is about 30 degrees and a very light touch.

I can shave hair with my hunting & pocket knives.

[aurfalien]

If you've never sharpened a cutting tool, practice on something cheap, like an Xacto blade. 

Learn the difference in the direction of the sharpening stroke: stroking away from the cutting edge will leave a burr (which must be removed); stroking into the edge (as if you were attempting to slice off a piece of the sharpening material) does not leave that burr.

Understand the angle of your stroke. If the angle is high (45 degrees, for example), more force will be required when using the tool; tools sharpened to a 20 degree bevel tend to "feel" sharper because they cut more easily.

I'm 74 years old and have carried a pocket knife for almost 70 years. I use a 1000 grit diamond stone, followed by a stone almost the consistency of marble, ending with the backside of a leather belt that has lots of jeweler's rouge on it; when using the stones, I use about a 15 degree angle and stroke into the cutting edge, the belt is used like a razor strop, stroking away from the edge, using the same 15 degree angle. The final pass (singular) on the strop on each side of the blade is about 30 degrees and a very light touch.

I can shave hair with my hunting & pocket knives.

Hi and MANY thanks.

I'm assuming the preferred method is to avoid burrs?

And when you say into the edge, it would be like this;

Edited August 10, 2017 by aurfalien

[BigTallDad]

You (and the video) are correct. 

[aurfalien]

You (and the video) are correct. 

Hi and thank you sir.

[Ace-Garageguy]

If you've never sharpened a cutting tool, practice on something cheap, like an Xacto blade. 

Learn the difference in the direction of the sharpening stroke...(and angle)...

Exactly. You can easily ruin an edged tool by "sharpening" it incorrectly, and when two edges have to meet as they cut (like scissors etc), it's doubly imperative you do it right.

[aurfalien]

Exactly. You can easily ruin an edged tool by "sharpening" it incorrectly, and when two edges have to meet as they cut (like scissors etc), it's doubly imperative you do it right.

Hi,

Yes I have a pair of scissors and an old steak knife to test on.  Not to mention some old Exactos.

Will be fun.

[OldNYJim]

Bravo for fixing something rather than replacing it!

[BigTallDad]

Hi,

Yes I have a pair of scissors and an old steak knife to test on.  Not to mention some old Exactos.

Will be fun.

When sharpening scissors, a more severe angle (60 degrees or so) will be required because there are two pieces involved in the cutting process. These two pieces overlap for the cut. When two pieces meet each other (such as the cutters in your video) the angle is approximately 45 degrees.

The steak knife should be about 20 degrees or so.

There is a LOT more to be covered when it comes to sharpening (such as sharpening meat cutting knives for slicing or stabbing), but you've got a lot of info that should get  on your way. If you have any problems, PM me.

[Dodge Driver]

When sharpening scissors, a more severe angle (60 degrees or so) will be required because there are two pieces involved in the cutting process. These two pieces overlap for the cut. When two pieces meet each other (such as the cutters in your video) the angle is approximately 45 degrees.

The steak knife should be about 20 degrees or so.

There is a LOT more to be covered when it comes to sharpening (such as sharpening meat cutting knives for slicing or stabbing), but you've got a lot of info that should get  on your way. If you have any problems, PM me.

I've been sharpening my own tools and implements for 30 plus years. You have shown me I have much more to learn in that area.

The knowledge base on this forum is quite expansive. I discover something new practically every day!

[aurfalien]

The knowledge base on this forum is quite expansive. I discover something new practically every day!

Hi,

Yes quite a fantastic gathering of ppl I might add.  Unique in an age of RSS feed responses and rather rude and belligerent forums else where.

Unsure if the members here know just how much they are valued and appreciated.

I love it here.

Edited August 11, 2017 by aurfalien

[Dodge Driver]

Hi,

Yes quite a fantastic gathering of ppl I might add.  Unique in an age of RSS feed responses and rather rude and belligerent forums else where.

Unsure if the members here know just how much they are valued and appreciated.

I love it here.

Well written! I agree!

[aurfalien]

Well written! I agree!

Hi and thank you sir.