Sharpening Steel Advice

Author
Discussion

pointedstarman

Original Poster:

551 posts

145 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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I'm in need of a decent sharpening steel and would appreciate advice on which type / manufacturer is the best buy.

I have a bunch of Global knives but tbh find £140 ish for a Global sharpener a bit steep!

This said, if the general consensus is they're actually good value then I guess I'd stump up.

Would prefer to pay something less than £50 if possible - anyone got actual experience of a steel that goes well with decent knives?

21TonyK

11,494 posts

208 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
For Globals get yourself a proper 35 degree sharpener with a medium and fine wheel then a diamond steel to hone them on, TBH most people would be happy with just the wheels.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000A33LJ?keyw...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wusthof-Extra-Diamond-Shar...


Fishtigua

9,786 posts

194 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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I've still got my Sabatiere I bought in 1983.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richardson-Sheffield-Sabat...

Big Al.

68,798 posts

257 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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21TonyK said:
For Globals get yourself a proper 35 degree sharpener with a medium and fine wheel then a diamond steel to hone them on, TBH most people would be happy with just the wheels.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000A33LJ?keyw...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wusthof-Extra-Diamond-Shar...
Second one IMHO, you don't need wheels and things to keep a keen edge, only to get an edge to start with.

pointedstarman

Original Poster:

551 posts

145 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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Thanks all. Think I'll go for the Wusthoff. smile

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
quotequote all
Sorry, you've chosen the wrong product. Steels don't work on globals. Mino sharp 3 is specifically a global sharpener and is awesome.

BigJonMcQuimm

975 posts

211 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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Burwood said:
Sorry, you've chosen the wrong product. Steels don't work on Globals. Mino sharp 3 is specifically a global sharpener and is awesome.
Seconded - the Mino Sharp 3 gets my Global knives super sharp.

I normally do 7 pulls on each wheel twice, about once a fortnight. Keeps the Globals super sharp.

Don't press and run through at a slow speed.

21TonyK

11,494 posts

208 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
quotequote all
Depends on the knifes condition. If it is actually blunt and needs re grinding then a mino sharp is the best option for a Global or most oriental knives which are originally ground to 35 degrees and not 45 like European knives.

Once a blade has a basic edge then any steel, ceramic, stone or diamond steel will maintain it.

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
quotequote all
21TonyK said:
Depends on the knifes condition. If it is actually blunt and needs re grinding then a mino sharp is the best option for a Global or most oriental knives which are originally ground to 35 degrees and not 45 like European knives.

Once a blade has a basic edge then any steel, ceramic, stone or diamond steel will maintain it.
Agreed. The sharpeners simply align the bend/deformed edge which causes a blunt knife. I've never had a new edge applied to my knives and they are used every day and 10 years old (few small dinks in the odd blade where some drunk fool thought it would be cool to cut a beer can in half). I can see the benefits though. The wheels still manage to get the blade paper slicing sharp which is good enough for me.

blueg33

35,579 posts

223 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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The only answer is Mino Sharp 3.

Over the years I have tried most types and the Mino sharp is the best by far.

One bad stroke over a steel can blunt the knife and its hard to get a consistent angle

Stoatman

592 posts

166 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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I wouldn't use a traditional diamond steel on the globals. I'd go for a ceramic one, the diamond is a little too abrasive.

Sharpening properly wise , go for the mino sharp wheel as suggested

pointedstarman

Original Poster:

551 posts

145 months

Sunday 30th August 2015
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Mmmmm. Hadn't thought about the alternatives to a steel. Will take look.

Stoatman

592 posts

166 months

Sunday 30th August 2015
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Unless your a powerfully built company director , just search Mac ceramic steel. The global one is triple the price.

S6PNJ

5,157 posts

280 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
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Slightly blows your budget out of the window but the ultimate in knife sharpening has to be the Wicked Edge

I bought one off a PH-er and have since made up my own 3000 and 6000 stones to go with it.

Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Monday 6th June 2016
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Wicked Edge certainly not cheap, but it works really well. I think I'm thanking you for the recommendation. :-)

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Monday 6th June 2016
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It may well be great but who can be assed with that

aberdeeneuan

1,339 posts

177 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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I use the Mino, works well.

Problem I have is how to sharpen a bread knife? Never worked that one out - what's the approach with the Globals?

SpydieNut

5,794 posts

222 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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aberdeeneuan said:
I use the Mino, works well.

Problem I have is how to sharpen a bread knife? Never worked that one out - what's the approach with the Globals?
i use a spyderco sharpmaker - very easy to get the correct angle as the rod is held in a base and you just have to hold the knife vertically and stroke it down the stone. it also does serrated edges.

ETA - for Global knives in general, I think that Minosharp 3 looks perfect.

Edited by SpydieNut on Tuesday 7th June 11:29

Zod

35,295 posts

257 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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I use a Mino whetstone. It makes the knives very sharp.

fredt

847 posts

146 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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Recently bought a Lansky kit. Bit of a faff and fiddly on really small blades, but my kitchen knifes that were reasonably sharp (and secateurs that was destined for the bin) are now sharp as fk.