sharpening problem?

[moredneck]

I'm trying to sharpen one of my skinning knives and I'm having a problem. It only shaves hair torwards the tip. I'm pretty sure I have it apexed and no burr.

[Lin Rhea]

Josh,
      Most likely you have not gotten the rear parts of the edge down to a burr yet. You have to get a burr first. That burr means that you have both bevels meeting at the infinite edge. Then it becomes a matter of refining it with finer grit and stropping.

Don't be tempted to steepen the angle if the angle is already correct. Just keep stroking it on the stone and you'll get there. If you have access to a diamond stone, you can remove more material faster and then go back to natural stones. Or at least that is what I do.

[moredneck]

Thanks I will try that.

[tippit]

For the sharpening impaired, KME & Gatco systems work quite well in keeping or re-establishing the correct angle on the blade edge.  It is easy to rock the blade angle from front to back and sometimes very difficult to get it back.

[kbaknife]

And mark your edge with a black felt tipped marker to see where you're making contact with the stone.
It's surprising, sometimes, what that will reveal.

[moredneck]

I hear ya tippit but when out in the field its easier to take a stone rather than a kme or gatco system.

[Kevin Evans]

All these tips are great and correct.

What I promise will work is PRACTICE!!.
Get an edge like you want ,then dull, do it again.,and again and again.
You will quickly learn angles and presure and grits.
After a while it will be fast an easy.

After reading, I see you are from Mo.
you are welcome to come to my house to learn sharping.

[moredneck]

Thanks for the offer Kevin but I can get a working edge I'm just wanting it to be scary sharp.