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Honing A Blade Using A Flintwheel Lighter

Ken — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:43:23 +0000

Knife blades will lose sharpness as the cutting edge is deformed from use. The sharp tip of the cutting edge can be rolled off center effecting it’s performance. The center of a thumb wheel is knurled and made of a hardened steel. When stroked along the knife edge it can straighten the rolled portions back upright thus re-establishing the sharp edge.

Honing differs from sharpening in that honing re-aligns the cutting edge of a blade vs. using an abrasive to remove material to re-establish an edge due to chips, dents, or just being worn from use.

It is said that “a sharp knife is a safe knife” because it is predictable in it’s cutting action and requires less pressure to use. When stroking the edge you might want to pinch the wind screen to prevent the striker wheel from rolling. It’s the static knurled wheel that straightens the steel edge.

I always carry a lighter and a knife and so whether I’m in the field or traveling about I am able to maintain a sharp edge on my knife.

Ceramic Cup a.k.a. Knife Sharpener

Ken — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:00:40 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I almost never carry a sharpening stone around with me. I may have one in a kit, or my BOB (Bug-Out-Bag), but sometimes, when you’re out and about, it’s nice to bring back that edge to your knife, because a sharp knife is a safe knife. A sharp knife gives you better control while cutting, and of course, it’s more efficient.

Basically, all you have to do is turn an empty ceramic coffee cup upside-down and place it on a table top. Most cups are glazed only on the upper portions and perhaps a recessed bottom, but there is usually a bare ceramic ring exposed that provides just the right abrasion for your blade. My Spyderco Endura has some pretty tough AUS-6 stainless steel that takes a bit of effort to sharpen, but carbon steel blades work quickly. Of course a crowning final touch would be to strop your blade on a hearty pliable surface like a leather belt to set the edge.

I’ve heard that others have used the frosted edge of a car window, or shiny finished cement, but I find that cups have the right abrasion, consistent surface, and can be found quite easily. Just hold the cup by the handle with one hand for stability and with the other hand hold your blade at about a 20 degree slant for a double-sided edge, or at a 40 degree angle for a single single-sided edge.

After your next morning Joe, turn over your cup and give it a try. Just don’t scare the folks around you…

My latest adventure? Shaving with a Mora knife!!

Ken — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:59:20 +0000

I was recently given a Swedish Mora Knife – a prized knife by those involved in bushcraft. After noting that the blade was carbon steel, I knew that I had to use it to create fire by striking the back of it against flint. Yep! it works. But then I noticed that it is REALLY sharp, and I tested it by shaving some hair off of my arm… and thought, perhaps this might be sharp enough to shave a beard. So, I grew a short beard and proceeded to shave! I wished that my grandfather was alive to coach me on that, but I proceeded gingerly, using aloe vera as a shaving gel. I learned to find the sharpest regions on the edge, and adjust the angle of the blade to the direction of the hair growth. It was rough going at first, but I succeeding in finishing half of my beard, knowing that what works on one half would work on the other. But like Crocodile Dundee… a twin blade works much easier! The photo was captured from the video that I took to document the occasion