I heard recently somewhere that sharpening a Gerber Knife is difficult and could not be done well.
Well, after I heard that I had to give it a try.
I did sharpen my Gerber pocket knife and I got some very good results, here is the story of how I sharpened my knife.
I used a product called the Gatco sharpening system, although it is called a “system” it is still a hand sharpening method, the system helps you to hold the knife at the correct angle so that the blade is correct for the type of use it gets.
Here is what the holder looks like without the knife. See how the holes at the bottom direct the correct angle of the stone.
According to Gatco, here are the different angles that different blades should have.
1) Angle 11 degrees, Most narrow bevel, razor-sharp edge
Used for x-acto blades, woodcarving instruments and specialty tools. Requires frequent sharpening.
2) Angle 15 degrees, Superior sharpness, For filet, boning and other thin, specialty blades.
3) Angle 19 degrees, Ideal for kitchen cutlery.
4) Angle 22 degrees, A wider bevel, more durable edge, for pocket knives, folding knives, fixed-blade field knives and serrated knife blades.
5) Angle 25 degrees, Widest bevel; longest lasting edge. For all utility cutlery, linoleum and electricians knives.
I selected the 22 degree setting as I was working on sharpening a pocket knife.
The Gatco system uses a T shaped piece of metal with holes cut in the top of the “T” at the precise distances that create the angle needed when a stone is held apart from the base of the “T” where the knife blade is held in place with a clamp.
Basically what you do is clamp your knife to be sharpened to the bottom of the “T” with the blade out.
Here is a picture of the blade in the clamp.
Then you start with the course stone, there are three stones in the kit that I have, some come with five stones.
The stone is fixed to a metal rod that inserts in the correct hole in the top of the “T”.
You then place a thin coat of honing oil on the stone, hold the system with the knife in the palm of your hand and the stone on the top, you then push the stone against the edge of the knife, the rod keeping the angle just like you wanted.
Count the number of times you push the stone against the edge make 8 to 10 complete passes with the stone against the edge.
You do one side and then you turn the knife over and do the other side the same way, 8 to 10 times.
Once this is done you change to the medium blade and do the same thing again, first on one side and then the other.
Don’t forget the thin coat of honing oil.
Once this is done you do it again with the fine stone, this is the final pass and puts a really nice edge on the blade, count the 8 to 10 passes on one side and then the other.
Here is a picture showing how you hold the whole thing.
I obtained a really nice edge, one that has performed very well in cutting ropes and opening boxes for me, the edge had started to show some signs of dullness prior to the sharpening but now it is like new again.
So, don’t let it be said that you can not sharpen your Gerber knife, you can, and I did.
And, if you want, purchase the Gatco system, I don’t think it was very expensive and it is easy to use.
Thanks for reading this.
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