The Block Sharpener

[Oh Shoot]

Paul Block himself was at last gun show here, demonstrating and selling these. I bought a package of two for $20. He sells them for more on line, though, although looks like you can get three for $30 or something.

Gotta say, I'm really impressed with these babies. I put a decent edge on a couple of old Pakastani blades that I could never get more than thin butter knife sharp, and on better blades, it really does a very nice job, quickly. Sharpened three Cold Steel knives I use in the kitchen back to at least factory edge; also, had dulled my Buck 110 cutting a sizable limb off tree down at mom's during the storms in 'Nooga area, and it put factory edge back on it in 6 or 8 strokes.

Unlike the little x crossed carbide jobbies like Smith makes, this really doesn't "rip" a new edge and leave the tiny irregular pattern, matter of fact doesn't re-profile whatever you start with at all. Probably still do somewhat better with knowledgeable stone work, or a more idiot-proof system like Spyderco Sharpmaker, but it's a better edge on most knives I've tried than I've been able to do short of that. All in 10 strokes or less. Strop on a piece of leather to finish.

One thing he doesn't seem to mention in ads, or during the live demo at show, the twofer package I got had different colored rods on them. I asked and he said the more bronzy looking one was the model his dad used to make is more aggressive, while the silver one is less so. At any rate, they both work quite well. I tried two serrated blades, and it actually did quite a nice job on those also, even though it can't really get exactly between the grooves vertically all the way up, it sure made the edges sharp. Again, all this without profiling or hardly taking away any metal visibly, there's really not any filings left, except a faint trace of powdered material.

Anyway, highly recommended for a quickie and effective small sharpener, beats all other of same category I've tried hands down. My take is that if it won't spiff up the blade, it's probably some totally inferior steel that nothing could do much with.

The Block Sharpener - home

- OS

Edited May 20, 2011 by OhShoot

[MacGyver]

So, are those fingers holding the rod a little flexible to keep from profiling?

[Oh Shoot]

So, are those fingers holding the rod a little flexible to keep from profiling?

Yeah, quite flexible. They give a lot. You can feel a really dull knife getting smoother, so you reduce pressure for a few strokes to finish it off.

- OS

[MacGyver]

Interesting. I'll have to pick one up. Might be handy to throw in the kit.

[Oh Shoot]

Interesting. I'll have to pick one up. Might be handy to throw in the kit.

Ya might email him and see if he's going to any gun shows in middle tn. The two for $20, no tax, was a steal.

- OS

[MacGyver]

I was planning on going to the show at the fairgrounds this weekend to pick up some reloading supplies anyway. I'll look for him.

[peejman]

Interesting. The "Club Special" on the web site is buy 6, get 6 free.... 12 sharpeners for $70 (+ shipping, I assume). That's about $6 each. I'm sitting here thinking about how many of these I could give as gifts to justify it...

[Troutburger]

I bought one of those a few years ago at a gunshow. Had problems with it putting nicks in the blade. Maybe it was just me, but a definite no go on my experience.

[tnhawk]

I tried several sharpeners before getting before getting a Lansky.