Sharpening for beginners

[underground]

Hi, apologies first if this topic is already covered, but I did a search here and on britishblades and was a bit overwhelmed....

Basically I am new to all this, none of my penkives have ever been sharpened, and having invested in a 'proper' knife with which to familiarise myself with some basic bushcraft techniques, I realised I actually know jack about how to sharpen an edge, or the terms used, equipment types, and techniques...

So, can any of you wise folk of the woods direct me to a suitable source of the info? Either manuals, websites or forum posts would be much appreciated, unless someone fancies writing a step by step tutorial ;) (that would make a useful sticky though eh? :D )

Thanks peeps....

[innocent bystander]

What are you planning to sharpen...??

[familne]

Some good info on waterstones here (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1803&page=1&pp=15)

[underground]

thanks familne, I'll give that a look.

Innocent bystander: sorry, should have mentioned that! I have a little Frost Mora knife at present, which I'd like to learn to sharpen, and also to get the back of the blade sorted for striking a steel.

I also have a very old Sheffield steel pruning knife which my Grandad used on his allotment, so I'd like to get it sharp and shiny again if possible...

[innocent bystander]

Have you read through these yet ?

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=6109&highlight=mora

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=6020&highlight=mora

Some good stuff in there...

Oh and this one :
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=4744&highlight=mora

[Andy]

rather then write my own article I thought I'd direct you to this one
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=91

[Kirruth]

I'd definitely recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker (available from Heinnie Haynes and all good retailers :) ). I use it for my kitchen knives and field knives and it works very well.

[ScottC]

Hi,
A good place to start is with a combination waterstone. These are great for learning to sharpen and it's what I used when I first began. Now I use a gransfors puck for my knife and axe :)

Here we are: http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=22468&recno=9
I'd reccomend the combination 1000/6000 grit :).
Now, if you have the book "bushcraft" or "essential bushcraft" by Ray Mears which is well worth getting if you dont, it explains how to sharpen a knife with a waterstone.

Hope this helps,
Scott.