Sharpening the Honey Badger knife

Sharpening the Honey Badger knife

Sharpening the Honey Badger Knife is no different to any other knife sharpening. In fact, because the steel used for the blade is not one of the hard super steels, sharpening the honey badger knife is relatively easy with even the most basic of knife sharpening stones.

There are many different methods of knife sharpening and as many opinions as to what works best. What’s most important is to find a method that works for you such that you don’t find it a hassle and that your knives will always be sharp.

There are 3 major categories of knife sharpeners.

Manual – Freehand using an oil or water stone
System – a set of stones held in a base or where the knife is held in a bracket eg. the Spyderco Sharpmaker , Lansky or one of the newer systems that work in a similar fashion.
Electric – A powered system using belts such as the Worksharp or for the more experienced, a belt sander.

As a beginner it’s more important to understand how to get a sharp edge and refine your technique than getting too hung up over which method you are going to use.

What’s inside the Honey Badger Flipper?

There is one aspect that is common regardless of what method you choose and that needs to be understood before proceeding. It’s to do with creating a burr.

Joe Talmadge is an experienced collector and amateur knife maker who has had countless conversations with custom makers and who has also read countless articles on steels. We quote him here:-

“You grind one edge along the stone edge-first until a burr (aka “wire”) is formed on the other side of the edge. You can feel the burr with your thumb, on the side of the edge opposite the stone. The presence of the burr means that the steel is thin enough at the top that it is folding over slightly, because the bevel you’ve just ground has reached the edge tip. If you stop before the burr is formed, then you have not ground all the way to the edge tip, and your knife will not be as sharp as it should be. The forming of the burr is critically important — it is the only way to know for sure that you have sharpened far enough on that side. Once the burr is formed on one side, turn the knife over and repeat the process”

For this who are interested, Joe has an excellent FAQ which goes into far more detail than will be covered here.

Let’s now talk more about sharpening the Honey Badger knife.

Those of you who already own one will know that it comes out of the box already really sharp. However, with use, it will start to dull and there is nothing worse than a dull blade!

I took my Honey Badger flipper which was already sharp and dulled the edge by dragging it across a sharpening stone at 90 degrees (ouch, that hurt). The result was that it would not even begin to cut paper which to me is always a good indication of basic sharpness.

Honey Badger Flipper

I chose to use my Spyderco Sharpmaker to put an edge back on the knife. I set the stones at the 30 degree angle and started to sharpen just the one side using the edge of the stones until a burr was created as mentioned above. This took about 30 to 40 strokes. I then sharpened the other side continually checking the edge on my thumb nail until it started to catch rather than sliding off. At this point it would start to cut newsprint paper.

Honey badger flipper

I then rotated the stones to use the flat sides to refine the edge further. After this, it really started cutting the paper easily to the extent that you could get a cut started and then just push rather than saw with the knife and it would continue to cut the paper.

Honey badger flipper

For good measure, I then gave the knife one or two light strops on a home made leather strop coated with green stropping compound just to really get the edge further refined. There are many YouTube videos about how to make your own strop and it really is quite easy. If however, you prefer to buy one, this is the one that I modelled my homemade one on.

Honey badger flipper

Once the knife is at this level of sharpness all that’s required is a couple of strops every now and again depending on usage to maintain the edge. If you are going to be banging the edge down onto a plate as you cut through that apple then that will harm the edge more that what the strop can correct and you would then need to go back to the stones for one or two passes.

Honey badger Flipper

So as you can see there is not much to sharpening the Honey Badger knife. Don’t let your knife get too dull between sharpenings and you will find that touching it up to keep it sharp will be very easy.

 

4.9
Based on 1,344 Reviews
google

I have had a Larger Honey Badger Drop Point Flipper pocket knife for several years as my everyday carry knife. It sharpens easily, holds an edge and has worked flawlessly. Until I accidentally left it in my pants and washed it. The agitation flung it around in my washer & I didn’t hear it until late in the cycle. Inside the washer, my knife was open and after retrieving it, it wouldn’t close. The blade was bent and upon further review, I found the blade was broken up near the hole through the blade. I knew Honey Badger sold parts to their knives so I thought since it was my fault, I’d just order another blade. However, I couldn’t find any blades for sale. So I sent an email to their customer service and got a reply that day. I explained what I’d done and asked if I could buy a blade since this was my abuse (that I figured wouldn’t be covered by their warranty). They asked me to send them pictures to determine the specific knife I had and so I did. To my surprise, I got an email back that day saying they were sending me a new knife! I received it and couldn’t be more pleased. I don’t know if I’m more impressed with their knives or with their customer service but I would highly recommend Honey Badger knives!

D Giles
google

Awesome!!

Jeremiah Brendsel
google

Have yet to use or own but seen these and wanting to see what the buzz is about

Brian Klose
google

Quality products. Either way im definitely buys one!!

Angel Bellor-Gardner
google

Quality knifes

Anthony Jade
google

Have a small drop point tan. Very smooth action, sharp blade. Well made.

Eric Steen
google

The Honey Badger Knife is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly, dependable everyday carry (EDC) knife

patch348
google

well built sharp out of the box

Al Alvino
google

I own 2 of these knives and love them

George Williams
google

Best durability I've had out of local made knife

Cameryne Potgieter
google

Great knives that are cost effective and get the job done! Nice assortment of blades & handle colors!

Gabriel D.
google

Очень удобный маленький,легкий нож на карман.

Дмитрий Ш
google

Honey badger might just be the best every day working knife on the SA market. I've had my Honey Badger for 4 years now and I use and abuse it on my daily farm routines, and man this knife has surprised me with it's durability. I would recommend any one get themselves a Honey badger, whether it's for hunting fishing or just normal farm work. You won't regret buying the Badger.

Marcel Du Toit
google

I needed a knife that was competitively priced and easier for me to use one handed. I ended up buying the Honey Badger Wharncleaver Knife in the Large size. What a joy this knife is to use and to look at. It is a good solid knife that deploys easily but stays securely shut while I’m my pocket. It uses only ball bearings on the pivot, no spring assist, but the ball bearings are so smooth that it opens like a a spring assisted knife. It has a generous flipper which really helps me unlike other deployment types. This knife has good solid build, good fit and finish and a great price. It had replaced my Benchmade as my every day carry and I will most likely by another.

Bill Dodge
google

I just ordered a med drop blade in tan. Very excited

Kenneth Wilken Sr
google

Got my first Honey Badger thru Blade HQ about a month ago which I ordered the medium leaf blade shape with black handles and WOW!!! I freaking love this knife so much I ordered 2 more. Another medium clip point blade w/ blue handles and a large tanto blade w/od green handles. I'm very impressed with this knife and just found out that I can customize one on their website!!! 🤯 OMGosh 🤯. If you're into flipper knives you should check out a Honey Badger, I promise you won't be disappointed.

scott stuart
google

Ease of use and convenient size are top reasons to get one

O P Holder
google

Amazing knives, outstanding valeu for the price

David Rodriguez
google

I received a honey badger as a gift from my brother and it replaced my old EDC instantly. The look, feel, and utility of the blade is unmatched

Colton McCullough
google

Very high quality knives!

Scott Kefalas