Mini-infidel sharpening question

[ArmaliteKnight]

Hi guys,
Quite some time ago when autos became legal in Indiana I had bought a Benchmade mini infidel. Out of the box it was shaving sharp and the action was (is) fantastic and like a fool I used it for utility such as cutting tape and rope and cardboard, etc.

Since then I have sharpened it, but did a terrible job and really need it professionally done as I can't seem to bring it back to its former glory myself. I'm not LEO or Military so Benchmade won't sharpen it per policy.

Anybody have any good suggestions on who I could contact and send it off to someone to sharpen it up?

[farnorthdan]

I sharpen all my knives so don't have any first hand advise but have heard numerous times that RazorEdgeKnives does good work, I'm sure others will jump in with some other suggestions too.

http://www.razoredgeknives.com/

[demoncase]

Double edged blades are always a pig (in my experience) because you've got twice as much work to do.

EDIT: A google search informed me the Mini Infidel is D2. Lots of folks struggle with D2 it seems, so don't feel alone.
The recommendation is to start with diamond stones on a lot of forums (Though equal numbers of folks saying "Just do it the way you sharpen everything else- take your time, you nurk"- paraphrasing here. )

That said: I'd be interested in how you've gone about sharpening?- Method and materials.
Have you tried a Sharpmaker, and following the instructions provided to the absolute letter?

[ArmaliteKnight]

Double edged blades are always a pig (in my experience) because you've got twice as much work to do.

EDIT: A google search informed me the Mini Infidel is D2. Lots of folks struggle with D2 it seems, so don't feel alone.
The recommendation is to start with diamond stones on a lot of forums (Though equal numbers of folks saying "Just do it the way you sharpen everything else- take your time, you nurk"- paraphrasing here. )

That said: I'd be interested in how you've gone about sharpening?- Method and materials.
Have you tried a Sharpmaker, and following the instructions provided to the absolute letter?

Yes, the D2 has been a struggle
Yes, the double edged blade has me in a rut

I'm glad I'm not alone with this difficulty though! I have tried with minimal success to use my sharpmaker, although I only have the course brown and fine white stones it comes with. I made this more difficult on myself by improper sharpening on the reverse side of the grind some time ago before researching to actually know what I'm doing. I feel like even though I'm following the guidelines noted in the manual for my Sharpmaker, I still wind up frustrated with the work I put in to it.

[demoncase]

Double edged blades are always a pig (in my experience) because you've got twice as much work to do.

EDIT: A google search informed me the Mini Infidel is D2. Lots of folks struggle with D2 it seems, so don't feel alone.
The recommendation is to start with diamond stones on a lot of forums (Though equal numbers of folks saying "Just do it the way you sharpen everything else- take your time, you nurk"- paraphrasing here. )

That said: I'd be interested in how you've gone about sharpening?- Method and materials.
Have you tried a Sharpmaker, and following the instructions provided to the absolute letter?

Yes, the D2 has been a struggle
Yes, the double edged blade has me in a rut

I'm glad I'm not alone with this difficulty though! I have tried with minimal success to use my sharpmaker, although I only have the course brown and fine white stones it comes with. I made this more difficult on myself by improper sharpening on the reverse side of the grind some time ago before researching to actually know what I'm doing. I feel like even though I'm following the guidelines noted in the manual for my Sharpmaker, I still wind up frustrated with the work I put in to it.

I think it's going to be a case of slow-n-steady wins the race.

I'd go with the full 'reprofile' approach as detailed in the manual (though watch the DVD too!) and take it really steady.
Clear a Saturday morning.
Put some music on (Classical can be quite relaxing)
Take the phone off the hook.
Make a good sized coffee.
Do one edge.
Take regular breaks every 15 minutes or so.
Sharpie the edge to make sure your hitting the apex.
Check every 10 passes with a magnifying glass or loupe that things are improving
Get one edge sorted- and you'll feel you've achieved something.
Don't think of it as wasting time- think of it as investing time in the edge.

Then make the choice to set aside the other edge for another day or carry on.

Then- when you do finally get yourself to a sharp, consistent, edge- remind yourself to do a light touch up regularly rather than having to go through this mess again