Are pull-through sharpeners that bad?

[fireincairo]

I haven't seen one thread recommending these types of sharpeners. Are they really that bad for putting an edge on a knife? Are the other options really that much better?

I found a SOG pull-through sharpener for cheap, is it crap?

[xtal]

Would you classify the Spyderco Sharpmaker as "pull-through"?

[Noctis3880]

They're good for touchups and nothing else. The ceramic ones would be my recommendation, while the carbide ones will chew up your blade.

I personally don't find any use for them, as I've never managed to dull my edge that significantly in a single day of use.

[Rat Finkenstein]

Are pull-through sharpeners that bad?

yes. . . Unless the intent is to mangle your edge, then they are wonderful.

[jill jackson]

Would you classify the Spyderco Sharpmaker as "pull-through"?

No, it's a sharpener you use by coming down on the rods, you don't merely pull it through straight at all.
This is a "pull through" any of the rod in block sharpeners aren't.

[thegeek574]

yes. they are built to be idiot proof. it is really simple, but it takes a ton of metal off. probably good for reprofiling.

[dsmegst]

yes. they are built to be idiot proof. it is really simple, but it takes a ton of metal off. probably good for reprofiling.

Personally, I wouldn't even go that far. The angles on these sharpeners are so obtuse, you'd be doing yourself a disservice.

An emergency field sharpener is about all they're good for but there are much better options for field sharpening.

[Rat Finkenstein]

yes. they are built to be idiot proof. it is really simple, but it takes a ton of metal off. probably good for reprofiling.

Reprofiling is usually done at a thinner angle, the pull throughs tear tons of metal off the edge at a blunt angle.

[jill jackson]

You see a lot of people using the pull through in kitchens. Where the knife wouldn't get any sharpening unless it was something simple and quick to use. I haven't seen one yet that would give a satisfactory edge, so I think they are nearly useless.

[guitarhead1]

I use them for my kitchen knives. I use the Chef's Choice Commercial to get my primary edge, and then use a pull thru whenever it starts to dull. This system works very well for me.

[trimcut123]

Those sharpeners are great at ruining blades. Typically what some of my friends use, followed by me fixing it. I would recommend a sharp maker or something similar. You have more angle options and alot more control over the results.
Matt

[ericb445]

Yes
I only use them from time to time on my cheap Friends knives that are soooo screwed up they give to me to fix, they are thrilled with the so-so results that I give them. I would not use them on my personal blades, but I know how to take care of my tools.

[Rat Finkenstein]

I use them for my kitchen knives. I use the Chef's Choice Commercial to get my primary edge, and then use a pull thru whenever it starts to dull. This system works very well for me.

Those electric "sharpeners" are even worse than the carbide notch type.

[knifenut1013]

They are great if this is how you like your edge.

[fireincairo]

They are great if this is how you like your edge.

OUCH! I think this picture pretty much sums up the answer. Thanks, everyone.

[ajbuckelew]

Ive found that the Benchmade sharpeners aren't too too bad, I only use it for very bad edges and I find that I can do better work with tips on my sharpmaker after I use the pull through, I don't have a nice enough camera to capture the edge it puts but yes it does take off a lot of metal.

[singularity35]

I hate carbide pull through sharpeners with a deep and abiding hatred for what they do to an edge.