A New Setup for $250 or Less...

[zatch]

And a $100 Cabelas gift card added to the mix. To be fair, I'd also love to purchase a Spyderco PM2 but that's only if I can find an inexpensive way to achieve what I want

I want to expand my sharpening setup (or lack there of). I've mostly used sandpaper with various backings - I started with a mousepad and quickly moved to leather. Lately, I've been using firmer backings more and have really liked the results I've been getting. I'm now leaning towards stones but I'd like to have a guide of some sort as I don't quite trust myself freehanding yet. I also have a 1x30 belt sander with various belts that I've used on occasion but I mostly stick to larger items for that.

I was just gifted a Spyderco GB 2 and an Ontario Rat 1. The M4 has prompted me to start looking for other sharpening materials as I don't know if sandpaper is going to cut it. I've owned a Edge Pro in the past and, for some stupid reason, got rid of it. I'd love one of those, or a wicked edge, but it looks like I'd only get a base model to start off with. After reading a bunch of threads, here's what I'm looking at.

- Sharpmaker with various upgrades. I'd probably add the extra rods and I've seen threads with DMT stones used in conjunction with the rods. The only downside I see is the pre-set angles but it looks like there are ways around that depending on how you hold the knife.

- DMT Aligner Kit. The diamonds would cut through just about anything. Looks like I'd be able to reprofile and refine my edges especially if I picked up some diamond paste and the extra stones.

- DMT Aligner with benchstones. I could pick up the aligner, a couple diamond benchstones, and some diamond paste. It would also allow me to practice freehanding on benchstones which is appealing to me.

- Edge Pro or Wicked Edge - The WE is probably out of my budget. I liked the Edge Pro when I had it but I'd only be able to get the base model to start off with.

With exception to the latter option, these seem to be in the $100 to $150 range which would allow some room for another pocket knife. I've seen some simpler setups for under the 100 price range like a combination stone and strop - I'm open to that too so long as the M4 (and any future steel) won't give me any trouble. I've read a ton of threads about various diamond and non-diamond stones as well as diamond films - I'm honestly pretty lost in the array of available options. I'm very open to other options as these are just a couple I started looking at. Unfortunately, the PM 2 is a bit high in price at Cabela's and they don't carry the sharpening equipment I'm looking at. I'm fine with spending the full $250 (and/or gift card) to get a good setup as well.

Am I overthinking the M4 on sandpaper?

In sum, I'm looking for a guided setup if possible with the ability to re-profile in the given price range. Super polished edges aren't particularly important but the option to do so would be cool. I don't care if it's an all in one setup or a mix-and-match of stones, guides, etc.

Any suggestions? What would you do with $250 and a Cabela's gift card?

 

[Jason B.]

I would go the DMT benchstones and Aligner route, it works very well.

When you get into steels with high alloy content you will be happy you bought diamond stones.

 

[cbwx34]

Just posted this in another thread...

WorkSharp Guided Sharpening System

... if they sell it at Cabela's, your gift card should pretty much cover it. (You can use the guides to get you started... freehand when you're comfortable).

 

[keljian]

Sharpmaker+ diamond rods + UF rods should cover just about anything you need.

 

[Mo2]

edge pro, KME are my vote, but the others above have good suggestions too.

i have stones, sand paper on granite, worksharp ken onion, and a KME... the KME is the best of the bunch. i will probably get an edge pro eventually because i think it has a lot of features i like over the KME.
the ken onion worksharp only does convex edges and has an assortment of cons i dont like, its fast and puts a convex edge on every blade you sharpen on it, i dont want convex edges on them all tho.
stones are a pita, but with diamond and ceramic it goes quicker... tho with the KME i get the exact angles i want.

 

[zatch]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I would go the DMT benchstones and Aligner route, it works very well.

When you get into steels with high alloy content you will be happy you bought diamond stones.

That's the method I'm leaning towards purely because I get the best of both the guided and freehand options.

Just posted this in another thread...

WorkSharp Guided Sharpening System

... if they sell it at Cabela's, your gift card should pretty much cover it. (You can use the guides to get you started... freehand when you're comfortable).

I've saw that system when I was searching but didn't read much about it. It's well within my price range and seems to cover what I would want. I'm going to look into this one a bit more.

Sharpmaker+ diamond rods + UF rods should cover just about anything you need.

I'm guessing I'll be picking one of those up in the future regardless of what I go with. Makes it easy to do touch-ups.

edge pro, KME are my vote, but the others above have good suggestions too.

i have stones, sand paper on granite, worksharp ken onion, and a KME... the KME is the best of the bunch. i will probably get an edge pro eventually because i think it has a lot of features i like over the KME.
the ken onion worksharp only does convex edges and has an assortment of cons i dont like, its fast and puts a convex edge on every blade you sharpen on it, i dont want convex edges on them all tho.
stones are a pita, but with diamond and ceramic it goes quicker... tho with the KME i get the exact angles i want.

I read much about that system too and I wouldn't doubt, like the EP or WE, that it would cover everything. I wish Cabelas had a better price on a few Spyderco's I'm looking at - that would make purchasing one of those three systems no-brainer.

 

[D-der]

My wife gave me a KME system for Christmas...
at least for me, a consistent new level of sharpness with a good looking edge
is easy enough to achieve.
So far I'm quite pleased with the KME.

 

[bonzodog]

For the money,Dmt are a good bet

 

[bflying]

I'm a little late to the party, so the op may have already landed on something. But my vote is for the KME also, along with a Sharpmaker for down the road touch ups. The four diamond stones that come with the KME can do pretty much any steel I've asked of it. Once that perfect and even edge has been put on a knife, the Sharpmaker can keep it sharp for far longer than I would have ever imagined. The perfect combination IMO. I do also keep something small handy, like the little Spyderco Double Stuff Pocket Stone.



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Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)

 

[banksy]

KME :thumbup:

 

[bodog]

For starting off I wouldn't suggest a sharpmaker, a dmt, or any kind of benchstone. I'd suggest a Ruixin pro with th single suction cup for around $35 and a couple of 1" x1" neodymium magnets around N50. I'd use the stones that came with it.

I'd get proficient with that setup and then consider other options. Namely, a couple of decent bench stones because going that route, once understanding of what you're doing, is quicker and easier. I wouldn't consider anything like and edge pro or wicked edge at this point. Maybe a sharpmaker to accompany the Ruixin Pro because they both have their strengths and weaknesses. One is quick for touchups. The other is faster for setting bevels. And once those are understood, a good bench stone is the quickest and easiest. But that could honestly be a year or more from now.

 

[zatch]

My wife gave me a KME system for Christmas...
at least for me, a consistent new level of sharpness with a good looking edge
is easy enough to achieve.
So far I'm quite pleased with the KME.

Nice gift!

I'm a little late to the party, so the op may have already landed on something. But my vote is for the KME also, along with a Sharpmaker for down the road touch ups. The four diamond stones that come with the KME can do pretty much any steel I've asked of it. Once that perfect and even edge has been put on a knife, the Sharpmaker can keep it sharp for far longer than I would have ever imagined. The perfect combination IMO. I do also keep something small handy, like the little Spyderco Double Stuff Pocket Stone.

The KME system seems to be well worth the money from what I have been reading about it. If I can't figure out freehanded or guided on a set of bench stones, the KME or something similar will happen. The Spyderco pocket stone looks perfect for trips - I might grab one of those.

For starting off I wouldn't suggest a sharpmaker, a dmt, or any kind of benchstone. I'd suggest a Ruixin pro with th single suction cup for around $35 and a couple of 1" x1" neodymium magnets around N50. I'd use the stones that came with it.

I'd get proficient with that setup and then consider other options. Namely, a couple of decent bench stones because going that route, once understanding of what you're doing, is quicker and easier. I wouldn't consider anything like and edge pro or wicked edge at this point. Maybe a sharpmaker to accompany the Ruixin Pro because they both have their strengths and weaknesses. One is quick for touchups. The other is faster for setting bevels. And once those are understood, a good bench stone is the quickest and easiest. But that could honestly be a year or more from now.

I did some more research and ended up buying a set of DMT Dia-sharps, the aligner, and a set of diamond paste. I'm late to the diamond/CBN party and am excited to see how this will all work. I figure it's going to take quite a bit of practice which is fine by me.

The sand paper over a hard/soft backing has taught me a lot about pressure and burrs. I've made plenty of mistakes with leaving a wire edge on and seeing an edge fail quickly during use. I was having problems early on with rounded edges after using a mouse pad as a backing (which lead me to thin leather and eventually wood). Being able to get a burr free edge was a big moment for me.

I'm assuming angle control will be the next thing to focus on by using stones and I'm hoping that using the aligner will help train my hands.

I just looked into the Ruixin model as I haven't heard of that one. Pretty inexpensive for what you get. I'm sure I'll ended up with one of those guided systems one way or another. I regret getting rid of an edge pro a while back...

 

[deltaboy]

Keep us updated on how it goes.

 

[zatch]

Keep us updated on how it goes.

I will. I've been playing around a bit with some beater knives and I'm really digging the new setup. I plan on posting some pictures of the setup and hopefully a couple of knives.

The diamond stones cut fast and the aligner works well - well enough to show some flaws in the way I was sharpening before. Mostly angle differences between the tip, belly, and heel. I have yet to reprofile anything. I've used a sharpie to match the original angle and gone from there.

I also like the fact that the setup is small enough to be portable. I'll be posting some more on it in the near future.