Advice on sharpeners please

M

MicMurry

Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
2,111
I am relatively new knife owner so I have really never really sharpened a knife. So I need a sharpener that is easy to use, yet will do a good job. I am considering the Sharpmaker and would like some advice from you "expert" sharpeners out there.

Please send your wisdom.
 
Trust me, you'll hear a lot of people swearing by the spydie sharpmaker.
I don't have one (yet) I have the Gatco and a benchstone. I'm not very good with the freehand sharpening. The Gatco is fine until it hits the heavy curves.
 
Originally posted by calyth
Trust me, you'll hear a lot of people swearing by the spydie sharpmaker.
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Yup, and I'm one of them. I put off getting a Sharpmaker for a long time, and now that I have one I don't know how the hell I did without it. I would just buy new knives when the old ones got dull, so now I just have a helluva lot of razor sharp ones. I'm an idiot when it comes to sharpening, but even I couldn't screw this one up. If you run a search on "sharpmaker" you'll find an endless sea of threads recommending it.

-Z
 
Sharpmaker...Sharpmaker...Shaprmaker.....

But seriously, I've been sharpening freehand for years (like 25) and I still think I can do a better job that way if I'm really serious about a super sharp edge, but for less obsessive users or people who just want a damn sharp knife with minimal fuss, look at the Spyderco Sharpmaker 204. Should run you about $60.00 unless you add the new Diamond rods (like I just did). Then it's more but I can't say how much as I bartered for my diamond rods.

jmx

PS It'll sharpen almost anything but Cold Steel's tiny serrations, for that the only solution seems to be Lansky's ceramic device.
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
I would have beaten Zenghost in this reccomendation.
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Sorry dude...75 words per minute (give or take...70)...:D

Sharpmaker...Sharpmaker...Sharpmaker...
 
Definitely the 204 Sharpmaker...I also a use a cheap V rod sharpener by Smith's and find that that works pretty well too.
 
Now that I look at past posts I see the answer to my question. OH well, I quess the real question should have been. Where is the best place to but one and are the diamond rods necessary?

Thanks for your help.
 
Originally posted by MicMurry
Now that I look at past posts I see the answer to my question. OH well, I quess the real question should have been. Where is the best place to but one and are the diamond rods necessary?
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The diamond rods aren't necessary if you're just doing touch ups on a "not quite as dull as a butter knife, knife." With some of the tougher steels (like the steel on my Boa--CPM440V) it can really wear on your patience if you don't have the diamond rods. Any re-profiling will also require it or a helluva lot of time and patience. As for where to buy it...

I've dealt with all of these guys and would deal with them again anytime. You can choose the best deal for yourself--they're all around the same pricewise, but newgraham has the best price on the diamond rods.

http://www.newgraham.com/spyderco.htm
http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/spyderco-sharpmakers.html
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?SP204MF
http://www.knifeoutlet.com/shop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=SHSPY204
 
In the beginning of my knife obsession, I couldn't sharpen anything. :(

I tried just about everything, until I bought my Sharpmaker back in February. Everything changed after that. I now achieve shaving sharpness on my blades everytime! I highly recommend this system, you won't be disappointed!!

P.S.-The 204 comes with a fully instructional video and book, so there is no way of not being able to learn this system. ;)
 
MicMurry,

I snooped into your Profile. I do some wood working as well.

When I was in college, I couldn't afford anything I wanted - only the things I didn't want.;)

A Sharpmaker is a good place to learn things like holding a constant edge-angle, straightening steel, and even working up a sweat trying to reprofile and edge.

However, if I was on a shoestring budget, I'd get a simple 2-sided waterstone set (or oilstone if you have to) and teach yourself to sharpen the old-fashioned way. These can be had for $5.

If you don't like to waste time sharpening, and can afford it, get the Sharpmaker - it's obviously highly recommended by everyone else.
 
MicMurry,
...are the diamond rods necessary?
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Yes, indeed! Please look into basis. Sharpmaker is very useful and easy to use device but its preset angle can match your particular knife’s sharpening angle or can do not match it. If this last occurs (greatly probably) you will have to reprofile your edge to let it match Sharpmaker angles for subsequent sharpening sessions. Just once but without diamond rods in particularly unlucky situation (hard and wear resistant steel in combination with pretty obtuse factory edge) this could last a lot of hours.

So definitely get diamond rods! If you should skip something available for Sharpmaker optionally – skip ultra fine rods. They are very nice toy but not necessary for real life knife sharpening.
 
I have an old style sharpmaker (same stones and angles, but no video, etc.) that has been used about 5 times. I prefer free hand sharpening. If someone wants it let me know.
 
Originally posted by John Frankl
I have an old style sharpmaker (same stones and angles, but no video, etc.) that has been used about 5 times. I prefer free hand sharpening. If someone wants it let me know.
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It might just be my imagination, but I had an old Sharpmaker when they first came out but I sold it because it just wasn't up to par. I bought the new one because everyone kept raving about it so I thought I'd give it another shot. It seems to me that the newer one (with the two sets of angles) actually puts a better edge on it than I could get with the old one. Anyone else have this experience?

-Z
 
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