Another Sharpening system recommendation thread :)

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DaCaDad

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Jun 8, 2015
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Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum. Hi :) . And I just made my first purchase of a few folding knives from the Sellers section here. They are not even here yet lol. But when they do get here I'm sure Ill be interested in keeping them sharp.

Im looking for some guidance. I'd like to know your opinions on a decent mid level setup. Something to get me started and something that can possibly be expanded on in the future. I'd like to start in the $75 or less range.

For example: DMT diamond Course/Fine benchstone and a basic strop with some type of 1 micron diamond compound. Then expand on the DMT setup a grow into it?

Or would there be a better place to start?

Thanks for your help.
 
I started 35 years ago with a Lansky set and now I have just about any sharpening system available like: Wicked Edge, Tormek T7, KME, Work Sharp original and Ken Onion Edition, DMT Aligner, Edge Pro, various bench stones and a few others. The most import reason for this is that I was able to buy them and that I wanted to try them for myself and like a lot of people on this forum, I have an addiction :)

Most of these systems are perfect for one or two types of knives but can not handle or are not ideal for other types. Funny enough, the one that I use most is still the Lansky which with the old type clamp with the notch for smaller knives, is perfect for my Victorinox and traditional style pocket knives. The other ones that I use a lot are the Wicked Edge for my larger kitchen knives and the KME.

I can get good results with freehand sharpening on the bench stones and it is a nice and useful competence to have but a guided system will always give better, more consistent and repeatable results.

Should you choose to take the route of a guided system than I would recommend the KME, Smith's Diamond Precision Knife Sharpening System or Eze-lap Diamond Knife Sharpening Kit. The KME is by far the best and most versatile system of these three but also the most expensive. The Smith's and Eze-lap are nearly identical and both are good starter systems with a good clamp.

I would love to recommend the Lansky system and still do if you can find one with the old clamp but the new clamp sucks.
The Gatco and DMT Aligner clamps are also far from perfect so I would not recommend these.

A lot of people will probably also recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker and maybe it's me but of all the systems I have and have tried, this is one that I absolutely don't like and have sold. In my opinion it is just a more or less guided steeling rod and only useful to straiten an already sharp edge or set/maintain a micro bevel.

Whichever system you choose, be aware that all of them take practice to achieve the best results and make sure that you understand the basic principle of raising a burr and hitting the apex.
 
There is a lot of ways to go about sharpening, pick one that interests you and master it. If you buy a lot of sharpening systems but don't invest the time to master it or don't try to gain the knowledge of what you are doing you won't get the results you desire. Just keep in mind all sharpening setups have their pro's and con's.

Take a look at the sharpmaker, wicked edge, edgepro, gatco, lanskys, lanskys turnbox, worksharp, free hand sharpening. And tell us what interests you, and what steels you are sharpening and we try to go from there and set you on the right path.
 
I am pretty much in agreement with fvdk's post above, esp. regarding the Spyderco Sharpmaker. A lot of people like it, but it is really only good at touchups, not real sharpening.

I think the Edge Pro Apex is the way to go. If it's not in your budget, I'd look at the KME. If it's too much, the DMT Aligner would be my choice.

Good sharpening,
Dave
 
This is my first post, and rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd post my own question here. Thanks, DaCaDad, for letting me jump in :)

I got get by the blade bug a couple of weeks ago and have put together a few entry-level blades in that time. Most are AUS-8 or 8Cr13MoV, but today I bought my first quality steel blade - a Spydie Sage 1 (S30V). And while the knife is quality, the factory edge wasn't the sharpest. So I'd like to do some sharpening and I'd love a recommendation for which technique or system I should used based on my specific situation. Here it is:

Most of my knives are EDC. 3" - 3.5" I plan to get a PM2 in the not too distant future (also S30V). I also own a couple of Zwilling Twin Four Star II kitchen knives (they don't seem to advertise what kind of steel they use, only that it's a high-carbon stainless). With the exception of the kitchen ones, my knives will usually see limited action around the house. So I can't imagine needing a full sharpening session more than once every 3 months for the time being. 6 months is probably more likely.

And while I love the idea of getting waterstones and doing this the traditional way, I have a feeling that even if I practice for days, I'm going to have to relearn everything 3 - 6 months down the line. Am I right about this? Should I just get a guided system? And if so, is there a system that works better for Spydies (I don't love the prospects of the Sharpmaker)?

Thanks for the help!
JW

I'm reposting this to it's own thread. Too much guilt for hijacking! (jk)
 
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Thank you everyone for the info. And no worries JWheel glad you asked all that in here :). I'm all over the place with information and what I want to do. lol

I want everything and my mind changes from one minute to the next. Heck, last night I was even talking myself into something like a forum members $1800 auto belt setup lol. Realized late LATE last night to slow down and get a little more logical.

I've got 4 knives incoming at the moment. A Benchmade 940BK, ZT 0566, Ontario RAT 1 and a CRKT Drifter.

I realize this is probably overkill for a newbie. But it was deal i couldnt pass up. It seemed like a decent variety to get me started and to help me decide what style/size of folding knife I will like to carry day to day.

I've been thinking of just starting out with something VERY basic. Like a Work Sharp Field sharpener. Or just a DMT Diafold Course/Fine or Fine/XFine and search for some basic strips of leather to mount on some chunks of wood and get some 1 micron diamond compound.

Then I'll figure out if i enjoy this style of sharpening and grow from there into benchstones etc. Or if I cant seem to get the hang of freehand then I'll look into something a little more expensive in a guided system.

Thoughts?
 
My thought would be DMT diamond stones and a strop.

I would recommend the DMT Coarse as a single stone option. It's coarse enough to set bevels but because of the precision of the plate it creates a very sharp and toothy edge if you finish with light strokes. Follow that with some 1 micron diamond compound on leather or balsa and you can make some scary sharp edges. This stone is well known for this and some members use this method exclusively.

It's easy to build on too, you can add about anything to it and make a very useful sharpening set.

If you are worried about holding and angle get the DMT guide clamp for about $12 and if anything it will teach you proper sharpening movements.
 
Spyderco Sharpmaker is a wonderful sharpening system for the price, effectiveness, and it just plain works. I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker, Edge Pro, and Work Sharp. They all work and will do the job of sharpening knives. For simplicity, ease of use, and IT WORKs, the Spyderco Sharpmaker is hard to beat. The Work Sharp and I do not get along. It has rounded a few tips. It works, but you need electricity. Not with the compact Spyderco unit. And no, I do not have an affiliation with Spyderco. I just like their knives and sharpening system.

I use the Sharpmaker more than both of the other units combined. Get the EXTRA FINE rods and polish your edge. Simple and easy.
 
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