Best Sharpener for a noob

M

minimalist

Joined
Jul 3, 2013
Messages
206
Hey Guys,

I'm looking to buy a sharpener soon. I've never sharpened a knife before though. Well, when I was younger I ruined a few of my parents kitchen knives trying to sharpen them on the back of the electric can opener which had a sharpener, that doesn't count though.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward the Spyderco Sharpmaker but I'm also considering a Gatco or Lansky kit. This is where I'm hoping you guys could help.

Here are my knives:

ZT0200st - Used a little, actually the edge is funky and seems like it's slightly rolled for an inch or so after the serrations. It won't even cut paper well. It starts well then it snags and just rips the paper.

Para-Military 2 - Arriving next week

Endura 4 - Arriving next week


Any help or guidance would be much appreciated!
 
A sharpmaker is a great sharpenert! It will get you a decent edge and holds the angle for you. If you want a full guided system, then save up and buy a wicked edge. However, as a place to start the sharpmaker will treat you well.
 
the sharpmaker is really hard to beat for such a low price I really like mine its quick and easy to use and it all fits in a nice little package so it doesn't take up much space. the angles are already set for you so as long as you keep your knife straight it works really well. it comes with an instructional dvd incase you want to know more about its uses.
 
Sharpmaker, not because it's the best system but because it's a very good system, it's very compact to store, and it's reasonably moron-proof (source: I am a moron, and I can use it just fine).

If you have to reprofile anything or do major edge repair (sounds like your ZT may need some work, for example) I would recommend adding a couple of the cheap 1/2" Ruby 320 triangle rods from Congress Tools (they're about $6 each) for that purpose.
 
So with the Sharpmaker do I run the risk of ruining perfectly good and new knives? Or is everything pretty much fixable?
 
What is with the sharpmaker suggestions. Get whetsone, they're simple, easy to use, theraputic, and they're timeless.
 
evilgreg said:
If you have to reprofile anything or do major edge repair (sounds like your ZT may need some work, for example) I would recommend adding a couple of the cheap 1/2" Ruby 320 triangle rods from Congress Tools (they're about $6 each) for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Will those fit in the sharpmaker? Pardon my ignorance but I've never even heard of ruby stones. I was going to ask in another thread how to fix my zt edge but I guess I don't need to. They will fix what what I described above?
 
Your user name would imply bench stones and a strop, or a brick and a pair of jeans.
 
there are optional diamond rods for the sharpmaker that are much coarser then the ones that come with it they will fit for sure and will help move a little more of the edge if its really bad
 
I planned on getting the ultra fine stones not the diamond. If I add pictures of the ZT knife edge would that help? I guess this thread is meant to kill two birds with one stone.
 
Sharpmaker. I have the big Lansky kit and the S.M. I am self taught and I would say that I put medium to good edges on my tools. I usually stop when I can slice or rough slice printer paper. I find that the sharpmaker will cover most knives. It seems to be all about what angle the cutting edge grinds are. A full flat grind and in particular a knife with a hollow grind are super easy for me to get very sharp. Something with a thick\fat chisel edge to it needs its shoulders sharpened down first. I have had machetes and axes that had such thick ''shoulders'' that I used a file to thin the edge out, or to bring the edge to a more acute angle. So.......... sometimes the Lansky kit comes out to make the edge grind more acute, then I can use the sharpmaker to put a fine edge on it. But basicly you will not go wrong with the sharpmaker. It will be a useful life long tool. B.T.W. I put the S.M. rods in the dish washer and they come out ready to use again. I AM NOT anything like a professional blade sharpener. There are guys here that could embarrass me while only using one hand and one eye to sharpen. This is were I am at, and what has worked for me. Good luck.
 
I.N.F.K said:
What is with the sharpmaker suggestions. Get whetsone, they're simple, easy to use, theraputic, and they're timeless.
Click to expand...

Not everybody can sharpen well with plain stones. At least not with a lot of practice. Knowing the difference between 30 degrees inclusive and 40, and keeping it consistent is an acquired skill. With the Sharpmaker, you just keep the knife straight up and down.
 
Yes it takes practice, which I why I bought a few $5 folders from a tobacco shop to practice.

tried a few different angles and chose one that suited me. I usually widen factory bevel by about 25-50% and microbevel it.

once you're confortable with stones, you can do amazing things the 'training wheels' cannot.
 
KrisOK said:
Not everybody can sharpen well with plain stones. At least not with a lot of practice. Knowing the difference between 30 degrees inclusive and 40, and keeping it consistent is an acquired skill. With the Sharpmaker, you just keep the knife straight up and down.
Click to expand...

True, all i've known is a whetstone. I've tried to teach people how to use a whetsone, and keeping the angle the same is the hardest part for them. Even when I get a rod system I end up taking a rod in my hand and using it like a butcher rod. However, if the OP does learn how to use a whetstone properly, he will in my opinion get the same if not better edge as the sharpmaker.
 
What whetstone should I be looking at? Is that all I'd need? I might be leaning toward a sharpmaker but my mind is still open to other things.

I should add I'm very willing to learn and teach myself. I just want the most value out of a sharpener. Sharpest knives for a modest amount of money.
 
Like most said, a sharp-maker is great for beginners and for you to develop and hone your skills. I started with mine, bought it for around $40 years ago, nowadays $70 LMAO.. But still good.

Edge-pro's are great, but I wouldn't be as confident as I am now if I didn't have that trial & error stage when I first started. Practice on beaters, or kitchen knives.
 
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