Best sharpening system?

I myself am sharpening "challanged", but anybody, and I mean anybody, can use the Spydrco Sharpmaker. It might not give you an edge like a professional could, but it works well enough for day to day use.
 
let us not forget that just as we all like to own/use multiple knives, some of us like to own several sharpening systems "just because".

i have small and large razor edge systems, a spyderco 203, a lansky and a gatco, and a leather strop.
i use 'em all and make my choice based on the shape of the blade, which system hasn't been used in a while and which knives i associate with each sharpener (ex. the first decent knife i ever bought was a my venerable buck 110 and the first sharpener i bought was a razor edge so i always sharpen the buck on it!).
by the by, where can i read more on the edge pro system and/or order one???

jason f.
 
let us not forget that just as we all like to own/use multiple knives, some of us like to own several sharpening systems "just because".

i have small and large razor edge systems, a spyderco 203, a lansky and a gatco, and a leather strop.
i use 'em all and make my choice based on the shape of the blade, which system hasn't been used in a while and which knives i associate with each sharpener (ex. the first decent knife i ever bought was a my venerable buck 110 and the first sharpener i bought was a razor edge so i always sharpen the buck on it!).
by the by, where can i read more on the edge pro system and/or order one???

jason f.
 
Hmmm... Better handle this one at a time.

I have looked into the Razor Edge system, and the price tag is a bit higher than I'm willing to spend at this time. However, I am planning on buying the book, and possibly the video later on.

I have also considered using a flat stone, but I'd rather start out with a pre-set angle, so I have something to fall back on should I prove to be completely inept at hand-sharpening.

I use all of my knives on a regular basis, and I am leaning towards a coarse rather than a razor edge, because it fits my uses a little better. As such, strops are definately out of the question. Of course, once my collection expands a bit more and I have a few show pieces... Hmmm...

According to the FAQ, using oils and such isn't the best way to do it. That probably deserves a thread all of its own though. =8)

In regards to individual systems, it sounds like the Tri-Sharpener is the one most used, so I'll start looking into it. Thanks to everybody for their help, you've given me a lot to think about!

I'll drop by every now and then to see what new ideas have been dropped, so please continue this thread. I'm delighted to see how many people have contributed. Keep it up, guys!

Ted Stewart
 
Ted,

I'm curious, why do you think the Razor Edge system is expensive? If you're already planning on buying a benchstone, all you need to do now is spend the few dollars ($5-$10?) for a Razor Edge clamp. You don't have to buy a $75 system from Razor Edge. I use a Razor Edge clamp on my DMT hones, or Spyderco ceramic hones, or the 3-stone system from Knifeart.

You want to buy the book and the video no matter which sharpening system you choose. You need only spend a few dollars more to get the clamp, and that's all you need to spend with Razor Edge. Use 'em with whatever stones you choose.

Just to clarify (I should probably re-work this section of the FAQ), I advocate:

- Use diamond and ceramic stones dry

- Use water stones with water

- Use natural stones dry if possible. However, some natural stones just clog too fast to use dry. If that's the case, try water. If water doesn't work, use oil. I use oil on the natural stones I have because they stopped cutting too quickly otherwise.

That's a reason I love diamond and ceramic stones -- easy clean-up, no oil mess to deal with.

Joe
 
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