Buck Diamond Sharpener

[marthinus]

Hi guys

I am looking to getting some diamond stones for sharpening and have been shopping around and found this one that seems to be good quality for the price. It is a Buck sharpener. Any thoughts, opinions are welcome.

3-Stone sharpening system featuring one coarse 325 grit diamond stone and one fine 750 grit diamond stone, as well as one 6-inch Fine Arkansas Stone. Both diamond stones offer an interrupted surface and a Micro-Tool Sharpening Pad™ for extra care around the tip or for sharpening your smaller blades.

 

[bobo_the_gnu]

I have Bucks Portable Diamond Sharpener and it is my go-to travel sharpener. Coarse side works well on really dull knives and the Fine side might not give you mirror polished edges but it will give a razor sharp working edge. I don't leave home without it in my pack.

The one you are looking at is a table top version with added Arkansas stone. I was told by a vendor at a knife show once that the Buck sharpeners are made by Smith's Abrasives but don't know how true that is and have never had the desire to look into it, though they look similar. Either way Buck is good stuff and they have an excellent warranty.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I was thinking it looked a lot like a Smith's product. I have a bunch of their diamond products - holding up well and put on a very nice edge. I recently ordered one of these

http://www.sportsmansliquidation.co...nd-Combination-Bench-Stones/vmj_naru.tpl.html

because I prefer a bigger stone for bench use and the price is fantastic. Had to order by phone - their online ordering is not so good. Service was fast and friendly.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'm betting it's a Smith's too, with the Buck branding added. Looks a little too similar. Assuming that, Smith's seems to have pretty good rep. And if Buck's warranty applies to this product, I'd think that's a big plus also. :thumbup:

 

[David Martin]

I recently ask a Buck employ that question (early part of this year) and he told me they were not Smith diamond stones. The system should work real nice. DM

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If it's not Smith's (technically), I'd then have to assume both vendors are getting 'em from the same 3rd party manufacturer. These look WAY too similar to be coincidental.

Looks just like a diamond-upgraded version of this one ('Tri-Hone' from Smith's), shown with conventional hones. Take a look at the stone holder & base; identical, so far as I can tell.

And below, is the 'Buck' branded version from the OP's posted pic

Even the stone grits are identical, between Smith's diamond Tri-Hone system and the Buck (325, 750 and 'Natural Arkansas'). Only difference I see, the current generation diamond system from Smith's is 8" hones (Buck's is 6"). Here's a pic of the 8" Smith's system, base & hone holder are slightly different:

Coincidence?? Somehow, I doubt it. Otherwise, I'd see a patent-infringement case in the making.

 

[marthinus]

Well I bought the sharpener and it performs great. The Arkansas stone is a bit soft with the higher end steels being able to cut into the stone itself (easily solvable by stropping the blade rather then cutting into the stone), however, the course and the fine diamonds work well and aggressively. Forms a nice burr on the edge in a few strokes. (The Diamonds have been broken in at this stage.)

The packaging is VERY interesting....It is in a Buck outer box and when you take that off it is in a Smith cardboard Box.

Arrives with cleaning liquid as well.