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Did I make a mistake?
- Thread starter seanuhthin
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2009
- Messages
- 362
I posted a thread in the wrong place with my photography.
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2009
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- 2,513
most of us are here becuase we love to share info, so s'all good man. I don't know how the. Urrent editions are, but boy scout handbooks from 1996 or earlier are a good source for woodland info and basic survival. To be totally honest I did more hardcore woods survival then just using a small SAK than I do now with all my pretty tools. We used to take one of those and a cup and disappear for days.
And while I didn't see your photos, it's a great hobby to keep you outdoors. Don't worry about spending alot of money, or getting this kit or that. Just get out there and be there. Remeber. You can't be lost if you don't care where you are
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,481
Seanuthin, I know you've already ordered a Sharpmaker, but I'd also reccomend learning how to use a nice stone. I've got a Fallkniven DC4; one side is a fine diamond abrasive, the other side is a very fine ceramic (I think).
With a small stone like that, you can sharpen knives ANYWHERE. It's tough to pack a Sharpmaker if you're going to spend much time in the woods.
With a small stone like that, you can sharpen knives ANYWHERE. It's tough to pack a Sharpmaker if you're going to spend much time in the woods.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 7,035
Since the RAT knives use a 20 degree edge (40 degree inclusive) the Sharpmaker will work just fine. Might also want to take the above advice as well and learn to sharpen with a stone. It's good to have at least an Arkansas stone with you to touch up the edge and keep it real sharp when out in the field.
That is, if you're going to actually practice bushcraft and stuff. You do a lot more cutting learning and practicing skills than you're likely to ever need to do on just a regular outing.
That is, if you're going to actually practice bushcraft and stuff. You do a lot more cutting learning and practicing skills than you're likely to ever need to do on just a regular outing.
Today is the first time I sharpened my Izula with the Sharpmaker. Edges weren't exactly 20 degrees, but after placing some diamond plates on the triangular stones for a few minutes, they were pretty much perfect. After a trip on the white stones, the edge was gleaming. Almost hadn't noticed that all my use had put some patina on the edge.
So no, you didn't make a mistake at all. Sharpmaker is truly one of the best sharpeners out there.
So no, you didn't make a mistake at all. Sharpmaker is truly one of the best sharpeners out there.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2009
- Messages
- 362
I plan to learn to use a stone. I hear a lot about them and it would be nice to be able to get a good edge with no system
ARtrvlr Has it right the 30degrees produces a finer "sharper but more fragile edge. The 40degrees is almost as sharp and doesn't slice quiet as well but is more robust.
So my edc folders and small fixed ( eg the parer and fillet knife in the kitchen) are sharpened with the steeper sharper 30degree edge.
The machetes axes and cleavers are done on the 40 degrees. AND the kitchen knife my wife prefers to use. In short those knife prone to more abuse.LOL
Be aware there are three ways to stop the Spyderco from working at it's best.
#1, skip on the first grind/profile with the corners of the grey stones. You must make sure you have fully reprofiled when you first the 204 ( reprofiling is to ensure the angle you are putting on the edge now matches the angle the stones you are using). One of the easier ways to ensure that is with a Sharpie and a magnifying Glass ( yep I've hit 40) colour in the edge of the knife 2-3mm in for the full length. One stroke on the sharpmaker, then inspect. The stones will remove the black Sharpie mark where they are contacting, if you have black on the edge side of the bright mark made by the rod you need to put it back on the rods till you can give it a colour and a wipe and it removes the sharpie mark the full length of the edge. Do not skip on this bit the first time you put a a blade on the Sharpmaker or if you decide to change the angle. But you shouldn't need to reprofile every time you re-sharpen. Don't rush it, take your time.
2# Not keeping the stones clean. It is amazing how well things work when they are clean/maintained.
3#Sit down with a root beer and watch the dvd from start to finish. Amazing how well things work when you follow the instructions. When you have gotten comfortable with the "right" way to use it then you can start mucking around and "freelancing".
An amazingly insightful look at the Spyderco 204, from one of the best looking blokes on the net. RATFLMAO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yVN9lLVPM4
Carl
So my edc folders and small fixed ( eg the parer and fillet knife in the kitchen) are sharpened with the steeper sharper 30degree edge.
The machetes axes and cleavers are done on the 40 degrees. AND the kitchen knife my wife prefers to use. In short those knife prone to more abuse.LOL
Be aware there are three ways to stop the Spyderco from working at it's best.
#1, skip on the first grind/profile with the corners of the grey stones. You must make sure you have fully reprofiled when you first the 204 ( reprofiling is to ensure the angle you are putting on the edge now matches the angle the stones you are using). One of the easier ways to ensure that is with a Sharpie and a magnifying Glass ( yep I've hit 40) colour in the edge of the knife 2-3mm in for the full length. One stroke on the sharpmaker, then inspect. The stones will remove the black Sharpie mark where they are contacting, if you have black on the edge side of the bright mark made by the rod you need to put it back on the rods till you can give it a colour and a wipe and it removes the sharpie mark the full length of the edge. Do not skip on this bit the first time you put a a blade on the Sharpmaker or if you decide to change the angle. But you shouldn't need to reprofile every time you re-sharpen. Don't rush it, take your time.
2# Not keeping the stones clean. It is amazing how well things work when they are clean/maintained.
3#Sit down with a root beer and watch the dvd from start to finish. Amazing how well things work when you follow the instructions. When you have gotten comfortable with the "right" way to use it then you can start mucking around and "freelancing".
An amazingly insightful look at the Spyderco 204, from one of the best looking blokes on the net. RATFLMAO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yVN9lLVPM4
Carl
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 649
Amen to that Jeff ! I just got through 15 yrs being a shooting sports instructor for the Scouts and some of my kids are in Iraq and Afghan now and thank me for times on the ranges and basic outdoor skills they learned at camp. Kudos to young Sean ! :thumbup: