Do I really need a sharpener?

mongomondo

mongomondo

SUPPRESSING FIRE
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I've only recently started to buy knives but I'm trying to figure out if a sharpener is really worth the money to me. I have a couple Benchmade knives and I have a Sebenza coming tomorrow. With the Benchmades they all have the free lifetime sharpening service and I have the option to send the Sebenza back to CRK for sharpening as well. I'm hoping the sebenza is the last knife I buy so do I really need to buy my own sharpener?


EDIT

Just a small update from a month ago. I've since purchased the sharpmaker and have sharpened every single knife in my house and have called several friends and offered to sharpen all their knives. The DVD is cheesy but very helpful. Spyderco is awesome!
 
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mongomondo said:
I've only recently started to buy knives but I'm trying to figure out if a sharpener is really worth the money to me. I have a couple Benchmade knives and I have a Sebenza coming tomorrow. With the Benchmades they all have the free lifetime sharpening service and I have the option to send the Sebenza back to CRK for sharpening as well. I'm hoping the sebenza is the last knife I buy so do I really need to buy my own sharpener?
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I guess that depends on how often you use your knife, and what you use them on. I would say that yes, learning to sharpen your own knives is a valuable skill. I sharpen my knives a few times a week.
 
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I can take a sharp knife and dull it in an hours use. I mean, using it correctly, not cutting materials like wire etc. It helps to know how to sharpen because you can have it sharp in a few minutes versus the two to four weeks it'll take if you send it to Benchmade - not to mention shipping and insurance costs.

I got over the hump by ordering a Spyderco Sharpmaker and can now sharpen convex edges with wet/dry paper, v-grind edges freehand (passable for a beginner), and virtually any edge on the Sharpmaker. I conquered my fear of sharpening a little over a year ago and, while I can get some of my knives literally "hair popping" sharp, I still consider myself a beginner......
 
Yes you definitely need a sharpener, then every knife in your house will be super sharp! The sharpmaker from spyderco works well and is easy to use. The main key is light strokes.
 
I thought about using the company's service as well... But I actually sharpen my knives quite often (at least once a week). That would mean lots of down time without my knife (have to send it through mail, then wait for it to come back...) and lots of money in the long run.

So I got stones and learned myself.
 
mongomondo said:
I've only recently started to buy knives but I'm trying to figure out if a sharpener is really worth the money to me. I have a couple Benchmade knives and I have a Sebenza coming tomorrow. With the Benchmades they all have the free lifetime sharpening service and I have the option to send the Sebenza back to CRK for sharpening as well. I'm hoping the sebenza is the last knife I buy so do I really need to buy my own sharpener?
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A complete Spyderco sharpmaker 204 system costs all of $40-50, is dead simple to use, and lasts a lifetime. Even if you only need to sharpen 1 knife every 6 months (good luck,) it'll pay for itself in less than 3-4 years. With "Free" sharpening, you still must factor the cost for you to ship the knives (as well as not having them for a few weeks each time)

---edit--Forgot to add that when you have + use your own sharpeners, your standard as to what constitutes a "sharp" knife goes WAY up.
 
Also I highly doubt that your Sebbie will be the last knife you buy.

You've only just begun and its very addicting!
 
I think you should have your own sharpener. It is just a freedom to sharpen your knives in minutes. Going to the post office mailing them off waiting to get them back does not appeal to me. It is so much easier to get something like a sharpmaker. I use mine every few days one my EDC if i use it a lot to maintain a nice sharp cutting edge.
 
mongomondo said:
I've only recently started to buy knives but I'm trying to figure out if a sharpener is really worth the money to me. I have a couple Benchmade knives and I have a Sebenza coming tomorrow. With the Benchmades they all have the free lifetime sharpening service and I have the option to send the Sebenza back to CRK for sharpening as well. I'm hoping the sebenza is the last knife I buy so do I really need to buy my own sharpener?
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If you don't care if your knife is sharp, you do not need a sharpener.
If you rarely use your knife, you do not need a sharpener.
If you are willing to be without your knife while it is away for sharpening, you do not need a sharpener.

Otherwise, you need a sharpener.
 
Do you want to rely on someone else to maintain the edge on your knife?

Think self reliant.
 
how much for postage to send the knife in every time? how long of a wait? what if Postal Pete decides to grab himself your knife? is there postal services in the woods when you need to send the knife in for sharpening?

ask yourself these questions......

the amount of postage ($$$) used up to have others do what is such a simple thing, would pay for a real nice set of diamond stones or a Sharpmaker or what have ya.....

personally, i sharpen my knives DAILY, (the ones i use everyday). 5 minutes for 5 knives (average number of EDC blades) to give them a light touch up.
 
another thing to consider about shipping youre knife......alot of things can go wrong when sending things from point A-B. The more you ship the higher the chances of loosing stuff.
 
Alright point taken. So I take it that Spyderco hum dinger is the easiest to use?
 
mongomondo said:
Alright point taken. So I take it that Spyderco hum dinger is the easiest to use?
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Yes, it's probably the easiest for a wide range of types (serrated, etc.)

After you use it for awhile, don't be surprised if you start to desire some DMT diamond bench or Japanese water stones. Sharpening itself can become an addiction ;)
 
Learn to sharpen. It's better, and more useful to yourself, if you maintain a knife's sharpness rather than letting it go dull and sending it off. Plus, when you find yourself in real need a sharp knife, you don't want it to be in the mail.

Get a Sharpmaker, watch the DVD, but you might want to practice on some cheaper knives (old kitchen knives, etc) to figure out what you're doing, before you try it on your Sebenza.
 
sandpaper costs nothing and gives my knives a wicked edge

but for knives with odd grinds or serrations a sharpmaker is probably needed
 
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