Does anybody use the Sharpmaker at 30 degrees only?

J

JulianHayes

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Mar 17, 2012
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I have a sharpmaker and the 40 degree inclusive side has gotten very loose over the years. now it is probably closer to 50 or wider. Sometimes I stick paper in the sides to keep the rods still but they are not even. So the 30 degree side remains. I have not used it very much, I usually reprofle on a benchstone and touch up on the ceramic rods not in the base. I tried reprofiling a spyderco on the 30 degree side and did not get anywhere. Now I am grabbing a Opinel (carbon) and a sharpie. I don't know why I have never gotten the sharpmaker, I do fine with stones..
So until the Worksharp KO comes off backorder, I want to use the sharpmaker correctly. Any tips for sharpening to a 30 degree inclusive edge? Will carbon steel ( thinking case cv) hold an edge that thin? Will my BM710 in D2 take a year to reprofile? What do you other sharpeker users do when the 40 degree sides get loose, and does anyone only use the 30? any help is greatly appreciated. thanks!
 
I reprofile most knives with DMT aligner diamonds at sub-30, and then use the sharpmaker at 30 to maintain the the edges. Only takes a minute. Knives stay very sharp.
 
Good question, I've wondered the same thing (what to do with loose base fit). I haven't tried measuring but I know there's a pretty good degree of slop in the 40 deg holes on mine as well.

I've reprofiled with 30 deg but have diamond rods...without those I would definitely be rigging something up with wet/dry sandpaper, D2 would take longer than I have the patience for with medium rods.
 
I've been using the 30° side for awhile now. Reprofile with the diamond rods then sharpen through to the ultra find.fine. Been getting some pretty good edges lately.
 
Don't have the diamond rods, And I don't really want to invest in them because the sharmaker is already lose and then I'd want the UF rods. Ever since I saw the Worksharp KO edition I have been waiting to get one of those. I think I just don't have the patience for the sharpmaker without the diamond rods. I have just started reprofiling an opinel on the medium rods and between the thin blade and carbon steel it is getting really sharp.
Thanks for all of the input, I am going to do some experimenting with that knowledge and won't be reprofiling my harder steels until my set up improves. Thanks all.
 
Don't get too hung up on the actual angle as long as it's consistent. Just clean up the edge. Many factory angles are adequate, but sloppy. Just run them across paper wheels and it'll be the sharpest knife ever.
 
What matters most is being consistent with whatever you do have. Use a sharpie to check.

I use a diamond against the rods to reprofile after initial handwork at the 30 degree setting. Then work a 40 micro in there.
Believe it or not. My last sharpmaker was worn in like yours after about 5 years. But i measured the 40 degree side and even though they seemed loose. It was still exactly 40. Measure and see what you have there. Even pop up a protractor on your computer screen and hold it up to see.
 
Yeah, consistency is the key. I have been using a 30 degree inclusive angle on my millie lately, but I might even put a 40 back on it tonight because the edge chipped a week or so ago. I can get it just as sharp on the 30 - if you can get them close to 30 on a bench stone first you might want to try that though since you don't have diamond rods.

Most people get great results out of the 40 side because it immediately apexes most edges, so 4 or 5 swipes will sharpen your knife. If you can't stay consistent for 5 swipes on the sharpmaker, you need xanax or something.
 
Thanks for all the help. I just got my opinel ridiculously sharp just at 30 degrees. I used a sharpie and stayed very steady, and I must say, it is wonderful. I think patience was my main problem. Also, I did check with a protractor (thanks bellablades, and I love your work btw) and it not nearly as far off as I thought about 45-47 degrees ( I must admit I did drop it and a bit cracked as well as two rods chipped, so I am to blame). I'll keep using the sharpie until I get more steady. Thanks for the help.
 
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