Electric sharpeners

Kellster · Nov 27, 1999

Has anyone used electrics such as the DMT 310 electric diamond hone? I was thinking of one for Dad for Christmas, for ease of use. My concern is that the diamond 'wheels' will eat up the knives. He wants to do his kitchen knives (fairly good quality, I'm not sure which brand or steel). I got him an A.G. Russell mini lockback in ats-34, but I don't think I'd want him to put that through an electric.

BTW, I have a 204 on the way for myself, along with a DMT coarse diamond hone, and I already have my Razor Edge steel. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is stropping. I have a Pinnacle and other various low quality pieces.

If I thought Dad had the patience, I'd get him the same stuff as for myself.

Normark · Nov 27, 1999

Kellster...

I'm no expert on knife sharpeners,, but I'd stay as far away from them as possible..

They'll eat blades faster than anything...

Get him a good bench stone,, or even a Lanskey rather than one of those elecetric jobs!!

You won't be sorry!

Eric...

------------------
Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel

Razoredj · Nov 28, 1999

I must agree. I've never used the DMT model, but all the electric-whizz-bang automatic sharpeners I've ever seen have been guaranteed knife torture devices, that would leave a blade a mangled mess. Absolute worst would be the gizmo some folks have on their electric can opener. I tried to convince my own mother that she shouldn't use hers, but she lacks the Knife Person gene, I think. Mine must be the result of recessive combinations.

Razor

------------------
AKTI #A000845
And tomorrow when you wake up it will be worse.

scorpio · Nov 28, 1999

kelster,
i started to use electric sharpeners on kitchen knives-EDGECRAFT-CHEF CHOISE and they work perfectly.
for my sporting knives ands costume made i still use spyderco 204.
but since yiou specified that it is for kitchen knives it is a great machine.
it takes of the blade less than half a milimeter and has flexible plates so thereis not enough friction to preduce heat and ruin the tempering of the knife.a good kitchen knife should last several houndreds of those sharpening and with great results,my kitchen knives now cuts like lasers,so i would not be so aprehensive about them,this electric sharpeners did make me a beliver,however for your "collection" knives stick with the hand sharpeners,as for your father i am quite sure he will appriciate the gift greatly once he started to use it.
scorpio.
ps:edge craft phone no.[800]342-3255

Crayola · Nov 28, 1999

Electric? NO WAY!!!! I have seen them eat up too many blades! If ease of use is a most important factor, why not get a 203/204? Stick stones in plastic, hold knife, draw knife on stones keeeping the blade straight up and down. Sounds easy enough to me (and it will extend the life of blades too!)

Kellster · Nov 28, 1999

Thanks people for the advice. I ordered him a 204. Since he'll have the same as I do, we can help each other with technique. I also got myself a strop and some paste.

P.S. I asked him for an LM Wave or a 710 plain edge Axis lock for Christmas. We'll see....

Bo · Nov 28, 1999

Kellster,
Did you order the strop and paste on the net??

If so, where??

Kellster · Nov 28, 1999

Knifecenter.com has strops. I don't see them often, so I ordered one when I saw them. They also have some additional info on the site as well regarding stropping. I got a 23 inch imported strop. I also got the 2 small tubes of paste, one is white, the other yellow. I guess you use the yellow with the canvas side (coarser), then the white on the leather, (polish). The leather handle is more comfortable I guess. The domestic strop is considerably less money however. I usually buy everything made in USA, but this time I wanted the best tool for polishing my blades.