Elmax Sharpening - Spyderco Sharpmaker?

S

Shakeyfly

Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Messages
12
Hello,

As another of my thread stated, new to the forum and to knives in general. I just bought a ZT0560BW and I have some questions on the Elmax. I've been doing some reading and some thread searching on here, but I was hoping someone could provide some advice on sharpening Elmax from a newbie perspective?

Would the Spyderco Sharpmaker do well with the Elmax?

Or would something like the Diafold Magna-guide be something more that I should be looking for?

It's just an EDC knife, that will be doing some thing like Cardboard box cutting, wires, rope, twine, plastic binding. etc. Pretty much my use it for everything knife including hiking and camping. So I just want to be able to keep a good edge.

Thank you!

Shakey
 
I've used the Sharpmaker to touch up my ZT0561, works just fine so far. If you get a chip in the blade, may have to go to diamonds to sharpen it out, but for regular touch-ups the ceramics should be fine.
 
Thank you. I know ZT website recomends the Kershawk Ultra-tek? But I'm just concerned about keeping the correct angle.
 
Shakeyfly said:
Thank you. I know ZT website recomends the Kershawk Ultra-tek? But I'm just concerned about keeping the correct angle.
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Sharpmaker should help with keeping the angle. The Kershaw Ultra-tek is not bad for a portable sharpener but those diamonds can remove a lot of metal quickly and it's harder to keep the angle on it.
 
Agreed. Diamond is fast and effective but also far too abrasive. Stones work well for when you need to bring back that edge, but you should opt for a strop for general edge maintenance.
 
I can't see any reason why the Sharpmaker would not do a good job with Elmax. I use a EdgePro Apex, and it does a fine job with Elmax on a daily basis.
 
Sharpmaker will do just fine. I wouldn't want to try reprofiling Elmax on it, but I haven't yet met a steel that their ceramics can't handle. I do use diamond a lot, though, and if you go that route just remember that it cuts more aggressively, so use a light touch.
 
In my experience, Elmax responds extremely well to the spyderco ultra-fine rods, more so than other super steels.
 
Thank you very much everyone.

I hope this isn't a separate topic, but from watching videos, looks like the Spyderco sharpener is really simple to use.

For the ZT560 anything weird or tips with the spyderco that I should be aware of a newbie?
 
Shakeyfly said:
Thank you very much everyone.

I hope this isn't a separate topic, but from watching videos, looks like the Spyderco sharpener is really simple to use.

For the ZT560 anything weird or tips with the spyderco that I should be aware of a newbie?
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Use a sharpie to mark the bevel so you know you're contacting all of it. Don't be in a hurry. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
 
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