Forum newbie sharpening question

LittleBill

LittleBill

Joined
Jan 25, 2010
Messages
86
I've been using a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaster to keep my blades shaving-sharp; it seems to work well. But I thought I'd solicit the advice of the experts here, who undoubtedly know more than I do about the subject...

Any advice anyone? Is there a better way?
 
There are lot's of different ways, but not necessarily better ways.

SharpMaker is pretty convenient for maintaining an edge, or putting on a micro bevel after doing the primary bevel by some other technique. The SharpMaker is slow if you need to reprofile, especially on some of the harder, wear resistant premium steels.

EdgePro has it's fans, it will do a beautiful mirror edge. If you're patient you can even do a sword with it.

Convexing by hand is pretty popular, cheap and easy once you get the hang of it.

Using a belt grinder is fast, and will let you reprofile thick edges or even convex an entire blade.

Some guys swear by a Norton India stone. Others use expensive waterstones.

Hang out in the Maintenance forum, and you will see that they discuss this ( or ague about) ad nauseum.

There really is no best way, just what works for you. :thumbup:
 
I'm a belt sander guy myself. I have no patience for non power sharpening besides stropping.
 
I usually use a combination of the Edge Pro and the Sharpmaker... Edge Pro when the blade needs a lot of work (even a little bit of reprofiling) and then the Sharpmaker to fine tune the final product.

From what I've seen and read on the forums, a lot of guys prefer convex though.
 
I SUCK at sharpening, the last time I tried sharpening a knife I completely ruined the edge. So, I just have my local cutler do the work for me.
 
I usually use a combination of the Edge Pro and the Sharpmaker... Edge Pro when the blade needs a lot of work (even a little bit of reprofiling) and then the Sharpmaker to fine tune the final product.

From what I've seen and read on the forums, a lot of guys prefer convex though.
 
I like the norton water stones, then strop with black,green, then pink compound. For knives that are really damaged, I use a DMT aligner with the black then blue stones to set the angle.
So for normal maintenance I go from 1000, 4000, 6000 grit water stone, then black,green,pink strop compound, then finally strop with plain leather. You'll get a high polish like with a edge pro
 
I use the Edge Pro for most of my Sharpening these days, but I also have a Sharpmaker for quick touchups and Waterstones that I still use every now and then.
 
resinguy said:
There are lot's of different ways, but not necessarily better ways.

SharpMaker is pretty convenient for maintaining an edge, or putting on a micro bevel after doing the primary bevel by some other technique. The SharpMaker is slow if you need to reprofile, especially on some of the harder, wear resistant premium steels.

EdgePro has it's fans, it will do a beautiful mirror edge. If you're patient you can even do a sword with it.

Convexing by hand is pretty popular, cheap and easy once you get the hang of it.

Using a belt grinder is fast, and will let you reprofile thick edges or even convex an entire blade.

Some guys swear by a Norton India stone. Others use expensive waterstones.

Hang out in the Maintenance forum, and you will see that they discuss this ( or ague about) ad nauseum.

There really is no best way, just what works for you. :thumbup:
Click to expand...


This is excellent advise.:thumbup:

People will swear by different methods, but it really boils down to what method you can do best to get the best results.

Funny thing I have found is that I sharpen different knives better with different methods, go figure.:confused:
 
Thanks to all who responded!

I didn't know about Edge Pro... looks like I'll have to invest in one... I've been using my Sharp Maker diamond sleeves to reprofile blades; but I can see I've been doing it the hard way!
 
LittleBill said:
Thanks to all who responded!

I didn't know about Edge Pro... looks like I'll have to invest in one... I've been using my Sharp Maker diamond sleeves to reprofile blades; but I can see I've been doing it the hard way!
Click to expand...

Oh yes you have.... :eek:

What would take 8 hours to do on a Sharpmaker with Diamond rods would only take 15 mins on an Edge Pro with the 120 grit silicone carbide water stone and it will be better also. ;)

I know because I have done it. ;)
 
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I enjoy sharpeniong with DMT benchstones - first the Black Extra Coarse followed by the Red Fine benchstone. Afterwards I polish with a Arkansas Translucent. This system works great.
 
Ankerson said:
What would take 8 hours to do on a Sharpmaker with Diamond rods would only take 15 mins on an Edge Pro with the 120 grit silicone carbide water stone and it will be better also. ;)
Click to expand...

or 2 minutes on a $40 HF belt grinder with 80grit. :D
 
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