Gatco Edgemate vs. Spyderco Sharpmaker Differences

einsteinjon

einsteinjon

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Hey all, so I've seen a lot of sharpening info here, but I have more of a technical question.

I'm not too great at sharpening, hence my need for one of these "easy" systems. My question is regarding the angles the Edgemate Profrddional and Sharpmaker work at. According to Cabelas and each manufacturer site, I am getting the same info. The Gatco says angles of 29, 25, 22, 19, 15, and 11. Does this mean per side? i.e. 58, 50, 44, 38, 30, and 22 total blade angle?

The Sharpmaker info says 30 and 40 degrees (plus 12.5 for scissors). I assume these specs are total blade angle?

I like the method of the Sharpmaker much more, but the flexibility of angles available on the Gatco are appealing. Will I even need that many angle options? Are they so close (i.e. only a 3 or 4 degree difference between each angle) that i don't really need that many angle options?

Thanks for the advice guys, and let me know if I need to explain myself further. :thumbup:
 
Yeah, the Gatco numbers are per side and the Sharpmaker numbers are the total edge angle including both sides. I like to use the Gatco to thin and even out the edges to where they will form a nasty microbevel on the Sharpmaker at the 40 degree setting (or 30 depending on the blade). They make a great combo, IMO, as the Gatco is good for "reprofiling" the edge and then the Sharpmaker can be used to get the final, razor edge and for easy touch ups when necessary.
 
jonnyfgroove made the best argument for the use of both, however with most knife applications extra thin angles is somewhat overrated, and will require more time to thin out. The questions becomes will you notice a difference between 40,30,20deg to make it worth the effort? And, will your knife have a steel which will hold a thinner edge.
 
donny bee said:
jonnyfgroove made the best argument for the use of both, however with most knife applications extra thin angles is somewhat overrated, and will require more time to thin out. The questions becomes will you notice a difference between 40,30,20deg to make it worth the effort? And, will your knife have a steel which will hold a thinner edge.
Click to expand...

I guess this is part of what I need to explain. MOST of what I would use this for is pocket folders. It'd also be nice to use for kitchen knives, which I think the Sharpmaker doesn't get quite thin enough. Also, I have the occasional need to sharpen a hatchet or garden tool and don't really like using a grinder.

So maybe the answer like jonnyfgroove said is to use both...the Sharpmaker for everyday ease and the Gatco for more specific uses?
 
If you look at different folders youll notice they will vary in how thick they are, but this does not mean some will require thinning. I may prefer a thinner blade, but that doesnt mean the thicker ones have to be thinned or they wont work correctly, or stay sharp. What needs to be done every once in a while is thin out the shoulder so you can sharpen at a given angle. You can shave at a wide variety of angles if the knife has been sharpened correctly.
 
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