Good Beginner Sharpening System

I will probably go with the Magna guide system. Mostly because it is a guided system (Which is a good place to start) but also because it can be transformed into a free hand system so I can learn to go free hand and eventually on to bigger things like the paper wheel and other things.
 
It's an inexpensive way to get started out, in any case, and with the ability to remove the hones and use them freehand it's incredibly versatile. Good luck, let us know how it turns out for you!
 
i use the DMT aligner system but freehand the last 2 stones xfine and xxfine i use the stone holder to hold the diamond stones while i freehand.. works like a charm
 
I too have been considering one. Are those DMT aligner stones big enough to use free hand? Is the aligner better than the magna glide?
 
Well i will post some pics for better understanding.. i purchased the xxfine stone but other than that everything else cost me $55 at knifeworks
I hold the stone on the holder and freehand with the xfine and xxfine

the whole setup
P1040435.jpg


pic of my ritter mini grip on the aligner
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/furfmonkey/P1040439.jpg

how the stone looks in hand on the holder
P1040437.jpg


and in hand as if you were freehanding a knife
P1040438.jpg


and finished product
P1040421.jpg
 
About the only difference between the two is that the Aligner uses those little plates you see there, the MagnaGuide uses DuoFolds. They both give the same edge and the same method, the DuoFold is just a tad easier to use as a stand-alone. They'll both give you a fine edge, though.
 
Mcoe01 said:
Ok well during the school year my knives won't be getting too much action though I will probably use them for the occasional bonfire or something. So no serious re-sharpening should be needed, but can the Magnaguide get the edge as sharp as the sharpmaker?
Click to expand...

I've owned 2 sharpmakers, complete with diamond rods & ultrafine rods and I struggled with the darn things for years.

Then I got smart and bought the DMT Magna-guide and I finally have scary sharp, shaving edges on all of my knives - EVERY time. I use the aligner clamp to set a profile or on a really expensive knife like an XM-18 but other than that I mostly open up the paddle hones and freehand sharpen with them for touch-ups.

I can get a knife sharper in a 1/2 hour with the magna guide set-up than I could in 2 years with a million strokes on a SharpMaker. This is a no brainer man get it and use it on your cheapest knives until you get the hang of it and then move on to anything.

I just re-profiled a big old Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife and it whispers through copy paper and shaves. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/874429-Dmt-magna-guide-help

I suggest the purchase of the X-coarse/coarse hone and you'll be loaded for anything. What you need is:

x-coarse/coarse....coarse/fine.....x-fine/xx-fine and you'll be coming off the xx-fine hone with a nearly mirror finish! :thumbup:

(you have to put up with having an extra dia-fold but the x-coarse hone is well worth it)

This system and a full range of hones from X-coarse to xx-fine are the best thing you can do other than buying full 8" dia-sharp plates (which I'd like to get but they're so expensive and my knives are already like razors :))

They're much more versatile than the DMT Aligner and give you an extra 4 inces or more to hold on to when you sharpen either way (aligned or freehand) the control in the dia-fold is vastly superior than the little sqares that you get with an aligner kit.

Need mobility? Just fold up your coarse/fine dia-fold and you're set for a camping trip for e.g.
 
Last edited:
Well for 88$ after my next paycheck I am excited to pick one of those badboys up. Also my 581 Barrage should be here in a few days as well. So excited.
 
cziv said:
They're much more versatile than the DMT Aligner and give you an extra 4 inces or more to hold on to when you sharpen either way (aligned or freehand) the control in the dia-fold is vastly superior than the little sqares that you get with an aligner kit.

Need mobility? Just fold up your coarse/fine dia-fold and you're set for a camping trip for e.g.
Click to expand...

how do you figure? you have to hold the handles of the magna where the stone holder in the aligner system holds the stone for you ..you can sharpen the entire length of the stone where with your system you have to stop down near the handles..infinitely more control... let me show you..

your system
41wFos703%2BL.jpg


and the DMT Aligner
P1040439.jpg

P1040437.jpg

P1040438.jpg


also notice that little bag the stones are sitting on? it makes it quite portable.. so much so theres a belt clip on it
TS choose what you want.. but make an INFORMED decision its your money dont waste it...
 
Regarding the 'entire length of the stone', the Dia-Folds are 4-1/4" long (actual sharpening surface), vs. the Aligner hones at 4". So, the difference in usable length is essentially moot. You'll need to stop short on either hone, anyway, unless you're running off the end of the hone on the sharpening stroke, which usually isn't good for the edge.

And the issue of 'infinitely more control' is purely one of individual technique. Haven't had any control issues with my Magna-Guide, vs. the type of holder used with the Aligner (which uses the same 'above the hone' grip as on the Gatco/Lansky, both of which I have used in the past). Holding the built-in handles on the Dia-Folds exactly duplicates the grip used when free-handing with them, which makes transitioning to free-hand that much easier. It's a very intuitive setup.

And, the Dia-Folds come in double-sided configurations, the Aligner hones don't. Only need 2 Dia-Folds for Coarse, Fine, EF, EEF. That's another 'portability' factor to consider.

These are both nice sharpeners, but I think the Magna-Guide & Dia-Fold combination is a more versatile setup overall.
 
listen im not trying to bicker about this... when sharpening on a diafold you either have to stop at the folded handle or sharpen away from them.. either way you cant go to the end... on the aligner you can hold the stone holder and make a flowing motion going from end to end ... thats all i meant....

the aligner and all the stones etc fit in a bag the size of a small fun size bag of chips.. and as to the portability factor most people i know sharpen at home...


and relying solely on any aligner or guided sharpening system in itself is flawed... the angles are just guides not exacts... bevels,burrs, etc still need to be worked and stropping etc..

listen we can go back and forth about every minute point or just agree to like diff things... i prefer the aligner system
 
... when sharpening on a diafold you either have to stop at the folded handle or sharpen away from them.. either way you cant go to the end... on the aligner you can hold the stone holder and make a flowing motion going from end to end ... thats all i meant....
Click to expand...

Yes, I get that. This is what I was referring to, in terms of 'individual technique'. I also use a 'flowing motion, end-to-(nearly)end', and lifting the hone away. It's a matter of adapting one's own technique to the tool, and each individual is going to adapt in their own, different way, and still produce good or even excellent results. I've never felt a need to sharpen away from the handles, at all (nor would I even want to).

And yes, most people do sharpen at home. But it's nice to have the convenience of dropping the Dia-Folds in a back pocket, and taking them with me (and I do, on occasion).

I don't recall saying anything about relying solely on one system, although there's nothing wrong in that. The 'flawed' characterization, of relying on one tool only, is again about personal technique (and preference). It's only as flawed as the effort put into it. Those who make the most of learning how to use one particular tool, can do great work with it, in the end. The Magna-Guide is only one of several tools that I've worked with; it has it's place & purpose. I use it to quickly put a better bevel on newly-acquired knives that otherwise don't have a good bevel. Everything done on the blade after that, gets done free-hand (burr removal, touching up, stropping, convexing, etc.).
 
anyways...... (facepalm) enjoy whichever sharpener you decide on :) try PMing obsessed he seems to know anything you might want to know..
 
furfmonkey, you came in "bickering" as you put it, because you say the aligner is better, then you changed it to what you prefer. Let's just say that yours is the better of the two okay?

That said, I agree with Obsessed with Edges and add the I prefer to use the handles & have my hands away from the blade & hone while using the Magna-guide.

In regard to portablility you can carry your kit around in a bag swinging from your belt or rolling around in your kit. I like the portability of tossing the coarse/fine hones in a neat folded up stick inside my bag when camping or traveling.

If you want to carry one or two hones and freehand with them then you have to palm the hone or hold it somehow in a precarious way to accomplish this. The use of the Aligner kit or single hones, both put your hand right on top of the edge, during the sharpening procedure. :)
 
is it really necessary to continue this? let the man decide... move on

as to the safety issue, the only way you can hurt yourself with a guided sharpening system is by using it incorrectly..

anyways i hope you enjoy whatever you buy Mcoe01,and good luck
 
Last edited:
furfmonkey said:
is it really necessary to continue this? let the man decide... move on
Click to expand...

As long as is needed, yes. You barged in with your pictorial calling me out personally regarding my post. You've been answered twice, your points addressed specifically by two members. You were not agreed with, but you proceed as if "I'm/we're" throwing this thread out of order. Now you post this baloney above. I suggest you recommend another sharpener, add something useful to the thread or push off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top