OK guys & gals I know we have hashed this subject out before but it still seems like there is a lot of difference of opinion about how to sharpen and maintain Hawkbill blades.
For the record for those of you who don't know me and are not familiar with my dedication to Spyderco Hawkbill knives; for the record I am an avid Hawkbill user as well as a collector of Hawkbill blades. I probably use a Hawkbill much more than most people use a standard, conventional folder. Thus I find the need to sharpen Hawkbills much more than that of most knife users. I have used the 204 Sharpmaker and it has fairly good mixed results and keep in mind that I am probably one of the biggest fans of the 204 unit along with all of Spyderco's other great sharpening tools. But re-profiling and putting on that final scary sharp edge to a Hawkbill is a whole different chore than doing it to a standard blade design. Also putting on the final super sharp finish that I demand on a Hawkbill blade is a challenge of it's own. Out of all my knives the Hawkbills are the ones that I find to be the most tedious to sharpen. The different geometry somewhat changes the rules of the game so to speak
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My latest experimental success has evolved around using a stone that I have out of an older Spyderco sharpener that I have owned for years and used for a myriad of sharpening chores. I am referring to the stones that come with the GALLEY V sharpener that Spyderco sold in the late nineties and early 2000 era. The "Cat's Eye" shaped ceramic stones seem to contour to the Hawkbill about as good as anything I have used up till now. I have also had some of my better success with my Spyderco 701 Profile kit. I truly wish that both stone shapes would be offered in the "ULTRA-FINE" grit as well as fine & medium.
I have heard that DMT has recently introduced a new eliptical shaped diamond stone that they use in one of their sharpening systems that has had great reviews for sharpening Hawkbills and other un-conventional blade shapes. But let's put our heads together and talk about this some more. I am sure that between all of us here who frequent the "Toolshed" section of this great Forum that we can come up with something. I am all ears and I am totally open to other products other than Spyderco's. Also I hope that Mr. Glesser himself chimes in on this one because I truly think that this subject of sharpening Hawkbills is one base that needs to be covered more than it has up till now. I also think that new hardware for this job might be worth considering.
For the record for those of you who don't know me and are not familiar with my dedication to Spyderco Hawkbill knives; for the record I am an avid Hawkbill user as well as a collector of Hawkbill blades. I probably use a Hawkbill much more than most people use a standard, conventional folder. Thus I find the need to sharpen Hawkbills much more than that of most knife users. I have used the 204 Sharpmaker and it has fairly good mixed results and keep in mind that I am probably one of the biggest fans of the 204 unit along with all of Spyderco's other great sharpening tools. But re-profiling and putting on that final scary sharp edge to a Hawkbill is a whole different chore than doing it to a standard blade design. Also putting on the final super sharp finish that I demand on a Hawkbill blade is a challenge of it's own. Out of all my knives the Hawkbills are the ones that I find to be the most tedious to sharpen. The different geometry somewhat changes the rules of the game so to speak
. My latest experimental success has evolved around using a stone that I have out of an older Spyderco sharpener that I have owned for years and used for a myriad of sharpening chores. I am referring to the stones that come with the GALLEY V sharpener that Spyderco sold in the late nineties and early 2000 era. The "Cat's Eye" shaped ceramic stones seem to contour to the Hawkbill about as good as anything I have used up till now. I have also had some of my better success with my Spyderco 701 Profile kit. I truly wish that both stone shapes would be offered in the "ULTRA-FINE" grit as well as fine & medium.
I have heard that DMT has recently introduced a new eliptical shaped diamond stone that they use in one of their sharpening systems that has had great reviews for sharpening Hawkbills and other un-conventional blade shapes. But let's put our heads together and talk about this some more. I am sure that between all of us here who frequent the "Toolshed" section of this great Forum that we can come up with something. I am all ears and I am totally open to other products other than Spyderco's. Also I hope that Mr. Glesser himself chimes in on this one because I truly think that this subject of sharpening Hawkbills is one base that needs to be covered more than it has up till now. I also think that new hardware for this job might be worth considering.