help me spend my $250 on a sharpening solution

[tiguy7]

Start out with flea market knives from the dollar box. I like to stand while sharpening long knives so I can rotate my torso at the waist. The shorter knives I do sitting, using arm motion only. Flip your stones end for end from time to time to even up the wear.
If you don’t feel like rotating your vise 180 degrees, just walk around the table.

 

[ekastanis]

Thanks T tiguy7 ! I’ve reprofiled knives freehand (slowly but surely) with the stone horizontal on a table. I’m just keen to try this new-to-me sharpmaker style method, which just like anything will have its advantages and drawbacks. Since I already had all the stones and the stone holder, all I’m into for this is the vise, which will have multiple uses, and I seldom pass up an excuse to get a new tool.

 

[Digvideo]

I just realized I have about $250.00 in gift cards at a large internut retailer that needs to be spent at some point. Been wanting a sharpening system for a while. I'm leaning to the Sharpmaker. Need to be able to sharpen up to M4, M390, S110v, 20cv but also basics like 440c. Give me your opinions! Mahalo in advance!

For that amount on Money, you can get the Ken Onion Worksharp with the Grinding Attachment. You will have your best results with using the Onion belt set and avoiding cheaper assortments. For me to move up from the Onion, and I dont really need to, I might get a Tormek. You can freehand with the Grinding attachment after setting your grind angle, start out with cheaper knives. Good luck!