Help sharpening serrated edge.

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
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Hi all, wanted to hear suggestions on best way to sharpen spyderco se knives. I am looking at buying a couple of se knives, but im holding off because im not sure how I would go about sharpening them. I am using a dmt diafold on my pe knives...I guess I would have to get a different stone/system? I'm really not sure.

Also...one of the se blades I'm considering is the tasman salt, so the blade shape might present issues too?? I dunno. Any help appreciated.

Lance
 
Hi Lance. :) have you taken a look at the spyderco sharp-maker? That's what I see a lot of people using and they seem to have good results! I don't have any serrated knives or a sharp-maker (a sharp-maker and a fully serrated spyderco are on my "list" haha) so keep that in mind, maybe someone with firsthand expriance can chime in. :)

Kirby
 
I'd be surprised and disappointed, if Spyderco doesn't have a video or some other instruction online for sharpening their serrated edges on the Sharpmaker. I seem to think they do, but I can't remember. I'm going to look again, though...

(Edit) Here is Spyderco's own video (part 3, of a 4-part series), demonstrating how Sal Glesser does it:
[video=youtube;wAu1b9N4oC0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAu1b9N4oC0[/video]


I usually touch up serrated edges using a dowel with some wet/dry sandpaper wrapped around it, or sometimes with compound applied to the dowel. Use a stropping stroke (edge-trailing) in each individual serration. Sort of tedious, but it does the job. On the back (unbevelled) side of the serrations, a simpler heel-to-toe stropping stroke on the dowel will work. Keep pressure very light and make sure the angle is good, to avoid blunting the tips of the serrations.


David
 
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Hmm, I was hoping for a simpler freehand option. I'm happy using my dmt stones and I don't want to buy a $75 sharpener to sharpen one $50 se knife.
 
Surfingringo said:
Hmm, I was hoping for a simpler freehand option. I'm happy using my dmt stones and I don't want to buy a $75 sharpener to sharpen one $50 se knife.
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That's why I like the dowel & sandpaper. About as simple & basic as it gets. ;)

It works just as well, and in some cases, even better. More grit choices available, and the size of the dowel can be tailored to a specific size of serration. Use it essentially like a hand-held file, with the blade supported on the edge of a bench or any other steady surface or object, with the edge away from you. Just 'file' each serration one at a time with the abrasive moving away from the edge (moving into the edge may cut the paper). And as I mentioned before, a heel-to-toe stropping stroke works well on the back side.

Not much to lose in trying it. The sandpaper costs maybe $1 per sheet, and you can probably find a suitable dowel for free, or next-to-nothing. The round shank of a long screwdriver would also work well this way (and with a built-in handle :thumbup: ).


David
 
You could try finding the replacement spyderco triangle sticks and just use them to freehand. They would also make a nice touch up option following your dmt's.
 
I used a lansky dog bone for quite a long time when i bought my first spydie, its essentially a short triangular crock stick with rubber guards, it only comes in medium grit but its dirt cheap.
My tool of choice nowadays is a spyderco profile, i find it handier on SE than the sharpmaker. Too bad they discontinued these items.
 
The tapered DMT diamond rod is all you'll need. You can control the width of the serrations by how deep you go on the sharpener.
 
The Spyderco profile stones are still available separately. The two stone kit was discontinued.
 
mossyhorn said:
The tapered DMT diamond rod is all you'll need. You can control the width of the serrations by how deep you go on the sharpener.
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That sounds good. Any advice on technique? Move knife across the rod, or move rod on the serrations (like sharpening a chainsaw. Edge leading or trailing? What about flat/back side of the serrations?

Thanks in advance for help or suggestions.
 
The best results I have received when sharpening serrations is to use a ceramic on the backside to raise a burr then use a small buffer to polish the serrations.
 
I use the same method Jason. Its effective on the knives I see. Seems like the more you try to do to on them your just making work for yourself.
 
pjwoolw said:
I use the same method Jason. Its effective on the knives I see. Seems like the more you try to do to on them your just making work for yourself.
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Couldn't agree more, trying to sharpen the face of the serrations should be a last resort. If you distort them its very hard to bring them back.
 
Surfingringo said:
Hi all, wanted to hear suggestions on best way to sharpen spyderco se knives. I am looking at buying a couple of se knives, but im holding off because im not sure how I would go about sharpening them. I am using a dmt diafold on my pe knives...I guess I would have to get a different stone/system? I'm really not sure.

Also...one of the se blades I'm considering is the tasman salt, so the blade shape might present issues too?? I dunno. Any help appreciated.

Lance
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surfingringo, would you want to get your serrated edges looking like the fully serrated spyderco in this post? http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-is-important-to-you?p=11304482#post11304482
 
I'm still working on that technique Richard. It will come eventually.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Couldn't agree more, trying to sharpen the face of the serrations should be a last resort. If you distort them its very hard to bring them back.
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Example: So, lets say I buy a SE Pacific Salt user from the exchange and the serrations are completely dull. How would I go about fixing this?
 
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