Help: Sharpening Tools

[backpackboy]

Hey guys,

I'm new to knives. I just got two blades to bring out backpacking with me on my trips, and I need something reliable to sharpen them with.

I have no sharpening experience. I am sure I will continue buying knives, so an investment in good tools now is not a problem for me (max $60, I think).

The spyderco system caught my attention. What are everyone's thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[David Martin]

Backpack, Welcome to the maintenance forum . You may need a light dmt sharpener for to carry in your pack hiking and a better system at home with 2 or 3 grits . You'll need a very coarse stone, a medium and fine with a leather strop (100 grit, 300 and 600) . This is really all you need and learn to freehand sharpen . Youtube has videos as well as other sites . DM

 

[backpackboy]

So I take it you (and most people here) would recommend learning to sharpen by hand over the spyderco sharpmaker? Even for a newbie?

 

[rpttrsn]

IMO the Sharpmaker is a very good sharpening system to maintain your edge. Freehand will give you a better understanding on how to acquire a edge on your knife. You can re-profile your blade and change the angle fast freehand. There a many types of methods to get the edge you require. DMT makes some quality sharpening systems you can carry in your pack without much added weight. They are fast cutting to get you going again. I use many methods to sharpen from belt grinders, paper wheels (both motor driven sharpeners), Edge Pro, DMT, Spyderco, and assorted stones. They all work well. Best of luck in you journey to improving the edge on a knife.

 

[David Martin]

So I take it you (and most people here) would recommend learning to sharpen by hand over the spyderco sharpmaker? Even for a newbie?

Backpack, When backpacking/camping You'll need to learn to sharpen by hand at some point, so it may as well be from the start . The Lanskey kit (w/the diamond stones)is a good one to have at home or back at the vehicle but you may not want to pack it around . So, a two sided light 2X5" dmt sharpener coarse/fine is a good item to have in your pack but if you don't know how to use it, its useless . Hence, the reason for my recommendation .
Also, you still need a strop . So, there are some items here you need to learn to use inorder to make backpacking more enjoyable and you may as well begin the process inorder to be miles ahead by this fall when the weather is more suitable for camping . DM

 

[stitchawl]

So I take it you (and most people here) would recommend learning to sharpen by hand over the spyderco sharpmaker? Even for a newbie?

Not me! I recomend the DMT Aligner clamp. You can use it with stones, sandpaper or the guided rods of the DMT system. Using the system will give you, a newbie, excellent results every time. It will also teach you the fundamentals of sharping a blade so when you're ready and willing to spend some time learning to freehand, you'll know what you need to do. The Aligner clamp is very lightweight and I carry it in my backpack along with two-three different grits of sandpaper. Lightest way to get a perfect edge in the back beyond!

After you have sharpened all your knives, learned to freehand with stones, then you can invest in an EdgePro and REALLY get your knives sharp!! :thumbup:

Stitchawl

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

I think the Spyderco Sharpmaker would be an excellent choice for your sharpening needs. You can learn a lot from the video that comes with it and the system is very useful. When you go backpacking, if you are trying to save weight, you could just take one of each grit sharpening stone and use what you learned from the video and system which will be applicable to freehand sharpening.

 

[zyhano]

I agree, get some sort of guided system or the sharpmaker (I started with that) first, so you won't get frustrated initially and learn the basics.
When you gain understanding of sharpening and like it, that's the time to switch to other stuff.
SHarpmaker is not a waste of money IMO, even now I use it regularly

 

[JV3]

I think the Spyderco Sharpmaker would be an excellent choice for your sharpening needs. You can learn a lot from the video that comes with it and the system is very useful. When you go backpacking, if you are trying to save weight, you could just take one of each grit sharpening stone and use what you learned from the video and system which will be applicable to freehand sharpening.

i agree. the sharpmaker along with a strop (i have the bark river strop with green & black compound kit) practically guarantees that you'll get your knives shaving sharp with minimum skills & time. you can then flip the sharpmaker over and play with a beater knife to practice sharpening freehand. this setup prevents you from getting frustrated and giving up since you have something to fall back on.

since you're new to knives i'm betting, at least in the near future, you won't have the patience to learn to freehand sharpen since you'll be excited and spend a lot of time playing with them and buying a lot more. that was the case with me anyway when i first got started with knives & hiking.