How do I use my Sharpmaker 204MF?

J

Jackal

Basic Member
Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
1,835
Sorry, I know this topic has been covered MANY times before, but I need some help here. I have NEVER had any luck sharpening a knife using any system, not even after good ol' grandpa showed me how. I just ordered a new 204MF Spyderco Sharpmaker and I hope, from what I've heard, that I will be able to use this system and one day become as good a the great Joe T.
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So, if I have the sharpmaker, a roll of 3M masking tape, a few good test subjects, and a lot of practice, should I be able to do this on my own? Any advice? I've already read Joe T.'s sharpening FAQ and will do so again. I can only think of one way to make this "hobby" even funner, and that would be to have the ability to maintain an edge on my own knives. I think this is why I only carry my knives and never use them.
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Even though I have several customs. So, any advice? This would really make me happy...just think, I can actually put these knives to some USE!!!
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-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322
 
The 204MF comes with a nicely done instruction book that walks you through close to every type of knife grind or any other sharp instrument you may ever need to sharpen. If that's not enough, it also comes with a video that basically walks you through most any sharpening situation. I have been using the 203 for several years and recently got a 204MF. It is darn easy to use, so you should have no problem with it at all. Great sharpener and teaching book/video.
 
Thanks for the info. Felix.

-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322
 
I also just got my 204 a week ago. It's a great system and very easy to use. After watching the video and only glancing at the instruction brochure, I started sharpening with very good results. I really should study the brochure more, but the video pretty much explains everything. Perhaps you can start practising sharpening with some more 'expendable knives' you may have, to see how the system works. I did that first on a CS tanto voyager to get the hang of the system, and have no worries to use the 204 on my Sebenza. Also, I find that the 204 does not make any scratches on the blade, which I previously thought could happen. Good luck.
 
What's the masking tape for??
The directions are simple and straight forward. one thing I overlooked first time through- height of bench or table.
My workbench was a little too high for best results. When I reread the instructions before throwing them away (how's that for confidence?) I switched to a lower table resulting in less effort.
I have good quality stones and know how to use them, but find them almost unnecessary these days.
 
Jackyl,

The only thing I would add is that there is no magic number regarding the number of strokes to do on a given knife.

If you think it should be twenty and it's not sharp yet, you may think you did something wrong, when in fact, the hone just hasn't ground all the way to the edge yet.

It takes patience and a degree of fortitude to get results with some knives. Don't doubt yourself, just work on it until you feel the results, whether you use the "burr" method, or alternating strokes.

I use diamond hones to make getting to the edge a bit quicker when the ceramic sticks seem to be taking too long. Then I usually switch back to the Spydie for the rest of the job.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out for you.

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Live Free or Die

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The masking tape, I figured, would help to protect the blade from being scratched until I get the hang of it. Thanks all!!!

-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322
 
Ditto Mr Blonde re: trying it out first on "expendable" knives. Doubtless you (or someone you know) have extra blades in your kitchen. Even a butterknife -- you can sharpen the spine if you don't want to bother with the teeny serrations.

Also, as Blues notes, there is indeed no hard and fast number for strokes. The one thing the video (or booklet) cannot convey is the amount of pressure you exert. I think Sal, in the video, says something vague like, "most people can figure it out quickly" -- and you probably will. But err on the side of LIGHTER rather than harder strokes when starting off.

...Of course, if you're curious about just how *much* steel can be removed by the stones, and just how quickly -- well, that's what that butterknife is for!

Happy holidays and happy (NOT apocalyptic!) new year to all --

Glen
 
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