Invest In A Sharpening System or a New Knife?

B

Billy12241

Joined
Apr 8, 2011
Messages
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Hi all, I'm trying to decide what to use some Christmas money on and it's come down to two things. I've been eyeballing this knife(ZT 0550) and it'd be my first of that brand, but I was wondering if I should hold off on that for a bit and upgrade from my Smith's 3 in 1(Lower end Spyderco Sharpmaker) and get something like the Apex Edge Pro. My question to you all is do systems such as the Apex have significantly better results than say a sharpmaker, or should I just stick with the Smith's and get a new knife?
 
How funny! I was in the same boat as you this morning. I ended up buying a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a Zero Tolerance 0550 (as well as a few other knives). I thought about investing in the EP, but I figured for $50.00 I would try out the SM before I shell out the big bucks.
 
I'd go with the sharpening system IMO it pays in the long run to be able to correctly and easily sharpen your knives.
 
Sharpmaker...pays for itself over time. I have had mine for over 5 years and even though I use belt sanders and stones its still my go to pocket knife/touch up system.
 
Regardless of sharpening method, when you can put a razor edge on your knife it breathes new life into the knife. Sharpening can easily become more addicting than collecting and you learn to appreciate knives and steels in a new way. I found the quality of the stones and strops you use improve the edge you can put on drastically. I do plan on getting the EP myself - it's nice to know exactly the angle you're putting on the edge, and repeating it consistently. I still think everyone should learn how to freehand sharpen; if required it does let you put on a decent edge with some very crude materials.
 
Some people have really good luck with the Sharpmaker...My results were slightly better than fair. Don't get me wrong, the Sharpmaker is a fantastic tool, it served me well for over a year but In order to obtain a mirror polished edge you still have to strop. With the Edge Pro i can put a compound bevel on my blades in no time... Polished edge and all. The Edge Pro 4 kit is a little pricey but for me sharpening is 1/2 the fun of owning a blade. I look at it as an investment.

Best of luck with whichever route you plan on going.


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you need to be able to maintain your equipment, Period. Having a knife and not been able to make it shave the hair or your arm is no fun. Get something that allow you to maintain your knifes and take advantage of a sharp blade. You will buy more knives down the road
Cheers
 
I'd get a new knife and a 1000/4000 grit water stone. The best of both worlds! Then you can enjoy a new knife, maintain your existing knife collection, and not have to spend hundreds of dollars on an edge pro to do it!
 
I use my experience in and out of various kitchens as a baseline, even thought the cutting tasks are likely very different from what you have in mind.

I would choose a sharpening system that gets you to the "good or better" level- whatever that means to you- for me its shaving sharp to start. I find that even a poor quality knife with a decent edge is far more enjoyable to use, that a high quality which is either dull, or I'm in anyway concerned about dulling. The last is an important point to consider as some people avoid cutting tasks simply b/c they don't want to "muck up a nice knife". In my book that blasphemy unless you talking something that will chip or otherwise damage the blade, and in that case your likely using the wrong tool anyway.

So assuming you've got a least 1 "knice knife" that you really enjoy using- I'd go for the sharpening system. I also say this b/c it sounds like your current system isn't providing the results you want
 
Thank you all very much for the advice! And to "cleans up", my current system works well(can get most knives to shaving level, but that's with cheaper steel) but I'm worried because I got a few higher quality knives for Christmas(Benchmade Grip, Spyderco Paramilitary) and not sure it's going to be able to sharpen them without more time invested, if at all, since this system only comes with "fine rods".
 
This can be a very touchy subject, but since it hasn't been mentioned, I have had very good luck with the Wicked Edge sharpener. I tried the EdgePro first and find the WE easier to use. If you're getting into higher end steels, you may also appreciate that it comes with diamonds.

There are already many threads debating the merits of various sharpeners in the Maintenance subforum, and if you're thinking about plunking down good $$ for a sharpener I would definitely suggest spending the time to decide what will work best for you.
 
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