just got my SM 204 yesterday...

allyourblood

allyourblood

Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
2,432
WOW. that's all i can say. i didn't quite expect sharpening to be this easy. i put a shaving-sharp edge on all of my duller knives in about a half hour, total. my 1660ST Leek, an Opinel, a Schrade Old Timer (all three blades are like razors now!), and my stepdad's Scallion. his knife was the most impressive. it was quite literally like a butterknife when he handed it to me. i ran it across my fingertip with pressure, with no worries. took it to my 204, and handed it back to him. he shaved some of the hair on his arm.

simply amazing. thanks Sal & Co.!!!

abe m.
 
I agree.A really great system.Before I got mine I would sit and try to sharpen a super steel knife free hand and wear awy more stone than steel.
 
I got mine last week and tried it out. After a few hours of trying to get my Delica VG-10 to the 30 degree angle, I lost my tip I love and put some tiny chips in the blade near the handle where I accidently struck the top of the sticks. I sent an email to Spyderco a few days ago but have not gotten a reply to see if they can fix it. The only part of the blade that is "scary sharp" is the second quarter from the tip. 1/2" from the tip is very dull, then the next 1/2" is sharp, then the rest of the blade is dull. It wont cut anything.
 
that's odd, mistakaroo. my VG-10 Delica practically made out with the 204, and took up a 30 degree edge in no time (well, literally 10 mins. or so). it sounds as though you may have been rushing the sharpening process, resulting in a few accidental whacks on the stone tips. as Sal has mentioned before, a slow and steady hand will win out. pressing very hard also won't get you done any faster. if this isn't the case, then i'm sorry. i'm sure Spyderco will help you in your dilemma.

MadAxeMan, you're gonna love it. WATCH THE VIDEO & READ THE BOOK. you just can't go wrong. my only piece of advice to you is the same thing i was told by everyone else: watch the tip of your blade carefully. sharpen gently and make your slices against the stones firm and deliberate. otherwise, you risk rounding the tip of the blade when you pull away from the stones. i did this ever so slightly to one my knives, and once i made a special note of it, it hasn't happened since.

abe m.
 
I just purchased a 204 off eBay myself. I've been wanting one for while. I can't wait to put it to use.
 
Originally posted by allyourblood
that's odd, mistakaroo. my VG-10 Delica practically made out with the 204, and took up a 30 degree edge in no time (well, literally 10 mins. or so). it sounds as though you may have been rushing the sharpening process, resulting in a few accidental whacks on the stone tips. as Sal has mentioned before, a slow and steady hand will win out. pressing very hard also won't get you done any faster. if this isn't the case, then i'm sorry. i'm sure Spyderco will help you in your dilemma.
Click to expand...

I've gotta say, my VG-10 full-serrated Viele also came away sharper-than-factory from its encounter with the Sharpmaker's standard stones, according to Sal's video and directions.

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
I really don't have enough practice with my SharpMaker, but I do have a quesiton. Could you folks describe the direction of stroke on the stone? In other words, do you pull directly back toward you, or do you "cut" down the stone? I've tried to mimic what Sal does on the video, but I'm not having any luck.

Thanks.
 
Speed Racer, you actually do both. start with the base of the blade against the stone (closest to the handle), and as you pull the length of the blade back, use a downward cutting motion. just pretend you're cutting a big turkey, or a bagel or something. at the end of your stroke, the tip should be at the stone.

abe m.
 
Stop right before you reach the tip and sharpen it on the flat side. I learned the hard way.
 
Originally posted by DumboRAT
I've gotta say, my VG-10 full-serrated Viele also came away sharper-than-factory from its encounter with the Sharpmaker's standard stones, according to Sal's video and directions.

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I could never put a really shaving sharp edge on my SE VG-10 Delica :( I guess there's something I'm doing wrong... The best results I obtained so far were by sharpening each and every serration separately. Needs more time and concentration but the edge is more uniform (yet not perfect) :(.
Otherwise, the 204 is great indeed.
 
Originally posted by dialex
Unfortunately, I could never put a really shaving sharp edge on my SE VG-10 Delica :( I guess there's something I'm doing wrong... The best results I obtained so far were by sharpening each and every serration separately. Needs more time and concentration but the edge is more uniform (yet not perfect) :(.
Otherwise, the 204 is great indeed.
Click to expand...
Should work with White stone corner, and one stroke on each side...
 
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