Kershaw Ultra-Tek sharpener?

[poonchasta]

I have a few decent knives, and I am looking into sharpening products so that i can start maintaining my blades. The instructions that came with my Kershaw knives said that all I would need to sharpen them would be the Kershaw Ultra-Tek sharpener. I was just curious as to what anyone who has used this sharpener thinks of it. Is this sharpener alone really enough to keep your knives sharp? I'm not talking about super-hair-popping sharp. I just want to keep my knives decently sharp. If you guys think that this is not enough, then I will probably just get a Spyderco Sharpmaker when I have enough money. Thanks for your advice.

 

[ziptrickhead]

Personally I dont like oval sharpener and I prefer a flat surface. Reason being that for it its easier to match up the bevel with the surface if theres more surface contact. Its at 600 grit so if I were you I would just get a fine DMT. Ive never used the kershaw sharpener so I cant tell you how well it works. I HAVE used the DMT (its basically what i still use now) and it works great. I cant get my knives super hair popping sharp with the fine DMT but at least my knives still shave. I find myself using my DMT for freehand sharpening now more than my sharpmaker because my EDC is a BM 551 and the bevels dont match with the sharpmaker angles. Still, I use the sharpmaker as a stone and use that to get my knives a bit sharper.

 

[Peter_E_Ryt]

An oval sharpener will work, but the bevels will take more work to keep even and you won't have the convinience of multiple grits either. I used to sharpen exclusively on a 600ish grit handheld crock stick, and it's nothing near as nice as the sharpmaker (which I just recently acquired).

 

[krazichinaman]

Just get the sharpmaker. The reason that it states all you need is that product is because they are just trying to get you to purchase it. There is a reason why the sharpmaker is one of the most talked about items on this website and manyothers.

 

[vic2367]

ill second the sharpmaker,,,,

 

[dextersp1]

poonchasta ,
I am courious what you decided. I think the Sharpmaker is great for home use.
But I was wondering if the Ultra-tek would be good for sharpening when you are camping.

 

[Glytch5]

I got the Ultra-tek sharpener! I did what you did and read the manual, went online a bought one. I also own a sharpmaker with ultrafine stones, and a knife steel. The ultra tek does work... but it is NOT for the beginner sharpener. I seriously messed up my kershaw leek on that thing when I did not know what I was doing. I use the ultra tek when I want quick results, and just swiping my knife on my steel is not enough. The 600 grit diamond will get you an okay edge. I do about 4-6 swipes on each side with the Ultratek, then hit 2-3 on each side of my steel and I usually have a decent, serrated style edge enough to just shave hair a little bit. The kershaw manual says "bring back that razor sharp edge" eh... don't think so. If you already bought it, don't give it away but its not the best. It IS good for field sharpening like at the camp side as you said though. Good luck!