- Joined
- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 2,496
Hey BF,
I was recently gifted a Schatt & Morgan with CPM 154 steel and was pretty happy with the gift. Beatiful knife but honestly, it couldn't cut butter. Worst factory edge on a knife I've ever seen.
So I started on this thing with my Sharpmaker and after several sessions over a week, it was kind of sharp. Really disappointing overall and while I think I can put a pretty nasty edge on a sharp knife, I realized that I either didn't have the skill and or right equipment to do the job.
After checking with a few guys on here, I could have had someone else put a razor edge on my knife for me for a reasonable price but honestly, that felt like a cheat.
After some research, I agree the Sharpmaker is great at keeping sharp knives that way but it just doesn't work well with dull knives and tough steel.
So, logically, it was time to upgrade. Wicked, Apex or KME? I don't think you can go wrong with any of them but I decided on the KME. Overall, it is well built, easy to use and with the four included diamond stones, I was finally able to get the S&M razor sharp. It took some time and while I should have repro filed it, I didn't. I did find that the original grind was close to 28 degrees per side, no wonder I had such a hard time with the Sharpmaker.
Anyway, in my research for a new sharpener, I was forced to learn a little more about edge geometry than I knew before. I really think I'll think about sharpening in a different way going forward. Not sure that I'll go after mirrored edges, but I think an Arkansas stone and a strop will be additions to the KME kit at some point.
I also sharpened a VG 10 Spyderco that I had totally dulled cutting down boxes. I was,amazed at how fast the KME took that damn dull blade and turned it into a razor.
Sorry for the long post, but if anyone is thinking about, or needing to step up their sharpening game, for me it was worth it. I don't think the Sharpmaker will be relegated to the trash heap as it does well for fast touch ups but now I have another tool to tackle stubborn edges with. I also like that it forced me to learn a little more too.
Just trying to pass on my learnings if anyone is interested.
Thanks for reading it.
Kreyzhorse
I was recently gifted a Schatt & Morgan with CPM 154 steel and was pretty happy with the gift. Beatiful knife but honestly, it couldn't cut butter. Worst factory edge on a knife I've ever seen.
So I started on this thing with my Sharpmaker and after several sessions over a week, it was kind of sharp. Really disappointing overall and while I think I can put a pretty nasty edge on a sharp knife, I realized that I either didn't have the skill and or right equipment to do the job.
After checking with a few guys on here, I could have had someone else put a razor edge on my knife for me for a reasonable price but honestly, that felt like a cheat.
After some research, I agree the Sharpmaker is great at keeping sharp knives that way but it just doesn't work well with dull knives and tough steel.
So, logically, it was time to upgrade. Wicked, Apex or KME? I don't think you can go wrong with any of them but I decided on the KME. Overall, it is well built, easy to use and with the four included diamond stones, I was finally able to get the S&M razor sharp. It took some time and while I should have repro filed it, I didn't. I did find that the original grind was close to 28 degrees per side, no wonder I had such a hard time with the Sharpmaker.
Anyway, in my research for a new sharpener, I was forced to learn a little more about edge geometry than I knew before. I really think I'll think about sharpening in a different way going forward. Not sure that I'll go after mirrored edges, but I think an Arkansas stone and a strop will be additions to the KME kit at some point.
I also sharpened a VG 10 Spyderco that I had totally dulled cutting down boxes. I was,amazed at how fast the KME took that damn dull blade and turned it into a razor.
Sorry for the long post, but if anyone is thinking about, or needing to step up their sharpening game, for me it was worth it. I don't think the Sharpmaker will be relegated to the trash heap as it does well for fast touch ups but now I have another tool to tackle stubborn edges with. I also like that it forced me to learn a little more too.
Just trying to pass on my learnings if anyone is interested.
Thanks for reading it.
Kreyzhorse
