Looking for a new guided sharpener.

T

TheEdge01

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Apr 3, 2015
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As the title suggests, I am looking for a new guided sharpener. I am currently using the Spyderco Sharpmaker. It does a great job, but it is set up for 30 and 40 degree angles. Most of the time when I try to sharpen a new knife, I have to turn the edge in or away from the rods because the Sharpmaker is limited to those two angles, and it just feels awkward to use.
I would like to have a sharpening system that allows me to secure the blade and sharpen it at a consistent angle. I seen a sharpener demo on the Dozier web site but I can't seem to find it for sale anywhere. I would like to keep the price range around 80 dollars. Any info or recommendations? Thanks
 
Build your own that can use Edge Pro stones, and invest money into the stones over time. I built this one I use with billet aluminum and stainless steel. It cost me under $60 in materials and can achieve as low as a 3 degree bevel. I use bonded diamond & Shapton Glass stones. And YES! I am a professional knifemaker and sharpener.


http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/davidhoback1/media/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg.html][/URL]
 
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I use the kme system now but before that it was lansky system for me. I don't have the capability to build my own well so I went with a prebuilt option and love it
 
You can build one even cheaper though. You have to separate your thinking from "the machine" itself. The importance lies in the stones for the most part. The machine simply must hold the blade & stone at an appropriate angle, which can be adjusted. This part is easy! I use neodymium magnets to hold the blade in place. This is how I can achieve such low angles.
 
totkst1 said:
I use the kme system now but before that it was lansky system for me. I don't have the capability to build my own well so I went with a prebuilt option and love it
Click to expand...


There is no "I can't"! If you can sharpen a knife, you can build your own! Totkst1, I'm disabled and my left arm/hand is paralyzed. But I make custom knives, I made this sharpener, I turned my 2x48 belt grinder into a 2x72 one, I weld, I build firearms & gunsmithing and I reload!

If I had told myself "I can't", do you think I would ever have done any of this?
 
TheEdge01 said:
I seen a sharpener demo on the Dozier web site but I can't seem to find it for sale anywhere.
Click to expand...

FWIW... the sharpener in the Dozier demo is a DMT Aligner. You can get it with stones that fit it, or just the guide and use it with bench stones.
 
DavidHoback said:
There is no "I can't"! If you can sharpen a knife, you can build your own! Totkst1, I'm disabled and my left arm/hand is paralyzed. But I make custom knives, I made this sharpener, I turned my 2x48 belt grinder into a 2x72 one, I weld, I build firearms & gunsmithing and I reload!

If I had told myself "I can't", do you think I would ever have done any of this?
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Ability and Capability are two different things. The OP may not have the tools needed or the desire to take on the project of building his own. Plus, he'd be almost all in toward his $80 budget and would still need to by stones. And if he needs to buy tools, that an extra cost. While I agree with the idea or making your own, it's not always feasible for everyone.
 
OP, I would take a look at the Lansky system. It can do a great job and it's within your budget. Get the set with the Diamond stones.
 
DavidHoback said:
Build your own that can use Edge Pro stones, and invest money into the stones over time. I built this one I use with billet aluminum and stainless steel. It cost me under $60 in materials and can achieve as low as a 3 degree bevel. I use bonded diamond & Shapton Glass stones. And YES! I am a professional knifemaker and sharpener.


http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/davidhoback1/media/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg.html][/URL]
Click to expand...

You sir have been blessed with talent. I'm not a very mechanical person, so your sharpener would be difficult for me to build unless I have instructions.
 
I use a simple angle guide (Buck Honemaster No. 136) that I bought around 30 years ago. It clamps to the back of the blade. Doubt it's still made, but you can find similar guides (Google). I sharpen freehand and occasionally use the honemaster to reprofile an edge.
 
TheEdge01 said:
As the title suggests, I am looking for a new guided sharpener. I am currently using the Spyderco Sharpmaker. It does a great job, but it is set up for 30 and 40 degree angles. Most of the time when I try to sharpen a new knife, I have to turn the edge in or away from the rods because the Sharpmaker is limited to those two angles, and it just feels awkward to use.
I would like to have a sharpening system that allows me to secure the blade and sharpen it at a consistent angle. I seen a sharpener demo on the Dozier web site but I can't seem to find it for sale anywhere. I would like to keep the price range around 80 dollars. Any info or recommendations? Thanks
Click to expand...
Hi,
So you're saying you want an angle bigger than 40 degrees or lower than 30?
Tilt the sharpmaker instead of your hand,
put a coin or coins under one corner,
or make a see saw like pictured below
with a pencil or the brass rod or one of the sharpmaker triangles,
it gets you both higher and lower angles depending on which side you use,
and just hold knife vertical/perpendicular as normal
from Tilting the sharpmaker - Spyderco Forums
IMG_19671.jpg

IMG_19651.jpg



update: you can also make a new holder for your sharpmaker stones from three cardboard boxes and some glue/ducktape , just glue two vertically like goal posts, then poke a hole (a notch, a triangle) in the upright and the bottom box so the stones stay put
 
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DavidHoback said:
There is no "I can't"! If you can sharpen a knife, you can build your own! Totkst1, I'm disabled and my left arm/hand is paralyzed. But I make custom knives, I made this sharpener, I turned my 2x48 belt grinder into a 2x72 one, I weld, I build firearms & gunsmithing and I reload!

If I had told myself "I can't", do you think I would ever have done any of this?
Click to expand...
True but by can't I meant the resources and supplies and tools to do such. Not many places where I live to buy the materials
 
bucketstove said:
Hi,
So you're saying you want an angle bigger than 40 degrees or lower than 30?
Tilt the sharpmaker instead of your hand,
put a coin or coins under one corner,
or make a see saw like pictured below
with a pencil or the brass rod or one of the sharpmaker triangles,
it gets you both higher and lower angles depending on which side you use,
and just hold knife vertical/perpendicular as normal
from Tilting the sharpmaker - Spyderco Forums
IMG_19671.jpg

IMG_19651.jpg



update: you can also make a new holder for your sharpmaker stones from three cardboard boxes and some glue/ducktape , just glue two vertically like goal posts, then poke a hole (a notch, a triangle) in the upright and the bottom box so the stones stay put
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will have to give this a try.
 
bucketstove said:
Hi,

update: you can also make a new holder for your sharpmaker stones from three cardboard boxes and some glue/ducktape , just glue two vertically like goal posts, then poke a hole (a notch, a triangle) in the upright and the bottom box so the stones stay put
Click to expand...

Not sure I am picturing what you are describing. Can you post up a pic?
 
F308gt4 said:
Not sure I am picturing what you are describing. Can you post up a pic?
Click to expand...
Instead of leaning one stones against a wall,
to maintain the sharpmaker way of stones side by side,
just glue/tape some cardboard/boxes together, then lean the rods at the angle you want, then poke a hole/triangle notch top/botton so they dont move around
like a craft project instead of woodshop :)
cardboard-sharpmaker-stone-holder.png
96ENEt8.png
 
Here is my travel line
Spyderco sharp maker 1998 to 2013
Wanted to upgrade (went all out)
Bought wicked edge pp2 with suitcase
Read forums, bought strips, diamond sprays
System does work well (excellent for me)
Once in awhile I'll reprofile a blade on the wicked edge to use on my sharp maker
Back to using sharpmaker and a two sided strop
40 and 30 inclusive covers my uses
Have fun on your journey sir wherever it takes you
Please don't tilt the angle of your sharp maker... I was drinking a beer on a balcony in some crappy apartment complex in Modesto California watching some tweaker in the parking lot rewire his stereo (at night) with a bic lighter. I don't know if he put coins under his sharpmaker or not just don't do it
 
bucketstove said:
Instead of leaning one stones against a wall,
to maintain the sharpmaker way of stones side by side,
just glue/tape some cardboard/boxes together, then lean the rods at the angle you want, then poke a hole/triangle notch top/botton so they dont move around
like a craft project instead of woodshop :)
cardboard-sharpmaker-stone-holder.png
96ENEt8.png
Click to expand...

Ahh, gotcha. I did something using wood to allow me to use a DMT diafold at a 30 degree angle.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/f308gt4/20170430_191642.jpg
 
for your price range - and not making anything for yourself - I would also recommend the lansky
 
Yes, with your criteria, I would also vouch for the Lansky. Although, from having both in the past, the DMT seemed to be of higher overall quality. Let us know when you decide.
 
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