Need a new sharpening system - Sharpmaker?

Ferahgo

Ferahgo

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Mar 6, 2014
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I am in need for a new sharpening system. I am willing to spend up to $75 for it. I have no specifications other then that yet. It will be used on all of my personal knives and the kitchen knives.
Thanks guys!

Edit: I did some reading up on it. Should I go for the Sharpmaker?
 
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I would recommend a lanskey. U can get a good bit of other accessories for it with a basic kit for $75 and just add as you go. I've used one for 10 years or better, I can't complain.
 
My only experience is with a system made by a company called KME. I've had very good results with it. I'm not sure how much it costs anymore though.
 
My only thing is the older stuff is always better, some of this new stuff is downright junk. Just watch for good materials.
 
DMT Magna Guide. I got a C-EEF kit for about $60 and it has been excellent so far. Another nod for the DMT Aligner. Just add on an XC stone and you are set for everything.
 
I have had a EdgePro (bought used, sold for more than I paid), Sharpmaker (bought used, still have), Harbor Freight 1x30 (still have but I read too much about ruining the temper of the micro-edge, so I went back to the Sharpmaker), a Norton India stone with coarse and fine sides.

You can't go wrong with the Sharpmaker, but you will need to learn the trick of clipping course sandpaper to the stones to do your reprofiling. The 'course' stones are very slow and if the factory edge is more obtuse than the Sharpmaker preset angle, you'll be frustrated that you are making stroke after stroke and just taking metal off the shoulder. (When the factory edge is less than the Sharpmaker preset angle, it works rather quickly.

I recently added the super fine stone.

If you don't like it, they hold their value and you can probably sell it here for a decent price without losing much. Even better if you find a used one.

I think everyone needs an India stone for axes, Scandi's and other tools.
 
The Sharpmaker certainly has an excellent reputation, but it is much better suited to touch-ups. Eventually you will need to reprofile a blade, or "back-bevel" as the Sharpmaker instructions call it, and even with the diamond sticks (which double the price of the system), it takes a long time.

I just started using a DMT aligner clamp, and it is fantastic. I am using it with sandpaper on plate glass, but you could get the complete aligner system, or use it with a bench stone. You still get great, reproducible angle control, but you have a lot more versatility in terms of grit selection.
 
Trout Hound said:
I just started using a DMT aligner clamp, and it is fantastic. I am using it with sandpaper on plate glass, but you could get the complete aligner system, or use it with a bench stone. You still get great, reproducible angle control, but you have a lot more versatility in terms of grit selection.
Click to expand...

I'm happy with the Sharpmaker but I like the looks of that DMT aligner clamp. Just watched the video and will have to read up on it a little more, but I might have to give it a try.
 
My sharpening system includes:

A coarse/fine silicon carbide stone, used under a stream of water in the kitchen sink. Paid about $10.
A 2000 grit stone, used the same way. Paid about $20, but that was in South Korea. I imagine you could get a nice stone in the 800-2000 grit range for about the same price stateside.
A leather strop with strop dressing, both of which I got at the local leather store. About $15.

All cheap and easily replaceable. It took some practice over the years, but it brings up a razor edge, and I don't have to worry about losing parts.

Yes, the stones dish out, but you can flatten them by rubbing them against other whetstones or on the sidewalk. I used to use diamond, but it gets dull. In my experience, the silicon carbide cuts faster, and the grit wears off to expose the sharp grit underneath.
 
I use a DMT aligner system with an additional Lansky clamp and base.The Lansky is easier to sharpen small pen blades.
 
Okay one thing I should throw in, diamond stones don't last forever but with a little proper care and use they will outlast most all traditional stones. The key with diamond stones is never go above medium pressure. Heavy pressure will just scrape the diamonds out of the plate, or fracture the diamonds down.
 
You have not used any really good arkies have you? Idk where everyone is getting that diamond stones last longer. I've burnt up at least 8 in the past 3 years, and they are dmts
 
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