NEED HELP : cheap sharpmaker ?

R

radu1976

Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
79
Hi everyone,
I would need a sharpmaker in the future as I am planning to buy a few knives.
The recommended one seems to be the SPYDERCO sharpmaker but than can be quite expensive for me : 35-40$ + 10$ shipping to Canada ...
I saw that on e-bay :
http://cgi.ebay.com/Knife-Sharpener...|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:200
Would this be good for knives with ATS-34 , S30V and AUS-8 steel blades ?
I have seen a kind of screwdriver for sharpening the knives at LIQUIDATION DEPOT for only 2$ ...but I am wondering if that would be good for good quality folders ??!!
Any opinion would be much appreciated ! Thank you !
 
The whole point of the Sharpmaker system is that it provides you with a means of holding the hones at the proper angle, to promote consistency in your sharpening strokes. You can buy a single crock stick (or any rod sharpener), yes, and you can find plenty that are a lot less expensive than the Tri-Angle system, but you're not getting the same thing. If you're experienced with free-hand sharpening, it won't matter, of course, but there's a difference between having just any hone and owning an angle-oriented system like a Sharpmaker or a Lansky.
 
To me, there can be no compromise when it comes to sharpening my knives. Still, I have yet to purchase the ultimate sharpening system for myself, the EdgePro. At over $300 USD, it's hard for me to pull the trigger. That said, whatever is used, the angle is most important. I have the Spyderco Sharpmaker. It works fine as long as the edge on my blades are 30 or 40 degrees inclusive. If they're not, the Sharpmaker is not the best tool for putting a new angle on the blade.

Sorry I can't help answer your question more deliberately. Sharpening is somewhat an art and science at the same time.

If you're planning on purchasing a quality blade with the steels you mentioned, my advice is invest in a good sharpening system. Don't skimp on that.
 
I myself love the convenience of my Sharpmaker. For the majority of my blades, I hone freehand using a variety of DMT bench stones; I started out on the SharpMaker and progressed. It touches up knives quickly, and is very easy to use. With the coarse rods, it can sharpen some of the dullest---with the diamond rods, there's very limited cases where it's not effective.

It's a good starting sharpener, and you will appreciate it. My SharpMaker works just fine on many excellent steels---ZDP-189, S30V, 154CM, etc. Well worth the money for an amateur sharpener. :thumbup:
 
My 79 year old dad has sharpened his slipjoints on sandpaper since the beginning of time, and they are plenty sharp and usable. Might not pass muster with the sharpening snobs here :), but it works. So, there are plenty of options out the that won't break your bank account.

:thumbup:
 
The Sharpmaker, even though you might consider it expensive, is about the best sharpening system you are going to get for the price. It can sharpen a lot more things than just knives too.

You can even set it up to sharpen freehand if you want. Very clever, very versatile. Don't scrimp on your tools, for $50 or so you will be getting a quality product.
 
They're a pain to clean when using the sharp side of the stones; however, they can be turned and rearranged to sharpen your knives. Stropping also helps stabilize the blade's sharpness and keep it sharp longer.

I've never been much good at free handing and I envy people who can do it expertly. Still, the Sharpmaker is a good system. For a sharper edge, a number of people have recommended putting something like a checkbook under the end of Sharpmaker. Swipe it about seven or eight times, turn it around and put the checkbook under the other side and repeat. It's supposed to decrease the angle.
 
Confederate said:
They're a pain to clean when using the sharp side of the stones; however, they can be turned and rearranged to sharpen your knives. Stropping also helps stabilize the blade's sharpness and keep it sharp longer.
Click to expand...

The rods are very easy to clean. Get yourself a pencil eraser. Every now and then, while you are sharpening, simply rub the eraser up and down the rod a few times. Cleans it up nicely. For a good clean simply wash the rods in warm water using a nylon scouring pad.

Confederate said:
I've never been much good at free handing and I envy people who can do it expertly. Still, the Sharpmaker is a good system. For a sharper edge, a number of people have recommended putting something like a checkbook under the end of Sharpmaker. Swipe it about seven or eight times, turn it around and put the checkbook under the other side and repeat. It's supposed to decrease the angle.
Click to expand...

What you're talking about here is reprofiling and creating a back grind and a micro bevel primary grind. This is easy to do. Simply sharpen the knife using the 30 degree setting then put the micro bevel on it using the 40 degree setting. I do exactly this with my Sebenza and SnG. The Sebbie slices like a scalpel. :)



.
 
radu1976 said:
Hi everyone,
I would need a sharpmaker in the future as I am planning to buy a few knives.
The recommended one seems to be the SPYDERCO sharpmaker but than can be quite expensive for me : 35-40$ + 10$ shipping to Canada ...
I saw that on e-bay :
http://cgi.ebay.com/Knife-Sharpener...|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:200
Would this be good for knives with ATS-34 , S30V and AUS-8 steel blades ?
I have seen a kind of screwdriver for sharpening the knives at LIQUIDATION DEPOT for only 2$ ...but I am wondering if that would be good for good quality folders ??!!
Any opinion would be much appreciated ! Thank you !
Click to expand...

Sharp Phil said:
The whole point of the Sharpmaker system is that it provides you with a means of holding the hones at the proper angle, to promote consistency in your sharpening strokes. You can buy a single crock stick (or any rod sharpener), yes, and you can find plenty that are a lot less expensive than the Tri-Angle system, but you're not getting the same thing. If you're experienced with free-hand sharpening, it won't matter, of course, but there's a difference between having just any hone and owning an angle-oriented system like a Sharpmaker or a Lansky.
Click to expand...

I doubt the "screwdriver thing" is going to work well for you. "All goods worth price charged."

I agree with Phil. The key to the Sharpmaker is the set angle it gives combined with some very good ceramic rods with specific grit size. A single ceramic rod of dubious grit matches neither.

Freehanding, using natural stones, ceramic stones, or sandpaper, is less expensive, but takes practice to learn. The Sharpmaker allows you to sharpen effectively pretty much as soon as you get it.
 
gajinoz said:
What you're talking about here is reprofiling and creating a back grind and a micro bevel primary grind. This is easy to do. Simply sharpen the knife using the 30 degree setting then put the micro bevel on it using the 40 degree setting. I do exactly this with my Sebenza and SnG. The Sebbie slices like a scalpel. :)
Click to expand...

No he's not. All he's saying is that if you prop up one end of the Sharpmaker, you can you sharpen at other angles besides the standard 30 and 40.
 
You get what you pay for.

I had a coworker - young guy from Asia who came to me with questions like how to wrestling etc... probably just because I am Russian. Once he told me that he want to experience alcohol and what I may recommend him to start with, something tasty for beginner. I sad try Irish Cream - Bailey's. Then He told me that he tryed but it was not tasty at all and he did not like it. When I ask him wondering how come - he sad Bailey's is too expensive and he bought $5 Irish Cream in Seven-Eleven...

My point is that Sharpmaker is well known brand respected by many. I read about people crying (some military vets by the way) after they was able to shave with their knife after few strokes on Sharpmaker. And I have to admit it was a shock for me as well. So it is proven and well established tool and I would say well designed (BTW not only for knives, but for scissors, fishhooks etc..). It also have book and DVD with instructions and you always may ask Sal Glesser himself on Spyderco subforum here if you have any questions.

There is many thing which may go wrong and it is hard to see especially when you are buying over Internet, so it may work, but with Shapmaker you will get what you need for sure.

Other point - you pay once and use it for years on many knives, it is better to pay once bit more and have premium tool for year then pay once less and have average tool for years.

So in short - for beginner Sharpmaker is best choice IMHO.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
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Thank you very much for all the sugestions...I mean for the only one which would be a reliable solution to my inquiry : SPYDERCO SHARPMAKER .
If I had owned a few cheap 10-15$ chinese knives probably a stone would have been enough. It seems I have no other choice.
 
radu1976 said:
The recommended one seems to be the SPYDERCO sharpmaker but than can be quite expensive for me : 35-40$ + 10$ shipping to Canada ...
Click to expand...

My standard advice about accessories: If you paid more for whatever you need the accessory to maintain, then the tool is worth the price.

I bet most of your S30V knives were over $50 right?
 
I am a newbie here but I am wondering if there's any S30V under 50$ ...at least a new one . The cheaper seems to be the AVALANCHE 60$+
Yes , indeed, I am planning to buy a used mini SKIRMISH but even this I guess it won't be less than 100$.
 
radu1976 said:
I am a newbie here but I am wondering if there's any S30V under 50$ ...at least a new one . The cheaper seems to be the AVALANCHE 60$+
Yes , indeed, I am planning to buy a used mini SKIRMISH but even this I guess it won't be less than 100$.
Click to expand...

You can find Spyderco Natives in S30v for under $50 if you look around.

To the OP, I've owned multiple sharpening systems....Lansky...Edge Pro...Sharp Maker etc. The only one I still have is the Sharp Maker. I sharpen using a combination of freehand on diamond stones and the Sharp Maker depending on what I need to do. It's a quality system at a nice price.
 
morrowj_98 said:
You can find Spyderco Natives in S30v for under $50 if you look around.

To the OP, I've owned multiple sharpening systems....Lansky...Edge Pro...Sharp Maker etc. The only one I still have is the Sharp Maker. I sharpen using a combination of freehand on diamond stones and the Sharp Maker depending on what I need to do. It's a quality system at a nice price.
Click to expand...

Why don't you have the Edge Pro anymore?
 
The sharpmaker is inexpensive for how great it works. You could probably find something cheap but you won't be happy.
 
gldfshkpr said:
Why don't you have the Edge Pro anymore?
Click to expand...

I gave it to a knife maker on this forum. He mentioned in an email that he wanted one..I had one not being used anymore so off it went.
I tried using it but it just wasn't for me. I had a difficult time with smaller blades. The Edge Pro is clearly a quality system but I'm more proficient with freehand and touch ups on the Sharp Maker.
 
about a cheap as it gets....

IMAG0353.jpg
 
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