New kit or add to old?

[mparker]

I currently have a basic Gatco kit with 3 standard stones, course, medium, and fine.

My knife collection has grown considerably in both size and quality since I purchased the kit 15 years ago.

My question is being a absolute novice at sharpening what kit do you recommend? Adding stones to my current Gatco or going a whole different route? I've read very good things about the Spydie Sharpmaker.

I have a large range of steels and shapes, SAKs to kitchen cutlery.

My goal is to be able to sharpen and possibly polish the edges of some of my knives. I have fallen in love with the polished factory edge of my Vero Beach era Microtech Socom.

 

[droptrd]

Well, it's always fun to try something new. The sharpmaker is very nice. The speed of setup alone makes it worth buying. Great for touch ups. I like to use mine for kitchen knives. I have a wicked edge system that I love. However I don't feel the results are worth the time spent setting up and the process time for my kitchen knives. They don't have to be perfect, just sharp. Also have you thought about getting some stones for freehand? It's a very gratifying skill to learn.

 

[rlwhite5599]

I just bought my dad a sharpmaker for Christmas, he loves it. I prefer freehand. Very gratifying (and addictive) once you get the hang of it. The sharpmaker is a nice system if you prefer the guided systems. I would add the diamond rods and possibly the ultra fine ones.