I just received my Sharpmaker 204 on Friday, 28 May 1999.
I would highly recomend it to anyone who wanted an excellent, easy to use, system that is capable of producing very SHARP knives!
It fits into its own little case very nicely, although despite pages of instruction on many types of things you can sharpen I did not see any comment on sharpening tanto tips or on how to put it in the case. The latter is easy to do, its just that I noticed the lack of instruction, or picture, in this regard. My only tip is that when pulling it apart, keep it away from the edge of the table. I fumbled and although I did not drop one of the inserts, it was too close for comfort.
One knife I sharpened was somewhat recalcitrant and so following the instructions, I went back and started at a combined angle of 30 degrees. It just so happens that is the angle of my A.G. Russell's Field Sharpener that has diamond rods. Despite their short length this sped up the process. I then went back to the Sharpmaker 204. I believe I then continued the back bevel on the Sharpmaker 204, but I am not sure. In any event I finished on the Sharpmaker using the 40 degree combined angle. Success! All the other knives I sharpened on that first Saturday became vorpal* (sharp) using just the 40 degree combined angle.
I look forward to the new version of the diamond sleeves for the Sharpmaker 204.
*Vorpal per the Oxford English Dictionary: A word invented by Lewis Carroll app. with the sense keen, deadly; also in subsequent allusive uses.
1871 L. Carroll Through Looking-Glass i. 22 The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
