New spyderco and sharpmaker...30 or 40 degrees?

[Surfingringo]

I am guessing that spydercos come new at 30 degrees? I have watched the sharpmaker videos and I suppose I should do my initial sharpenings at 40. Is this what you guys do?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If it were mine, I'd hope the factory edge is actually at or below 30°. If not, I'd eventually make it so. The Sharpmaker becomes a LOT more user-friendly when the edge angle starts out within that limit. You then have two options on the SM, at either/both of the 30 and 40 settings. Personally for me, if the edge is 30° or less, I always use the 30° 'back bevel' setting to maintain it. If somewhere between 30 and 40, then it's at least possible to touch it up on the 40 setting.

Some will depend on how durable a particular edge and steel are, at a given angle. If you sharpen at 30, and eventually find the edge isn't quite lasting as long as you'd hope, then try it at 40 and that should make it a little more robust for heavier cutting chores. I've found almost all of my knives are very easy to get along with at 30, or even less, and that includes some very basic steels.


David