New to collecting... Hell of a forum you have here! *updated*

[Fixall]

Unfortunately, I'm 99% the copper Natrix is still just preorder right now.

Mostly because I'm waiting on that one to drop so I can snap one up. Just too cool and affordable not to grab.

Yea, I noticed that it was for a preorder after I posted that. $55 - $60 isn't bad though, I'll probably end up snagging one too, lol. I'll wait for the release though... I've learned my lesson with preorders.

 

[Fixall]

Well... The Kershaw Dimension came in today... And it will be going right back where it came from. The assisted opening doesn't work correctly, the centering is poor, there's a bunch of build up in the grooves of the scales (you can kind of see it in the picture), and it is the worst smelling knife I've ever come across, lol. What a turd. I'm really surprised by the differences in build quality between the American Kershaw's I own and this Chinese Kershaw. It kinda has me rethinking jumping on board for the Natrix Copper. :/

On the plus side... I have a used Ontario Knife Rat 2 in D2 and carbon fiber heading my way from a fellow forum member, so that's exciting.

 

[Mr.SATism]

So how does the miss (-us) feel about your collection expanding? Also, I don't think you told us about your sharpening system yet

 

[Fixall]

So how does the miss (-us) feel about your collection expanding? Also, I don't think you told us about your sharpening system yet

She's on board actually.

Before I found out I needed shoulder surgery, I had set aside $600 - $700 for upgrades on one of my bikes... Because of the surgery, I'm not really allowed to ride for the rest of the year, so that (along with some other things) freed up a nice chunk of "play money". On top of that... She thinks knives are pretty sweet and she was actually really excited when I gave her my Sandvik Leek. She now owns; a Kershaw Leek, SOG Field Pup, and a Gerber Air Ranger... Today she told me she really wants either a purple Chive or Scallion. I might have to introduce her to Bladeforums, lol.

I'm actually still trying to figure out which way to go with a sharpening system. I've been looking at the Spyderco Sharpmaker and a couple of the Lansky systems, but I'm a little lost to be honest. I'm wondering if I should start out freehand until I learn some of the basics. I'm in a sling and am not allowed to use my left arm at all for another 4 - 6 weeks though... So I have some time before I need to get it figured out.


Bonus pics of the brusing, post surgery!

 

[Anaries]

I don't think you told us about your sharpening system yet

I think for now, I'm going to pick up a Spyderco or Lansky system to get me by... But I'm a little concerned with the limited angles... Maybe I'll start off free-handing. IDK...

I must be missing an inside joke about the "basement"?

Well Carl noted it and he's a mod.

Honestly, I was speaking in general. Doesn't everywhere have a 'basement'?

This is the best knifeforum. Great site.

Ps

Just saw last post. Tough man. Hope You heal up fast.

 

[Mr.SATism]

I'm actually still trying to figure out which way to go with a sharpening system. I've been looking at the Spyderco Sharpmaker and a couple of the Lansky systems, but I'm a little lost to be honest. I'm wondering if I should start out freehand until I learn some of the basics. I'm in a sling and am not allowed to use my left arm at all for another 4 - 6 weeks though... So I have some time before I need to get it figured out.

Alright, time for real talk about the cheaper sharpening system. I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker that I fleshed out for about 200$ overall (I also made a little thread about it [yes it's a humblebrag]). This modified system allows me to take most modern steels and reprofile them for 30 or 40 inclusive. However, this system is not perfect and I am still having a little bit of a learning curve deburring and sharpening bellies of drop point/spear point/tanto knives. If you ever watch Nick Shabbaz, you know that he has a modified KME for about 300-400$, and that should be a little easier for a lot of people because you're taking out a lot of variables out of the equation.
P.S.: Hope your shoulder heals up faster than you can spend your money on knives . But I seriously do hope you feel better

 

[Fixall]

Well Carl noted it and he's a mod.

Honestly, I was speaking in general. Doesn't everywhere have a 'basement'?

This is the best knifeforum. Great site.

Ps

Just saw last post. Tough man. Hope You heal up fast.

Gotcha. Just making sure I wasn't missing something deeper, lol.

This forum seems pretty great so far. Lots of very helpful members and pictures of gorgeous knives.

Thanks! I'm a fast healer and so far so good!

Alright, time for real talk about the cheaper sharpening system. I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker that I fleshed out for about 200$ overall (I also made a little thread about it [yes it's a humblebrag]). This modified system allows me to take most modern steels and reprofile them for 30 or 40 inclusive. However, this system is not perfect and I am still having a little bit of a learning curve deburring and sharpening bellies of drop point/spear point/tanto knives. If you ever watch Nick Shabbaz, you know that he has a modified KME for about 300-400$, and that should be a little easier for a lot of people because you're taking out a lot of variables out of the equation.
P.S.: Hope your shoulder heals up faster than you can spend your money on knives . But I seriously do hope you feel better

I'll be sure to check out your thread on the Sharpmaker! I'll probably want to start with something in the $50 - $100 range, so a kit I can build up would be pretty cool. I'd much rather buy a few higher end, basic pieces and then pick up things as needed... Rather than buy a complete budget setup that I will "outgrow" in a couple years. I've been watching some of Mr. Shabbaz's videos lately... I'll look into his KME.

Thanks (and me too, lol)! The recovery is going very well so far. It sucks to have to rely on help for anything that requires two hands, but other than that... It's been a breeze.

 

[BD_01]

I recommend the Sharpmaker, as it’s simple and affordable. Just realize it’s best suited for keeping sharp knives sharp.

I own a WorkSharp Ken Onion...I like it because it’s relatively speedy, but it can be a bit of a challenge keeping the bevel symmetric from side to side. I probably would have been better suited skipping straight to a KME (there’s probably one in my future shortly).

I tried a friend’s Wicked Edge for a week or two. I got good results, but I did not like switching hands and having to unclamp & flip the knife.

Myself, I’m a bit uncoordinated for freehand...though maybe I should give it another try.

If your shoulder surgery was anything like mine, you’re probably quite miserable right now. Hope you mend quickly!

 

[RBid]

There are a few common ways that this passion progresses. The most common start is probably about like this...

1. VOLUME!!! New collector uses their budget to grab as many pieces as possible.

2. Approaching the Ledge. The collector starts to learn about the $100-250 price range, and sticks a toe in. Spyderco, Benchmade, and Zero Tolerance are the usual suspects here. Some stay in this area, which is a damn good range, if you have self control.

3. Oh, $#!+. The collector figures out their particular tastes. Designer, material, blade shape, etc. At this point, it’s easy to fall right off the ledge into the $400+ price range. Once you’ve spent $400 on a knife, it’s a relatively small step to $1,000, because part of your brain has already decided that money exists so that you can use a Sebenza or full custom piece to cut apples for snacks. Coincidentally, you’ll find many excuses to eat fruit, and will feel compelled to use your folder to cut steak, instead of using an actual steak knife.

So... welcome. I give it 2 weeks before you hit step 2.

 

[Fixall]

I recommend the Sharpmaker, as it’s simple and affordable. Just realize it’s best suited for keeping sharp knives sharp.

I own a WorkSharp Ken Onion...I like it because it’s relatively speedy, but it can be a bit of a challenge keeping the bevel symmetric from side to side. I probably would have been better suited skipping straight to a KME (there’s probably one in my future shortly).

I tried a friend’s Wicked Edge for a week or two. I got good results, but I did not like switching hands and having to unclamp & flip the knife.

Myself, I’m a bit uncoordinated for freehand...though maybe I should give it another try.

If your shoulder surgery was anything like mine, you’re probably quite miserable right now. Hope you mend quickly!

Any time I search for the term "best budget knife sharpener" the one name that continuously pops up is the Sharpmaker. I'm going to watch a ton more reading and watch some videos, but I'll likely end up picking up one of those soon. I imagine it will be quite some time before I'm ready to try re-profiling a blade so it should serve my needs just fine. For now, while I'm only able to use the one arm, I was thinking about taking advantage of Kershaw/Gerber/Spyderco/SOGs sharpening services, but the turnaround seems pretty long... And I'd rather not have an entire millimeter of steel taken off.

Learning to freehand is something I've always wanted to do. I'll probably buy some beater blades later down the road and break into it slowly. It definitely seems like something you can spend a lifetime mastering... And I bet you learn a lot about yourself in the process. I hope I have the patience to learn.

It's been a bit over a week since the surgery, so it's not too bad (as far as pain goes). The worst part has been the loss of independence, but that should improve a lot in a few weeks. I just hope it fixed the issue.

There are a few common ways that this passion progresses. The most common start is probably about like this...

1. VOLUME!!! New collector uses their budget to grab as many pieces as possible.

2. Approaching the Ledge. The collector starts to learn about the $100-250 price range, and sticks a toe in. Spyderco, Benchmade, and Zero Tolerance are the usual suspects here. Some stay in this area, which is a damn good range, if you have self control.

3. Oh, $#!+. The collector figures out their particular tastes. Designer, material, blade shape, etc. At this point, it’s easy to fall right off the ledge into the $400+ price range. Once you’ve spent $400 on a knife, it’s a relatively small step to $1,000, because part of your brain has already decided that money exists so that you can use a Sebenza or full custom piece to cut apples for snacks. Coincidentally, you’ll find many excuses to eat fruit, and will feel compelled to use your folder to cut steak, instead of using an actual steak knife.

So... welcome. I give it 2 weeks before you hit step 2.

Hahaha! So far the FRN Chapparal is the most expensive knife I've picked up at just under $75... So I'm toeing the line of step 2 already, lol.

I'm sending the Dimension back and I'm thinking about selling the all black Blur I picked up. If I do that, I was thinking about using the money to pick up the Factor Equipment Iconic for $80. I REALLY want to keep a titanium scaled knife in my collection to play around with because I just love how it feels in my hand and because of childhood nostalgia (my Dad being in the Air Force bomb squad, he was always bringing home some new gadget made of solid titanium). From what I've read in the reviews... It seems like it would give me a really good idea of what to expect out of a $150 - $200 knife. I don't know though... I don't really want to support a company that rips off other people's designs (but then again, it seems like EVERYONE, even the big dogs have been caught doing this). Maybe I can find one secondhand. Or maybe I should just wait and pick up something like a Kizer Gemini, Spyderco Sage 2, or Spyderco Mantra later down the road...

Yea... Two weeks is probably about right, lol. With the wedding coming up in September, I'm hoping that helps keep me under control. We've managed to pay for everything without busting out the credit cards so far... And we have NO plans of going into debt for our wedding.

 

[Mr.SATism]

I own a WorkSharp Ken Onion...I like it because it’s relatively speedy, but it can be a bit of a challenge keeping the bevel symmetric from side to side. I probably would have been better suited skipping straight to a KME (there’s probably one in my future shortly).

have you put any supersteels on it yet? I’ve seen arguments from both sides on the cons (not being able to apex s90v/overheating blades) and pros (PM101’s ridiculously large 3v collection/C&A edge retention videos), so another datapoint would be great!

Any time I search for the term "best budget knife sharpener" the one name that continuously pops up is the Sharpmaker. I'm going to watch a ton more reading and watch some videos, but I'll likely end up picking up one of those soon. I imagine it will be quite some time before I'm ready to try re-profiling a blade so it should serve my needs just fine. For now, while I'm only able to use the one arm, I was thinking about taking advantage of Kershaw/Gerber/Spyderco/SOGs sharpening services, but the turnaround seems pretty long... And I'd rather not have an entire millimeter of steel taken off.

IMHO sharpening systems are things that you have to dive in head first, because if you want to get michael christy sharp on a system (yes I will be counting freehanding as a 'system') you need to progress through the right steps. Luckily he has posted his 'budget'/travel system for those of us that want to be cheaper. IMO the two things that ANY basic system can't do effectively is reprofiling and polishing (without add-ons.) Reprofiling will be using the same grit/technique to revive dull edges. Polishing will get you addicted to having sharp knives. When you shave arm hair back and forth, your jaw will drop! I'll message you with my links/suggestions after I have a second to compile everything
Edit: Michael Christy has shown how to get hair whittling edges on sharpmaker stones alone (TBH you can't avoid the add-on stones), I am complaining more about my technique than about the system, Sal is most definitely a genius.

 

[RBid]

Sharpening is a funny subject. I’d almost predict that it’s the greatest area of divergence on these types of boards.

The Sharpmaker is a great system to get. Many people wind up staying at about that level of kit. Some supplement it with add-on rods. Some branch out into WorkSharp, Wicked Edge, or Edge Pro. Some dive into mastery of free hand. Others opt to send their valued pieces out for professional sharpening.

Whichever route you take, I believe that getting very familiar with sharpening will change your relationship with this passion. Taking the step of putting stone to steel breaks the mental barrier of preserving the integrity of the blade, and it’s the key to getting a real sense of the differences between steels. For a lot of us, it helps break the mania of chasing the hardest steels on the market, and opens up an appreciation for balance. Having worked on a lot of blades to this point, I now favor steels with strong, but not quite extreme, edge retention, and value corrosion resistance a bit more. Consequently, my sweet spot is now S35VN or Elmax, instead of M390 or its clones.

I... am rambling.

I think I’ll end this and go whisper sweet nothings to the Edge Pro now.

 

[BD_01]

have you put any supersteels on it yet?

On the WSKO? Yes. S35VN & S110V. S110V took me a bit to figure out. I’m using the blade guide at 17.5°, then Sharpmaker for a microbevel and maintenance.

 

[Fixall]

I updated the OP with a group picture (and also posted it here in this comment)!

1. Victorinox 12" Straight Butcher - My true "daily driver". I use one five days a week at work (my work version has a white handle) and it does the job well.
2. Jaguar - Cheap sharpening fodder. I have no idea where it came from... But I've had it for about 25 years. I feel bad about what I'm gonna to do to the blade, lol.
3. Kershaw Blur - Picked this up to practice sharpening a curved blade so I don't mess up my s30v... But now I'm thinking I'll just sell it.
4. Kershaw Blur s30v - My current EDC. I love this knife... Maybe slightly too large to be perfect in my eyes.
5. SOG Field Pup AUS8 - I honestly can't imagine a better "field" knife for $11. This thing was a steal! I wish I had another.
6. SOG Seal Pup Elite - Meh. But it's about to get better after a little TLC.
7. Spyderco Chapparal Gray FRN - Picked this up for under $75. Still deciding how I feel about it. Feels AMAZING in the hand and cuts very well. Pocket clip sucks (I don't use them anyways so I'll probably remove it) and the lock back could be a bit wider or softer.
8. Kershaw Leek CF CPM-154 - My "gentelman's knife". Purchased as a gift from my fiance... This is quickly become my favorite out of the knives I own. Fits my hand like a dream and just feels like a step up in quality compared to everything I own but the Chapparal.
9. Opinel No. 7 Carbon - Given to me by one of my professors... I like this knife a whole lot more than I thought I would. It's my favorite knife for eating fruit, lol. I can definitely see why they have such a following.
10. Gerber Air Ranger - $10 Cabela's special. Solid knife for that price. Good looks, good build quality, feels good in the hand. The blade dulls if you look at it wrong however.
11. Kershaw Dimension - Bought this because I wanted something with titanium scales. That's about the only thing it has going for it. Yuck.
12. Gerber Gator - Has sentimental value... Dog got a hold of it a couple years ago and chewed up the grip a bit, lol. Talked to Gerber and they offered a replacement knife(pretty cool of them) but they couldn't send me a new handle/scales.


*Not pictured
Kershaw Leek Sandvick (fiance is carrying it)
Victorinox Swiss Army Compact (at work)
Ontario Knife Company Rat 2 D2 Carbon Fiber (in the mail)

IMHO sharpening systems are things that you have to dive in head first, because if you want to get michael christy sharp on a system (yes I will be counting freehanding as a 'system') you need to progress through the right steps. Luckily he has posted his 'budget'/travel system for those of us that want to be cheaper. IMO the two things that ANY basic system can't do effectively is reprofiling and polishing (without add-ons.) Reprofiling will be using the same grit/technique to revive dull edges. Polishing will get you addicted to having sharp knives. When you shave arm hair back and forth, your jaw will drop! I'll message you with my links/suggestions after I have a second to compile everything
Edit: Michael Christy has shown how to get hair whittling edges on sharpmaker stones alone (TBH you can't avoid the add-on stones), I am complaining more about my technique than about the system, Sal is most definitely a genius.

I look forward to your links. I've been dipping my toes in and reading a bit... But holy cow... There is a LOT that goes into being an effective and efficient blade sharpener.

It'll be exciting to reach the point where I can shave with blades I've sharpened myself!

Sharpening is a funny subject. I’d almost predict that it’s the greatest area of divergence on these types of boards.

The Sharpmaker is a great system to get. Many people wind up staying at about that level of kit. Some supplement it with add-on rods. Some branch out into WorkSharp, Wicked Edge, or Edge Pro. Some dive into mastery of free hand. Others opt to send their valued pieces out for professional sharpening.

Whichever route you take, I believe that getting very familiar with sharpening will change your relationship with this passion. Taking the step of putting stone to steel breaks the mental barrier of preserving the integrity of the blade, and it’s the key to getting a real sense of the differences between steels. For a lot of us, it helps break the mania of chasing the hardest steels on the market, and opens up an appreciation for balance. Having worked on a lot of blades to this point, I now favor steels with strong, but not quite extreme, edge retention, and value corrosion resistance a bit more. Consequently, my sweet spot is now S35VN or Elmax, instead of M390 or its clones.

I... am rambling.

I think I’ll end this and go whisper sweet nothings to the Edge Pro now.

After reading the forums a bit, I get the feeling you're right. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

I'm looking forward to the almost meditative zone you can get into when working with your hands. I spend an inordinate of time maintaining my bikes and PCs... It's one of my favorite things to do. I have a very strong feeling I'm going to like learning to sharpen just as much.

I bet you start to think twice about purchasing an s125v or CPM-15v knife, when you remember you have to sharpen them, lol. Funny though... I've heard that Elmax is a pain in the butt to sharpen. I guess it's all relative.

Something made of Elmax or M4 is actually next on my wish list...

 

[Fixall]

What the heck is going on...? Do they coat the handles of Spyderco knives with crack or something? The more I hold the Chapparal, the more I love it.

I'm starting to understand why Spyderco has such a big following. Blades aside... You wouldn't think it by looking at it... But DAMN is it comfortable!

I'm excited for the Delica 4 I just purchased to come in the mail now!

 

[Insipid Moniker]

What the heck is going on...? Do they coat the handles of Spyderco knives with crack or something? The more I hold the Chapparal, the more I love it.

I'm starting to understand why Spyderco has such a big following. Blades aside... You wouldn't think it by looking at it... But DAMN is it comfortable!

I'm excited for the Delica 4 I just purchased to come in the mail now!

Glad you're enjoying it! Spyderco ergonomics are famously good and the Chap is just a great knife. It's borderline blasphemous in some knife circles, but I actually much prefer it over the Delica, which is saying something.

And if you like the Chaparral that much you might keep an eye out on the exchange to see if you can snag a Spyderco Urban in K390. It has a similar feel, but it's a slipjoint and K390 holds an edge for just south of forever.

 

[Mr.SATism]

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...d-diamond-on-cardboard.1554866/#post-17854329
Cardboard Strops that you probably shouldn't use

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/interesting-sharpmaker-results-conclusions.1558936/
Sharpmaker shenanigans, also check out maximus83 on here for a more thorough view of SIC stones

https://morethanjustsurviving.com/sharpening-stainless-steel/
Sandpaper sharpening (or sandpaper on mousepad sharpening). (option #3)

DIY Guided sharpener (if you think that you and the fiancé want to argue over assembling another thing in your house haha jk)

Mr. Shabbaz's KME Kit

Make sure you research all of your options. If you do decide to buy any system, get the basic version first, because if you want to send it back, it would be mean to send something that's been used (Im 100% guilty of this) Don't forget to strop between your sharpenings to extend the life of the knife. If you have any questions about skill/technique, don't be afraid to ask and make posts in the Maintenance section.

EDIT: I posted this both on your wall and on here because I remember feeling lost in terms of sharpening, so I feel like this covers everything that a newbie would be looking at

 

[Fixall]

Glad you're enjoying it! Spyderco ergonomics are famously good and the Chap is just a great knife. It's borderline blasphemous in some knife circles, but I actually much prefer it over the Delica, which is saying something.

And if you like the Chaparral that much you might keep an eye out on the exchange to see if you can snag a Spyderco Urban in K390. It has a similar feel, but it's a slipjoint and K390 holds an edge for just south of forever.

I'll keep an eye out for one of those! Sounds right up my alley. The stiff back lock is basically the only flaw that's revealed itself, and it's really not even that bad. I could see it being an issue for someone with giant hands though.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...d-diamond-on-cardboard.1554866/#post-17854329
Cardboard Strops that you probably shouldn't use

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/interesting-sharpmaker-results-conclusions.1558936/
Sharpmaker shenanigans, also check out maximus83 on here for a more thorough view of SIC stones

https://morethanjustsurviving.com/sharpening-stainless-steel/
Sandpaper sharpening (or sandpaper on mousepad sharpening). (option #3)

DIY Guided sharpener (if you think that you and the fiancé want to argue over assembling another thing in your house haha jk)

Mr. Shabbaz's KME Kit

Make sure you research all of your options. If you do decide to buy any system, get the basic version first, because if you want to send it back, it would be mean to send something that's been used (Im 100% guilty of this) Don't forget to strop between your sharpenings to extend the life of the knife. If you have any questions about skill/technique, don't be afraid to ask and make posts in the Maintenance section.

EDIT: I posted this both on your wall and on here because I remember feeling lost in terms of sharpening, so I feel like this covers everything that a newbie would be looking at

Thanks for all these links! And thanks for the backups on my profile! Sorry, it took so long to reply... I've been reading, and reading, and reading. There is just sooo much damn info.

In the end. I've decided I'm going to go with the Spyderco Sharpmaker and pick up some Spyderco stones to play around and see if free hand seems like something I would want to do. Later down the road if I'm liking the results I've been getting from the Sharpmaker, I'll supplement it with some extra rods. If I end up outgrowing it (I imagine, I will get a LOT of use out of it before I get anywhere close to feeling like I'm mastering it), I can pass it down to my little brother. He has a Worksharp (what are your thoughts on those by the way?), but I'm sure he'd love a manual system to take to elk camp and whatnot. Either way... I'll be in a sling with zero use of my left arm for another 4 - 6 weeks, so no rush on anything I guess.

 

[Mr.SATism]

I'll keep an eye out for one of those! Sounds right up my alley. The stiff back lock is basically the only flaw that's revealed itself, and it's really not even that bad. I could see it being an issue for someone with giant hands though.



Thanks for all these links! And thanks for the backups on my profile! Sorry, it took so long to reply... I've been reading, and reading, and reading. There is just sooo much damn info.

In the end. I've decided I'm going to go with the Spyderco Sharpmaker and pick up some Spyderco stones to play around and see if free hand seems like something I would want to do. Later down the road if I'm liking the results I've been getting from the Sharpmaker, I'll supplement it with some extra rods. If I end up outgrowing it (I imagine, I will get a LOT of use out of it before I get anywhere close to feeling like I'm mastering it), I can pass it down to my little brother. He has a Worksharp (what are your thoughts on those by the way?), but I'm sure he'd love a manual system to take to elk camp and whatnot. Either way... I'll be in a sling with zero use of my left arm for another 4 - 6 weeks, so no rush on anything I guess.

No problem! Keep in mind that the sharpmaker is for keeping things sharp, and not making things sharp (reprofiling with the basic kit is a nightmare no one wants to sit through). Make sure you clamp down the system if you're using it one-handed (and if you're going to turn it on its belly for what I described as 'freehanding' because it does like to wiggle). I haven't had any experience with Worksharp, but they do seem like honest people. I would happily recommend their field sharpeners (it's a basic diamond stone, ceramic rod, and leather strop combo). As for their powered sharpeners, getting the same ken onion worksharp BD_01 has would be the ideal solution, but he can clarify about that more.

 

[Mecha]

Well Carl noted it and he's a mod.

Honestly, I was speaking in general. Doesn't everywhere have a 'basement'?

This is the best knifeforum. Great site.

Ps

Just saw last post. Tough man. Hope You heal up fast.

And just why, pray tell, would Fixall want to avoid this metaphorical basement, which we can neither confirm nor deny exists, hmm?