Newbie knife enthusiast looking for 1st sharpener.....need help...

R

ringding

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Jan 4, 2012
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Over the years I've been getting more and more interested in knives. Mostly smaller folders and EDCs at the moment... I have many daily EDC's most are sub $50 and a couple under $80. Anyway, I think its time I learn how to sharpen them, especially if I start going on camping trips a such with my young son.... I've tried researching them but there are so many different applications...looking for real world experience from the experts here!
 
A good sharpener can work wonders on knives you've tucked away out of sight because you just couldn't get them sharp ! I was a definite "handworker doing it all myself with a classic whetstone and a sharp eye" guy. Somehow, at some time, I wanted to upgrade because I was NOT satisfied. I bought a Lansky sharpener with the five classic stones. Great all the way ! My most crappy stainless blades I got sharp (finally !!!) and my good blades I got shaving/scary/unbelievably sharp ! It needs patience and some commitment (I spent evenings (and evenings, and more) reprofiling some D2 blades. But the result is definitely worth it. As the Lansky kludge is quite affordable, I'd say go for it ! If you have a lot of super-steels (D2 included), prefer the ceramic stones...
 
I'd recommend starting with a Sharpmaker for a couple of reasons. First, the learning curve is rather small. There's a good instructional DVD that comes with it, so it shouldn't be long before you're doing good quality sharpening with it. The more you use it and the more you learn about sharpening, the better results you'll get with the Sharpmaker. You won't outgrow it no matter how good you get. Second, the Sharpmaker will give you a head start on both freehand sharpening if you want to go that way, and using more complex guided systems if that strikes your fancy.

If you go with the Sharpmaker, watch the DVD a couple of times before you sharpen anything. Then practice with some cheap knives before using it on anything better. Don't get frustrated, and come back here to ask any questions about sharpening.
 
My vote is for sharpmaker. Theres a few better systems available but youll pay far more than what the sharpmaker costs. Its the best overall for the money and its rather versatile. Using the sharpmaker will take a few tries to get it correct, I did for me. The stones are good quality and dont require lubricant like most stones. Aside form using it with its most common functions I learned how to sharpen free hand by taking the stones off and laying them sideways.

Another option that involves a tad less skill and is in a similar price range is the worksharp (normal or Ken onion edition). I personally haven't used it but a few friends of mine like it for putting a nice convex edge on blades. If your not careful theirs is a potential to grind down the edge quickly but using a practice blade at first should help give you an idea regarding the tolerances of the tool .
 
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It all depends on budget. I think the top 3 are Spyderco Sharpmaker, Lansky, and Wicked Edge (in no particular order).

I have the Lansky, and I think the Wicked Edge is a little step up from it. I've never handled one, but I don't think the Spyderco Sharpmaker is good if you plan on reprofiling an edge.
 
I found the basic Lansky system to be an excellent learning tool.

It's enabled me to get my hands dirty with sharpening while taking out any chance of error, like training wheels.

If I had kitchen knives or other knives that I wanted to do daily or near daily quick working touch up, I could see having a Sharpmaker. But I get the sense that the Lansky is lot more flexible in terms of playing with edge angles. That seems like the trade off: Convenience (Sharpmaker) vs better control and flexibility (guided rod systems).
 
It's not popular to suggest around here, but i have a knockoff edge pro (branded agptek on amazon) that works great. Just toss the stones it comes with the second it arrives and get the oem stones from edge pro, or upgrade to something from the massive selection ken has at chefknivestogo. It's what I did, and the whole set up ran me about 100$. I can take a blunt piece of steel and set a precise bevel, then polish it all the way to whittling hair, and it didnt break the bank. Ken's selection is the best, but for normal steels, it's pricey. Edge pro's website has very reasonably priced stones that are very high quality for the price.
 
I've used every method I know about except paper wheels. In my experience power sharpening causes the edge to become brittle and dull quicker. I think that even if the bevel doesn't feel hot to the touch, it's because the heat dissipates into the surrounding metal so quickly. But it still gets hot at the apex. Just my findings.

The Spyderco Sharpmaker and similar methods are okay if you already have some decent bevels or nice, even bevels.

I have an Edge Pro I use to create good bevels and then I use a strop or bench stones to maintain edges.

I always tell people to learn to sharpen by hand first and then you'll never wonder what you're missing.
 
Personally I'd say that regardless of what you end up with for now, now is also the time to start learning to freehand. It's a developed skill, but once you've gotten enough practice under your belt you'll be able to sharpen just about anything WITH just about anything. Here's a basic cheat sheet to get you started. It can be printed on a single sheet of paper for easy reference.
 
Sulaco said:
I've used every method I know about except paper wheels. In my experience power sharpening causes the edge to become brittle and dull quicker. I think that even if the bevel doesn't feel hot to the touch, it's because the heat dissipates into the surrounding metal so quickly. But it still gets hot at the apex. Just my findings.
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I have never seen or owned a knife that had such a sensitive heat treat that would be damaged with a power sharpener if it was used properly. Perhaps a straight razor with an extra thin edge might loose some heat treat easily. Most manufacturers use power equipment (Belt sanders usually) to set the initial bevel on their knives. If it would ruin their heat treat, then surely they would not use such a device to shape/sharpen their knives. I know of no mfg. that hand sharpens their knives on a stone, with the possible exception maybe of some custom knife makers.

Bottom line is that I think your broad statement does not hold water. Nothing personal, and I stand corrected if some scientific evidence proves me wrong.

Blessings,

Omar
 
I got a sharpmaker first. They're pretty good and reliable, but to be honest I think your best bet is to buy stones or sheets of micromesh and lay them over glass or mousepad for a convex, and learn to sharpen freehand. Since learning about 2 years ago (and it really, really isn't that hard, you just have to pay attention to what you're doing and be deliberate and careful with your strokes) I haven't touched the sharpmaker.
 
I agree with FortyTwoBlades. The first sharpener I bought was a Spyderco Double Stuff. It was so frustrating at the beginning because I couldn't get a blade sharp at all, but after a couple of months, they where shaving no problem. Now, I can get a hair whittling edge with that stone and a strop. Also, you can easily take a small stone into the field with you. The double stuff is 4x1x.25 inches. DMT even makes a smaller set of stones in diamond. Even if you get some sort of system, I would still pick up a $20 pocket stone just for practice sakes.
 
Jeremy Barnard said:
Get a combination water stone and learn how to sharpen without a jig.
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pbonanza said:
I got a sharpmaker first. They're pretty good and reliable, but to be honest I think your best bet is to buy stones or sheets of micromesh and lay them over glass or mousepad for a convex, and learn to sharpen freehand. Since learning about 2 years ago (and it really, really isn't that hard, you just have to pay attention to what you're doing and be deliberate and careful with your strokes) I haven't touched the sharpmaker.
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I could not agree more. I own more knives than a sane person should, but at least I have not spent hundreds on a sharpener. After some practice on a stone (ok a decent bit of practice), you will not think you are missing anything and your wallet will be fatter so you can buy more ... knives.
 
I've touched up knives on the top edge of my car window before. I've stropped on rusty pipes. Used granite curbs. The bottom of mugs and plates. Rounded beach stones. There may be a learning curve, but I find most of it comes from being able to figure out what's wrong with your edge, and how to find the right angle and hold it. If you get those things down you'll reach master levels of sharpness in no time if you just DO it. :):thumbup:
 
The Sharpmaker with the UF Stones and the strop from Knives Plus will be a great start. I've got a few mirror finishes from using that combination, if you're going to seriously get into collecting knives then you might want to invest in an Edge Pro down the road.
 
Bastid said:
I could not agree more. I own more knives than a sane person should, but at least I have not spent hundreds on a sharpener. After some practice on a stone (ok a decent bit of practice), you will not think you are missing anything and your wallet will be fatter so you can buy more ... knives.
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What stone do you recommend? Amazon has some 12 dollar stones
 
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