Newbie Sharpening

D

DebX36

Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
41
Howdy everyone! I'm sure this has been asked and answered a thousand times over, but I figured getting my own topic on the matter would be nice, so I don't have to search many old threads. Anywho!

I am looking for a nice sharpening system. I've never fully gotten down the use of a whetstone, and have typically used the AccuSharp system for most of my blade maintenace. I've recently been looking into honing, as well, to get rid of the curls on my blades (Wasn't aware of this for several years initially). For what it's worth, my main blades include:

Benchmade Griptilian
Benchmade Barage (1 full, 1 mini)
Esee 5
Esee 3MIL
Wetterling Hatchet and Axe (not aware of the models)

So they're all higher end. I would really prefer a pull through sharpener for the knives, and I'll top them off with a honing. If needed, I can look more so into whetstones, but do prefer the ease of a manual pull through. Who should I look at? Also, what about a honing rod? Who makes the best out there? I'd like to keep everything under $200 (I'm looking into a puck stone for my axes and hatchets, as well) and the ability to tuck it all easily into a pack for camping is highly crucial

Any help is highly appreciated!
 
Sharpmaker.

Seriously, it's that simple. Pull through sharpeners can ripple your edges and just aren't good in general. My Lansky and Edge Pro rarely see any use compared to the Sharpmaker. Super portable and works on virtually everything. If you really like the SM, you can buy additional rods to expand your capability.
 
If you are too lazy to search than I doubt you will get many answers. It could be considered a bit dis-respectful. This topic has been beaten to death. Good Luck!!
 
I will submit that If I knew then what I know now, I would have started by buying the worksharp field sharpening tool or the guided manual sharpener from them. AND a Knives Plus strop.
I've got knives with blades from the most basic carbon steels to some of the ultrahard new 'super-steels' and this keeps my knives sharp. Well within your budget plus leaves you room for a hockey puck if you really feel you gotta have one of those.
 
Pull through sharpener... the idea of one of those things ripping off huge chunks of metal from high end knives made me visibly cringe. Heck, I'd not use one on a relatively inexpensive knife, let alone something like a Benchmade Griptilian. Seeing as how your budget is expressed at being $200 or less, I'd recommend picking yourself up an Edge Pro Apex. The basic model can be had for around $160. There's other sets out there (including ones with Shapton Glass and Chosera stones). However, to get everything that I''d consider necessary for starting out (Edge Pro set with 500, 1,000 and 6,000 grit Shapton Glass Stones), you'd be looking at around $260. Yes, It's a bit above budget, but then again, you'd never need another sharpening system.
 
For right around 200 you could get a Sharpmaker and a KME system.
Most of my sharpening is done with the Sharpmaker, it is a pretty easy and intuitive kit.
When I have bad edges or reprofiles I pull out the KME, which is a great clamp, guide rod system.

Also it wouldn't hurt to pick up a Smith's ceramic stone, they are 3 bucks or so at a few places, I use this a lot too besides the SM.
The 2 sided pucks are nice for machetes and axes and such.

No matter what you go with practice and familiarity with your tools are what will enable you to get consistent sharp edges.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I've looked into the Sharpmaker before, feels good hearing it re-suggested time and time again. The only reason I made my own new thread about this was just to ensure no new technology or advancements have come out since the last time I did research, as well as specifically stating my exact blades. I'm really sold on the idea of the Sharpmaker. One thing keeping me away from normal whetstones was the angle. Being novice with sharpening, I'd like to take as much guess work out of sharpening as possible. I'd hate to super butcher a Benchmade. My pull through days have been long gone (I mainly carried one with me when I was innawoods for quick sharpening - outside that, I went to my local shop and had them re-edge my blades)
 
Welcome to the Forum Deb!

The Sharpmaker is very good, but (price aside) I have come to prefer the Edge Pro Apex (EPA, for short). There is still the possibility of human error with the Sharpmaker; the EPA is truly a consistent angle sharpening system. As I elluded to, the EPA is considerably more money (around $300, IIRC), but for someone who has a LOT of knives (some of which are close to or over $300 themselves), I think it's a worthwhile investment.

I went from whetstones, to freehand sharpening on ceramic rods, to the Sharpmaker, and finally to the EPA. And I have stopped looking for anything better.
 
Thanks link! I'll definitley give it a look, as well. I think I'll get the Sharpmaker for now, and as my collection expands (I went from buying Chinese Schrade and Kershaws just a year ago to higher end USA made blades this year, so further advancements will be made) I will look to taking step ups. How well (or lack there of) do the Sharpmaker and EPA do with, let's say, a machete with a 12"+ blade?
 
Sharpmaker for maintaining a blade, Edge Pro or Wick Edge for reprofiling.
I have a SM with diamond rods and soon will be getting an EP as I'm sharpening more knives.
 
Not owning it but just curious: is it easy to sharpen a hatchet or an axe with sharpmaker?
 
I guess it could be done but the rods are a little small and the "V Area" would be a little tight. Again, you could do it but it would be a bit of a pain. I think an Axe's weight would be a little much for the rods.
 
sharp_edge said:
Not owning it but just curious: is it easy to sharpen a hatchet or an axe with sharpmaker?
Click to expand...

I would say no but it could be done. I could see it being an unwieldy task. I'd honestly just hold the rods and go to town freehand on an axe or hatchet.
 
ha I see. The axe may very well break the little rod and maybe even the base of sharpmaker :-). So it's better to hold the axe still while moving the rod, just like using a file.
 
link2derek said:
Welcome to the Forum Deb!

The Sharpmaker is very good, but (price aside) I have come to prefer the Edge Pro Apex (EPA, for short). There is still the possibility of human error with the Sharpmaker; the EPA is truly a consistent angle sharpening system. As I elluded to, the EPA is considerably more money (around $300, IIRC), but for someone who has a LOT of knives (some of which are close to or over $300 themselves), I think it's a worthwhile investment.

I went from whetstones, to freehand sharpening on ceramic rods, to the Sharpmaker, and finally to the EPA. And I have stopped looking for anything better.
Click to expand...
I went through the same process, only now I sometimes use my whetstones to get a convex edge.
 
aleforme said:
I guess it could be done but the rods are a little small and the "V Area" would be a little tight. Again, you could do it but it would be a bit of a pain. I think an Axe's weight would be a little much for the rods.
Click to expand...

sharp_edge said:
Not owning it but just curious: is it easy to sharpen a hatchet or an axe with sharpmaker?
Click to expand...

kniferbro said:
I would say no but it could be done. I could see it being an unwieldy task. I'd honestly just hold the rods and go to town freehand on an axe or hatchet.
Click to expand...

I don't own a sharpmaker, but:

img-spyderco-sharpmaker-05.jpg


You put the rods in the backside and use it just like a file. It should work fine.
I do not own a sharpmaker because i generally require coarser grits for sharpening and re-profiling the edge of my knives, not to mention an axe. If your axe edge has much damage, it would take a LONG time to restore it with the fine grits of a sharpmaker.
 
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