Newbie Sharpmaker question, when you get a new knife do you sharpen it or just leave

C

Cackmandu

Joined
Aug 24, 2015
Messages
196
the edge alone? If yes I refine it, fine or ultra fine stone and how many stokes and pressure! Just learning so bear with me!
 
On a new knife, start w/med stone and see where you're hitting (verify/identify the angle). Use a sharpie to mark edge and it'll be more obvious. If you can get it done here, go for it, if not, move to a diamond rod.
 
I test the edge first.

If it's sharp enough for me, I leave it alone.

If not, I sharpen it. At what point in the progression from coarse to fine I start with depends upon how much out of sharp I deem it to be.

I assume you have at least watched Spyderco's SM sharpening video.
 
Thanks guys. pretty much what I expected, just depends on how sharp you like your blade! Yes, I have watched the videos (once) the Sharpmaker is in route and I will be watching them again, guess it will just take some experimenting!
 
I almost always touch up the factory edge, usually with the fine or ultra fine rods. It improves them all with a finer edge.
 
Cackmandu said:
Thanks guys. pretty much what I expected, just depends on how sharp you like your blade! Yes, I have watched the videos (once) the Sharpmaker is in route and I will be watching them again, guess it will just take some experimenting!
Click to expand...

Watch the vids a couple more times. After you've used the SM for a month or so, watch it again. Some things will become much clearer then.
 
Watch jdavis' vid on using the flats of the SM rods -
[video=youtube;-MHe_8wTHmg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MHe_8wTHmg[/video]

I do this especially when working the tip to prevent rounding it off.
 
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TravisH said:
I test the edge first.

If it's sharp enough for me, I leave it alone.

If not, I sharpen it. At what point in the progression from coarse to fine I start with depends upon how much out of sharp I deem it to be.

I assume you have at least watched Spyderco's SM sharpening video.
Click to expand...
Ditto for me. I do the exact same thing(s) .
 
TravisH said:
Watch jdavis' vid on using the flats of the SM rods -
[video=youtube;-MHe_8wTHmg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MHe_8wTHmg[/video]

I do this especially when working the tip to prevent rounding it off.
Click to expand...

This is a fantastic video. It changed the way I use the sharpmaker. I use a modified version of what he does now (and have been for several years). It really speeds up the process on a duller blade, as compared to "one stroke left, one stroke right". It's almost like the scrubbing technique one uses on a horizontal stone. Just applied vertically.

Regarding hitting the tip and not rounding it: If you have a tendency to slip off the bottom of the rod near the tip, I've found a technique that helps me. I aim to touch the base of the sharpmaker about 1/2" back from the tip. So the last 1/2" of the blade actually touches the black plastic base. What about the rest of the blade up to the tip ? It never gets touched right? Well, all you have to do is draw the blade towards you, maintaining sideways pressure against the rod, and stop with the tip is in the middle of the rod. That way you grind the whole way to the tip, but you have more control because part of the blade is (lightly) resting on the sharpmaker base. Just a little technique I use sometimes.

Brian.
 
I used to just use them till they needed sharpening.
Sinc i got the Edgepro, i have put a new edge on them before carrying
 
I like to put my own edge on. It's fun and easy, and I get the exact edge I want. And even though it doesn't matter too much, I can't stand uneven bevels.
 
Magnaminous_G said:
I like to put my own edge on. It's fun and easy, and I get the exact edge I want. And even though it doesn't matter too much, I can't stand uneven bevels.
Click to expand...

same hear, i hate uneven bevels!and if i get a knife with them,its on to the edge pro for repair work.:thumbup:
 
bgentry said:
This is a fantastic video. It changed the way I use the sharpmaker. I use a modified version of what he does now (and have been for several years). It really speeds up the process on a duller blade, as compared to "one stroke left, one stroke right". It's almost like the scrubbing technique one uses on a horizontal stone. Just applied vertically.

Regarding hitting the tip and not rounding it: If you have a tendency to slip off the bottom of the rod near the tip, I've found a technique that helps me. I aim to touch the base of the sharpmaker about 1/2" back from the tip. So the last 1/2" of the blade actually touches the black plastic base. What about the rest of the blade up to the tip ? It never gets touched right? Well, all you have to do is draw the blade towards you, maintaining sideways pressure against the rod, and stop with the tip is in the middle of the rod. That way you grind the whole way to the tip, but you have more control because part of the blade is (lightly) resting on the sharpmaker base. Just a little technique I use sometimes.

Brian.
Click to expand...

That's an interesting technique and I'll have to try it.

I found that mounting the Sharpmaker to a base and using both hands helped me immensely.

As to not round off the tip I start with the tip at the bottom of the stone and push as I move the knife upward. So instead of edge leading, I sharpen edge trailing.
 
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