Newbie to sharpening

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rc3mil

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Dec 20, 2009
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Im a total newb when it comes to sharpening a knife. I have tried stones and never had any success. I am in desperate need of a good sharpening system. Would the spyderco sharpmaker be a good choice? ive read mixed reviews on the sharpmaker, some say it worked for them, others say it didnt. Bear in mind i know absolutely nothing about sharpening a knife. i cant afford to get the diamond rods or the ultra fine rods. I will just be getting the kit standard as it comes. How easy will it be for me to master the sharpmaker and become good at sharpening knives?

Do you reccomend it or is it gona be a waste of my time?
 
Lots of folks here swear by the sharpmaker. Having said that, you already have a set of stones, why not seek some help here and get proficient with them. That way you'll have learned a valuable new skill, and saved a few bucks in the process.
 
smitty0331 said:
Lots of folks here swear by the sharpmaker. Having said that, you already have a set of stones, why not seek some help here and get proficient with them. That way you'll have learned a valuable new skill, and saved a few bucks in the process.
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Those stones where my dads and i dont stay with him anymore. No access to them. Wish i did :)
 
I am not sure why anyone would say the Sharpmaker didn't work for them? Maybe they needed different angles or something, but it's a great sharpener and can turn out several hair shaving blades in a 30 minute sit down.
 
rc3mil said:
Ya it seems we have. Thanks for posting that link, i was looking for it :)
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If you haven't already done so, go to User CP at the top left of this page and click on Edit Options. Scroll down to Messaging & Notification and set your default thread subscription mode. Then at anytime you can click on Quick Links above and select Subscribed Threads to have a list of all threads you posted in.
 
cgmblade said:
If you haven't already done so, go to User CP at the top left of this page and click on Edit Options. Scroll down to Messaging & Notification and set your default thread subscription mode. Then at anytime you can click on Quick Links above and select Subscribed Threads to have a list of all threads you posted in.
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dude this is GREAT. SERIOUSLY THANK YOU. Made my life so much easier
 
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So if i wanted my knives to have a 15' angle then would the sharpmaker be useless to me?
 
rc3mil said:
So if i wanted my knives to have a 15' angle then would the sharpmaker be useless to me?
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The Sharpmaker has two preset angles; 30* and 40* inclusive. It is somewhat confusing. 30* inclusive/total is 15* per side. So if you wanted your knives to be 15* per side then the Sharpmaker would be perfect. I think 15* per side is great for most edc type knives. For knives with lesser quality steels or knives for hard use then 15* w/ a 20* micro-bevel would work. I don't remember if you have a RC3 or Izula, but for either one I think I'd go with 20* per side as those knives are typically subject to very hard use.
 
cgmblade said:
The Sharpmaker has two preset angles; 30* and 40* inclusive. It is somewhat confusing. 30* inclusive/total is 15* per side. So if you wanted your knives to be 15* per side then the Sharpmaker would be perfect. I think 15* per side is great for most edc type knives. For knives with lesser quality steels or knives for hard use then 15* w/ a 20* micro-bevel would work. I don't remember if you have a RC3 or Izula, but for either one I think I'd go with 20* per side as those knives are typically subject to very hard use.
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I am eagerly awaiting an IZULA. Thanks for you input. I guess the only trouble ill have with the sharpmaker is if another blade of mine doesnt have a 15' or 20' edge. Then i would need the diamond rods. How hard and long would those take to reprofile an edge?
 
rc3mil said:
I am eagerly awaiting an IZULA. Thanks for you input. I guess the only trouble ill have with the sharpmaker is if another blade of mine doesnt have a 15' or 20' edge. Then i would need the diamond rods. How hard and long would those take to reprofile an edge?
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Depends on the steel. I re-profiled a Spyderco Delica 4 in VG-10 in a 2-3 hours with the Diamond Rods, and it took about the same time for a Case Copperlock in CV, but it is taking many times that long to re-profile a Queen stockman in D2.

There are some shortcuts, and if you really get into sharpening you'll probably end up getting some DMT diamond flat stones. They are faster, but since they are free hand it's much harder to maintain an angle. After you knock the shoulder off with the flat stones you could go back to the Sharpmaker.
 
cgmblade said:
Depends on the steel. I re-profiled a Spyderco Delica 4 in VG-10 in a 2-3 hours with the Diamond Rods, and it took about the same time for a Case Copperlock in CV, but it is taking many times that long to re-profile a Queen stockman in D2.

There are some shortcuts, and if you really get into sharpening you'll probably end up getting some DMT diamond flat stones. They are faster, but since they are free hand it's much harder to maintain an angle. After you knock the shoulder off with the flat stones you could go back to the Sharpmaker.
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I think im just gona go ahead and order the IZULA and probably keep the 20 factory edge ( i think?) on it. It should come fairly sharp( i hope) so the sharpmaker should suit me well for bringing the blade back to shaving sharp.

Happy new years
 
Post some pics and a review when you get it. I really like the Izula, but don't have one. I hope to get one sometime this new year. I think 20* is perfect for that knife. Did you see Blunttruth's review of the Izula on youtube?
 
cgmblade said:
Post some pics and a review when you get it. I really like the Izula, but don't have one. I hope to get one sometime this new year. I think 20* is perfect for that knife. Did you see Blunttruth's review of the Izula on youtube?
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Ya. I thought it was a good review. But he reprofiled his edge
 
Do you have any way to accurately cut angles in wood, even if someone does it for you? If so, you can make all kinds of wooden sharpening guides/stands and just get by with a double sided stone for half the cost of a Sharpmaker. The Sharpmaker is good, but for angles other than 40* and 30* its good to have some flexibility. You can also rebevel with the standard gray Sharpmaker stones, but it takes a long time. A Norton Coarse/Fine India stone will run about $25, and with practice you can get a hair popping edge off of it. If you want, I can email you some phone pics of the guides/stands I use that are fairly simple to make, if you have a way to cut accurate angles. The specific angle is not as important as being able to hold a consistent one. 15* to 25* per side will work for EDC, and as you get some practice you can start getting more accurate and optimize the edges for their uses. Learning to do it freehand is as versatile as you can get. There is a learning curve with the Sharpmaker, just as with learning with stones, its just shorter.

Edited to add that the Sharpmaker can be used as a bench stone. Depending on your technique you might be able to do it this way. I have less trouble keeping a consistent angle with the rods vertical, so thats the way I use it.
 
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Me2 good . I agree . One still must know the basics like how to recognize a burr, use a magnifier, pressure on stones, ect. even when they get a new easier to use device . DM
 
I have never been able to find a burr with my fingernail like many can. I use the hair on the back of my head or on my arms and strop the blade on the opposite side of the last stroke on the stone. If there is a burr, I can feel it pulling. You can also get a fuzzy piece of felt or cloth and do the same thing. If there is a burr there, you'll have fuzz all over the edge. Clean it off before resuming sharpening. Its a PITA to get off a water or oil stone.

Magnification is great. I'd love just one afternoon with a binocular microscope and all my sharpening goodies.
 
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