Old 204 vs. new 204D sharpmaker

I

ichor

Joined
Aug 27, 2002
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6 months, or so, ago I called Spyderco in an attempt to obtain a new style 204D base, with the added features. There is nothing wrong with my ceramic rods so I really didn't want to spring for a whole new unit if I could upgrade the one I have. I was told by a fellow in the service dept. that Spyderco sells complete products, not pieces. On reflection, he said he might be able to find one lying around and asked for my name and address. I never heard from him again.

That said, my question is: Do the new diamond rods fit the older 204 model base? And, are these diamond rods aggressive enough to use for knives that are really pretty far along with chipped edges and so forth? Or should I go for a diamond bench stone? Thanks for any info. Suggestions appreciated.
 
I find benchstones to have more uses than the tri-angle stones. I've even put benchstones against my 204 sticks to get a faster job at the set angle.

That said, also consider the price difference. 204D rods are 90usd factory(55usd online). I can buy a DMT benchstone for about 40cdn.
 
Hi Ichor. There is a cross section size difference between the old and new Tri-Angles. Not much, but enough to change the angles, so we've been avoiding selling bases to "Fit old stones" as the desired results may not be there.

There are also a number of companies that have "copied" our triangles at "low prices" which will also make our bases look bad.

If we charged for the base, less the costs of the stones, most would say it's too expensive for a plastic base, forgetting the costs to get to that base.....soooooooo....it's easier to just not sell them.

Flat stones are great (for plain edges), but there is a learning curve to using a flat stone that is much greater than learning the TriAngle. Wolf is particularly good with a flat stone due to the time and effort he extended to learn.

sal
 
Yah, thats one thing I keep forgetting about. Most people haven't spent 14yrs using benchstones, and know how to sharpen pretty much anything on them.

I can teach the basics in about 30-45min, but still takea about a month to get a workable edge most times. My buddy is just coming around to decent edges, and I taught him back in sept or oct last year. Bought him a 500/800 combo and spent a day teaching him the tricks. He can do paper but still can't shave on the 800.

That said, even I had to read the book and watch the movie (2x) before I felt comfortable going loose on my knives. Had used the one at local (with some coaching as I learned) on my work EDC, but not on my other pile. Took me a bit before I was getting the same level with the 204 as a benchstone. I keep mine around for serrations, the rest is still freehand.
 
I know there is a difference between the older 203 SharpMaker and the newer 204 version. Are there also two versions of the 204? If so, how can I tell which one I have?

--Bob Q
 
Hi Bob. There is only one version of the 204. It containes the base, lid, two gray (brown) medium grit ceramic stones and two white fine grit ceramic stones, two soft brass safety guards, video and instruction booklet.

We do have two accessories; the diamond coated steel triangles and the ultra-fine ceramic stones.

We have made some minor refinements as we always do, and will continue to do so until the next version is produced. These are in mold adjustments, etc. Little things to improve the product.

sal
 
Thank you! That is exactly what I wanted to know.

I have everything but the diamond hones and I expect to get those eventually. :D (For now, I'm making due with a set of the old diamond slide-on covers that were designed for the 203.)

Thanks for another great product!

--Bob Q
 
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