Possibly dumb Sharpmaker question

[r8shell]

I have been using the Lansky turnbox diamond and croc sticks, and it works pretty well for me, but I'm thinking of getting a Sharpmaker. Is it really all that much better? It looks like they basically work the same way, but the Sharpmaker has a slot for 30 degree bevel and can sharpen serrations.

My possibly dumb question: The Sharpmaker diamond rods are pretty expensive for me right now. Will the round Lansky rods fit in the triangle Sharpmake holes? -Or should I just drill 15 degree holes in a piece of 2x4 and use that?

 

[savagelh]

it probably wouldn't make a big enough difference to justify the price of the sharpmaker. If you can get a good edge with what you have than stick with it until it's worn out.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'm inclined to agree with savagelh. If you're fairly satisfied with your current setup, I don't see any NEED for a Sharpmaker. But, as with most things, whether you WANT a Sharpmaker is something else. That's entirely up to you.

If you're already considering making a 30 degree fixture, using a block of wood, for your Lansky croc sticks, by all means, go for it. I'm a big believer in making the most of whatever tools, materials & skills one has available. Building your own fixtures is a great way to keep the mind focused on the process.

There are many ways to sharpen serrations. Some wet/dry sandpaper wrapped around a narrow dowel or the shank of a screwdriver, or other such implement, can do the job just as well (in some respects, better, as you have a wide range of grit choices for the sandpaper). That's another task that you can 'tailor' to your needs, by building something that works for you.

Edited to add:
By the way, the sandpaper can be wrapped around your existing Lansky rods (secured with zip-ties, rubber bands, tape, etc.), and used in the same manner as the diamond rods for the Sharpmaker. Again, the grit can be chosen based upon how much metal needs to be removed. If you can find wooden dowels of the same diameter as your Lansky rods (maybe 1/4" or so?), you can cut them to your preferred length and 'reserve' them for use with the sandpaper. Another member here has cleverly used dowels fitted to his sharpener and coated with stropping compound (green), to strop his blades. Lots of possibilities.

 

[Nosetotail]

I didn't know that Lansky had round diamond rods for their turnbox. As to whether they fit in the sharpmaker I can't comment. If I were a betting man, I would say 99% probability that they don't. Unless a rod fits exactly, they will produce more obtuse angles which is exactly what you don't want for initial profiling.

I tried 1/2" triangle polishing stones, but they too fit loosely. In fact, the Sharpmaker diamond stones fit looser than their regular stones. I rap mine with one wrap of vinyl electrical tape to tighten them up. Like I said, you want more of an acute or at least equal angle with the initial profiling.

The sharpmaker isn't magical, it is just a little more tailor made for more exacting knife nuts. The sharper angles of the stones allow you to get much closer to the choil(I think it's called) than a round stone, and the lower angles are nice, but not necessary.


As Obsessed touched on, you have to be able to get what you want with what you have. I get 25 and 35 degrees inclusive by rocking my Sharpmaker on the supplied safety rods, and if you know a little trigonometry, you can accomplish the same thing with the turnbox. Just be sure that when you are trying lower angles that you always remember to rock the box up, cause one mistake rocking down will ruin quite a bit of work.

 

[r8shell]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably get the Sharpmaker eventually, but in the meantime, play with modifying what I have now. As I said, I'm getting the blades pretty sharp, now. I'd like to get better, and I could see myself getting all OCD about achieving specific angles.

 

[HoosierQ]

I just got a Sharpmaker and I am not really impressed. I mean, it is a quality tool. It works well for touching up kitchen knives.

I will stick to freehanding for serious work. If you like what, you've got, the Sharpmaker is pretty expensive.