Purchase One More Good Knife, Or Purchase A Good Knife Sharpener?

[NRA]

The title pretty much sums it up, does the collection mean more to you, or the edge you have on the knives you have?

If you are into sharpening, let us know what sharpener you prefer.

For me the edge matters, and I prefer the Ken Onion WorkSharp.

 

[Kowan]

I use the Wicked Edge Pro-Pack 2.

 

[HwangJino]

I have about 7 folders, and about 7 or 8 water stones.

 

[link2derek]

I put off buying an Edge Pro Apex for YEARS... because every time I went to pull the trigger, I found a knife I "had to have" instead. Finally last year, I got the EPA, and it's one of the best investments in my collection I have ever made (especially for the users!).

 

[K.O.D.]

I use the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I didn't get a (good) sharpener until this year, and I've been collecting knives 20+ years. I used to only buy really cheap knives (under $30 generally) and would just run them into the ground then throw them out.

 

[uofaengr]

To me there is more enjoyment and satisfaction in achieving a perfect edge than receiving the next knife on the list. I enjoy receiving a new knife. I enjoy it much more when it has a proper edge.

 

[NRA]

I use the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I didn't get a (good) sharpener until this year, and I've been collecting knives 20+ years. I used to only buy really cheap knives (under $30 generally) and would just run them into the ground then throw them out.

I have a SharpMaker as well. My anal side wishes there was a case that would hold all the rods available to purchase for this system. I purchased the diamonds, and the extra fine rods, but having them sit outside the kit, is a sore spot with me.

 

[Cereal_killer]

I use a set of stones. DMT 6" dia-sharp's: Coarse, fine and extra fine and a spyderco fine 8x2" ceramic. Also have a sharpmaker with all 4 sets of stones (and often use the extra fine rods as a bench stone free hand). Also have a couple stropes made from different densities of leather and several different grits of sand paper.

To me its about the total package, good knives and the best edge I can put on them. I am as happy with my sharpening equipment as I am with my knives, they are equally as important in the overall picture.

 

[loverofcutlery]

i am getting a dmt diasharp course and extra fine. will be using course, 800 grit waterstone, dmt extra fine, and 4000 grit water stone. then the strop man four stroke in that order. i used to use a smiths clamp system with lansky rods and sandpaper up to 2500 grit though.

 

[bpeezer]

Good sharpener! Awesome new knives will always be available, there's no reason to go on living with sub par edges. I use Naniwa Chosera stones, and I enjoy them so much that I honestly spend more time sharpening knives than actually using them

 

[Franciscomv]

I think good sharpeners become a necessity after a while. I got along with some regular stones from a hardware store for years, but then I moved on to Spyderco ceramic stones and was amazed at the edges I could get.

A decent set of four stones (course diamond stone; medium, fine and extra fine ceramic stones), sandpaper in different grits, leather strops and polishing compounds, isn't that big an investment (the stones will last a lifetime or three). With those tools I can sharpen any kind of cutting tool from axes to wee pocket knives, no matter the blade shape or grind. And it all packs into a small box.

I've grown to hate complicated sharpening jigs, I owned a few of them and always found them limited in some way or a pain in the behind to pack with me (I'm on the move a lot). I enjoy freehand sharpening a lot, and I like been able to keep my tools sharp while travelling with just a little stone or some sandpaper.

 

[McVeyMac]

I use the Wicked Edge Pro-Pack 2.

I use what he said, but it will set you back $$$.

Good sharpener! Awesome new knives will always be available, there's no reason to go on living with sub par edges. I use Naniwa Chosera stones, and I enjoy them so much that I honestly spend more time sharpening knives than actually using them

I am also using H2O stones, a 1,000 and a 6,000 with a 10,000 grit polish. This is where I am heading for all of my sharpening. Freehand on water stones. But, until my skills are developed to the point where I can get exceptional results freehand every time on every blade shape that I own, I use the Wicked Edge. Mine will be for sale, someday soon I hope.

 

[HwangJino]

And besides, factory edges are always terrible.

 

[Bigfatts]

I have a SharpMaker as well. My anal side wishes there was a case that would hold all the rods available to purchase for this system. I purchased the diamonds, and the extra fine rods, but having them sit outside the kit, is a sore spot with me.

Have you thought of using a tool roll of some sort? I have a couple made for punches and larger drill bits that I imagine would work just fine. Or perhaps even a cigar holder, one of those leather ones that hold 2 or 3. Might be a little large but it could work.

I use a Sharpmaker as well. Just got it before Xmas and I love it. I'm capable of putting much better edges on my blades now. I need to get the extra fine stones for it now.

 

[Krav]

I own a WE, sharp maker, bought some cheap tri hone oil stones. I should be receiving this week shapton 320-1000-5000 stones with 140 diamond flattener, holder, and 2 strops.

I want to get good at free hand. I was faced with the same decision you are in, and I chose stones.

 

[Bob6794]

Good set of sharpening equipment is a must to maintain your knives. What's the point of owning knives if their dull?

I use the DMT Aligner, sometimes I use the Aligner somtimes I freehand. So far I have the C/F/EF that came with it but I plan to add the EC and EEF stones to it. Surprisingly enough the 4in stones are quite usable in my case considering I try to keep my knives 3in or smaller for blade length I was expecting more difficulty than I ran into.

 

[JulianHayes]

I have been using two natural pocket stones and a norton 2 side 2*6 stone as well as the sharpmaker fine rods. I have been very tempted to get the Ken Onion edition worksharp and that will probably be my next purchase, before I buy another knife.

 

[dkb45]

Edge. I would be lost without my Worksharp. I bought it because I figured it should be decent for the price, and I am getting crazy sharp edges compared to what I was getting before while the edges are a good deal more obtuse (somewhere around 20° per side). My belt sander was giving me about the same edges with a proper belt progression from 120 grit to 6k, then a linen and leather belt. I sharpened with the sander to around 30° inclusive or under.

My sharpener is the most important part of my collection, because I could buy the belt knife on the market and it doesn't mean a thing if I still eventually lose the edge. Since I can sharpen quickly and easily, I can get by with "lower grade" steels like AUS-8. Now I just need a frame lock manual flipper with lefty drilling and a "lower" steel for a good price around $50.

 

[ATwistedStaple]

I use the spyderco sharpmake and waterstones. I like the waterstones, but some blades are much easier to sharpen on the sharpmaker. If you use your knives at all you really need to invest in a decent sharpener. The sharpmaker seems to find the best balance between results and ease of use imho.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Since my knives tend to be more expensive, and I gift most of them, I want the edges to be good. I have various stones and such, as well as a Sharpmaker, but finally bought an Apex EdgePro and a 2" diamond stone that fits in the EdgePro.
The EdgePro does what I want, but I would be "happier" if I could do freehand sharpening.