Sage I is AMAZING -- how doe they sharpen it?

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
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Recently I bought myself a Christmas present in the form of a new Sage I knife.

This is an absolutely beautiful knife with which I am complete happy. The carbon fiber scales are beautiful. I love the full flat grind and leaf-shaped blade. The blade is perfectly centered, opens smoothly and locks solid. The two hand positions are great -- I think I would only choke up for more delicate work but it's nice to have the option.

Finally, this knife came amazingly sharp. Out of about 20 knives I've purchased new, the only thing as sharp was my Fallkniven S-1.

Does anybody know how Spyderco sharpens this knife? Specifically, what angle do they use and do they polish the edge?

If I wanted to recreate this edge using my basic Sharp Maker setup for other knives, how would I do it? 30 degrees and use both stones in both positions?

Really, it just slices through paper with zero resistance!

I am a huge fan of this knife for aesthetics and functionality. I like the blade design so much more than the Native and Native III.

Thanks for any feedback on sharpening, and letting me rave about this amazing purchase.

Best,
Michael
 
It's my favorite Spyderco. Absolutely beautiful and to my eyes, flawless.
 
Congrats on your Sage 1. It is a really great knife.

Here's what Sal said in another thread about how they sharpen their knives:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706359&page=2

We shoot for 30 degrees. As mentioned, they are sharpened by hand so error is possible, but normally, we're about 30 degrees inclusive.

We can resharpen them for you.

"Perfect" edges are not possible. Too many variables. We strive for excellent edges.

sal
Click to expand...

When the time comes to resharpen your Sage you can try just using the 30* setting and see how it performs. If you notice chipping or rolling of the edge then put a 40* micro-bevel on it.

Cheers :)
 
Spydercos are hand-sharpened, so they have some variation in edge angles. My Lil' Temperance also has a leaf-shape, FFG blade and it is possibly my sharpest Spyderco so far.

As far as maintaining a very sharp edge, 30 degrees is what they usually go for at the factory, so you will do well to recreate it for most edge uses. You can always take it down a little more for more slice-ability, but it will not be as strong. I like 30 degrees for almost everything.

Glad you enjoy your Sage! I hope to get one of those for the collection someday along with the Sage II.
 
I love my Sage I. For my purposes, it's the ultimate EDC. Light, no blade play, perfectly centered and a smooth opener.

If there is one thing I'd change, it would be a little more belly on the blade. I actually like the Tenacious blade shape better, a little straighter at the topline, and a more upswept edge.

I only say this so as not to be accused of being a fanboy! I'll post some pics of my Sage 1 this weekend, and I'll try to be creative.
 
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For what it's worth, the edge bevels on my Sage 1 were considerably less than 15 per side, closer to 10 per side or 20 included. Using the SharpMaker rods in the 30 degree (backbevel) slots put a nice microbevel on mine without touching the flat of the edge bevel.
 
yablanowitz said:
For what it's worth, the edge bevels on my Sage 1 were considerably less than 15 per side, closer to 10 per side or 20 included. Using the SharpMaker rods in the 30 degree (backbevel) slots put a nice microbevel on mine without touching the flat of the edge bevel.
Click to expand...

That's my experience on the two Sage 1's and two Sage 2's I have too.

A few strokes on the 30 and they were as sharp as can practically be.
 
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what everyone else says. A while ago I asked charlynn what they use to sharpen and she replied saying that the knives in golden are sharpened with a mid grit belt and burr is removed and polished with a buffing wheel. She didn't clarify wheter or not compound is used in cojuction. She doesn't know what other factories use to sharpen them (spyderco factories in seki,taiwan (which is where sage is made)) hope this helps.
 
yablanowitz said:
For what it's worth, the edge bevels on my Sage 1 were considerably less than 15 per side, closer to 10 per side or 20 included. Using the SharpMaker rods in the 30 degree (backbevel) slots put a nice microbevel on mine without touching the flat of the edge bevel.
Click to expand...

My SageII is the same way, and I'm glad. I've bought alot of knives in my many years, and think my SageII came sharper than any, including customs.
 
Congrats on your Sage! Now you gotta get the Sage 2 CGM and I's favorite of the two by a hair. ;]

Both are exceptional knives as you said and just fit like a glove!
 
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