Sharpener Grits

clanderson

clanderson

Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
90
I am using Smith's 3 in 1 Sharpener, and it seems as though I can get a nice edge on my blades (enough to shave with), but I know it could be better! There are only two "grits" in the system: their diamond stone and their ceramic V rods:

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But it feels like I'm missing something! I'm not completely satisfied with my edges.. Is there another stone I could (or rather, should) get to compliment this simple system?
Also, how will I know when the diamond stone is wearing out? After just a few knives, it already seems smoother than it was
 
Hello

I cant comment on the quality of this one as i never used it but most diamond sharpeners have a break in period until they stabilize for a long time, assuming you dont use too much pressure.

Have you tried to strop your edge afterward ? It does help a lot cleaning the apex after stone work.
 
Besides the carbide scraper and the wide fixed angle of the ceramic rods, it looks like a pretty good sharpening tool. If you want something to complement the Smith's sharpener then I'd say to try stropping on compound and/or pick up a coarse stone (Norton Crystolon, India, or coarse DMT).
 
Yeah i noticed the carbide scraper too but i assumed OP didnt use it as he didnt mentioned it, otherwise this stuff looks okay.
Whats the angle set up on these crock sticks ?
 
I don't use the carbide scrapers unless it's a terribly chipped or flat edge. I'm not sure on the angle, I think I've heard it's 23. I've been thinking about getting the "Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System" so I can get some precise edges and don't have to worry about keeping a steady angle - anybody know about the quality of that one?

All in all, are there any recommendations on a cheap sharpener that is good for a newbie? Haha
 
Lansky clamp kit is quite good but kind of slow with the regular stones if you have to reprofile obtuse or badly abused blades but the results are vey consistent with a bit of learning curve.
If i were you i would go with a basic diamond set instead of the deluxe standard stones.
You may take a look at the Spyderco sharpmaker aswell, but keep in mind this one is much more about frequent touch ups than the lansky is.
 
stalag2 said:
Lansky clamp kit is quite good but kind of slow with the regular stones if you have to reprofile obtuse or badly abused blades but the results are vey consistent with a bit of learning curve.
If i were you i would go with a basic diamond set instead of the deluxe standard stones.
You may take a look at the Spyderco sharpmaker aswell, but keep in mind this one is much more about frequent touch ups than the lansky is.
Click to expand...

Generally agree, with maybe one qualification. You could just buy one coarse/xc Lansky diamond hone to supplement the 'Deluxe' kit. Heavy grinding & reprofiling with the standard hones in that kit will be very slow on more wear-resistant steels like S30V, D2, etc., and it might also dish or otherwise wear out the standard hones. A supplementary diamond hone for the first-stage grinding would speed things up, and then the standard hones in the rest of the sequence should work well enough to further refine the edge. The Fine (600) and UF (1000) ceramic hones in the 'Deluxe' kit are excellent finishing hones, and they aren't included in the diamond kits.
 
I've got a link to this sharpener on e-bay.. it's.. it looks too good to be true.. but am I allowed to post that here? Looks just like an Edgepro Apex

Ug, nevermind, it looks like a hunk of trash
 
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Is it that Edgepro copycat ? If so the subject is quite sensitive as i remember a thread about it and the ethics about copycats and patent infringements...
 
Yes, that's exactly how I felt! I didn't want to even take part in it; I'm just starting this community here and I don't wanna start things off buying one of those knockoffs lol.. just feels nasty and wrong!

I'll deal with whatever I get for now and get the real deal when I'm able :)
 
clanderson said:
I am using Smith's 3 in 1 Sharpener, and it seems as though I can get a nice edge on my blades (enough to shave with), but I know it could be better!
Click to expand...

If you are getting an edge that is enough to shave with, there is no "better." That's just fine. :cool: Can you get more refined or keener? Sure, but that's not "better." That's just different!
 
There are a lot of ways to build a dirt cheap strops, i personally use denim stretched and nailed to hardwood or balsa both loaded with compounds, you can also use various kinds of cardboard and papers unloaded as they contain abrasive particles.
If you wanna go with leather i advise you to do a search about Stitchawl's posts, he's very knowledgeful on the subject and a strong advocate for bare leather homemade strops.
 
I cant edit my posts for some reason but i just wanted to add that if you dont want to mess with the DIY way you could take a look at the Knivesplus strop block, fairly inexpensive and preloaded with chromium oxide, no need to load it further and it is self rejuvenating if you give it a rub with a bit of olive oil.
There are some videos on Youtube about it. The price is around 20 bucks.
 
I bought one of those a couple of years ago on clearance at a local sporting goods store just for the ceramic rods. The kit as a whole makes no sense to me, with the carbide scraper, a diamond plate of 750 grit and the ceramic rods of 800 grit with a single angle option of 23 degrees. Again, I was only after the rods (4") for field kits as they are V-shaped on one side, rounded on the other and have a hook groove and I have been very pleased with those. If it had a more coarse diamond plate along with different angle options for the rods and minus the scraper they would really be on to something.
 
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