Sharpener recommendations?

[dudethatlikesblades]

I imagine this is a question that has been asked countless times but thought I’d ask again for good measure while I read up on some older posts. I’m new to sharpening and need a quick and efficient method of sharpening my blades. I’ve looked at the spider co sharp maker but have read that it’s really only good for touching up an edge. Anyone have experience with these? I have some dull blades that I’ll need to sharpen also. Or can anyone recommend some good sharpening stones that aren’t too expensive? At this point, any and all advice is welcome and I look forward to hearing what you all use also.

 

[vlodko_lviv]

Have your knives sharpened by a professional. it will definitely be cheaper and better than sharpening yourself without the necessary skills. Also, good things don't come cheap...
and if you get into the topic of sharpening, then you won't be able to talk about cheapness any more

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

 

[Another Shepherd]

I’m new to sharpening and need a quick and efficient method of sharpening my blades.

Kitchen knives? Pocket knives? Hunting knives? Dive knives? Big knives? Little knives? Cheap knives? Expensive knives? Serrated knives? Ceramic knives?

And how much can you afford to pay?

 

[DavidABQ]

I am a big fan of the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I understand that a lot of the new supersteels with a lot of vanadium don’t really do well on ceramics. The Sharpmaker is very easy to use and for those difficult steels to sharpen Spyderco does sell diamond and CBN rods that fit the Sharpmaker base. There are a lot of different sharpening systems out there. Take a good at all of them, pick one and be happy. Remember that a sharp knife is a sharp knife regardless on the system used to get it sharp.

 

[comis]

I am a big fan of the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I understand that a lot of the new supersteels with a lot of vanadium don’t really do well on ceramics. The Sharpmaker is very easy to use and for those difficult steels to sharpen Spyderco does sell diamond and CBN rods that fit the Sharpmaker base. There are a lot of different sharpening systems out there. Take a good at all of them, pick one and be happy. Remember that a sharp knife is a sharp knife regardless on the system used to get it sharp.

I second that. To me, when it comes to ease of use vs learning curve, Sharpmaker probably is the best there is.

Just the other day I dropped the knife and manage to roll the edge of a Spyderco with Spy27 steel, I could feel the obvious flat spot along the edge with my nail. Together with the CBN rots, maker and a strop, I was able to bring it back to factory edge(15 deg per side) condition in 5-10 min.

 

[HwangJino]

For my pocket knives, I use the KME system. Fairly priced, easy to use, and great results.

My work (sushi) knives, I use many stones. From 300 grit to 8000.

 

[Ourorboros]

You can get a 6" double sided diamond stone for less than $20. It will handle all your steels.
Like all diamond stones, don't put too much pressure on it. They last a surprisingly long time.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I hand grind all the knives I make.... I finish off with both.... An Atoma 1200 diamond plate, and a FortyTwoBlades Artic Fox.

I struggle with wondering if my Wonky, hand ground edges are good enough for my customers.... Seriously, I lose sleep over this stuff.

I keep thinking I need a guided system?

Well
My customers (friends) here, some who have collections that rival the Smithsonian....tell be My edges are the Best, sharpest they ever got from a maker..... So. That tells me that I'm Good. The equipment I use is Good.


Just off the stone..

Those curls are tiny!

Get an Artic Fox.
I'm going to buy a backup.

Edit: you will also see in my picture, of a Gossman sharping steel. Get one of those, too.