sharpener?

Hawkins

Hawkins

Joined
Aug 5, 2001
Messages
571
Okay, i've got a spydercard plainedge, a combo-edge native, and various other misc. knives (leatherman, victorinox, etc)

i'm not a huge knife buff yet, so i can't really justify $50 on the spyderco thing that everyone seems to love. Whats the best, affordable way for me to keep my blades sharp, including the serrations on the native?

i noticed that the native was doing a very poor job at cutthing through an old towel i was slashing at last night, while the spydercard was slicking through it like butter.

(i use the native a lot more than the spydercard)
 
A $25 set from Lansky maybe? Wouldn't work for serrations though, unless you bought that extra hone (probably 6 bucks or something).

Just pad the clamp surfaces with painter's masking tape or something to prevent the clamp from putting a scratch on your knife's finish.
 
Lt.

If you hunt you can find the Sharpmaker 204 for around $ 42 plus shipping.

You're like me. You'd spend $ 50 on a new knife in a heartbeat but not on a sharpener.

I've used Croc Sticks, Lansky, bench stones, diamond stones, Sharpmaker, and even a SKARB over the last twenty years.

All in all the Spyderco Sharpmaker 204 is the easiest to use to consistently get a good edge on the widest variety of knives. It comes with a great video and a detailed instruction book.

The Sharpmaker is the only sharpening system I use now.

I expect to get flamed on this by the professional level people on the forum that sharpen a lot of knives but from my knife user part time non-professional sharpener point of view, the Sharpmaker 204 is the best value. Spend it now or spend it later after you are disappointed by a series of $10 sharpeners or after hours of trying to learn to use that $ 125 Sharpmaker.
 
You can get a Smith's sharpening kit at Walmart for $20. It will do a decent job, and it will handle serrations. However, I would strongly recommend the sharpmaker. I used to think that $50 was way too much to spend on a sharpener, but the sharpmaker is worth every penny and then some. It is easy to use, doesn't make a mess, and doesn't scratch your blades.
--Josh
 
Lt.,
Treat yourself. Go for the Sharpmaker 204 as previously suggested. I'm sure that you will enjoy the sharp edges on your knives long after the memory of your money disappears.;)

Check out Roger at Bayou Lafourche KnifeWorks. He offers the Sharpmaker 204 for $42.49. That's about the best price that I can find. Roger & Kristi are great to deal with and I have never heard a bad word about either of them.

--The Raptor--
 
I prefer bench stones. You could get a hard arkansas for less than $20 and keep your knives shaving sharp without too much work as long as you didn't let them go too long between sharpenings. It won't work for serrations though, and to get a full blown set you've got to be willing to spend a little.
The spyderco sharpening systems are considered to be very good by everyone here. Some may prefer to use an edgepro or other system but I haven't heard any say that the spyderco didn't work.It would probably be a good choice for you since it will meet all your needs and give you a very good edge for a fair price.
It may seem like your wasting money putting $50 into a sharpener, but are the knives really any good to you if they're not sharp? No matter how much a knife costs, it will eventually perform like a $5 flea market or gas station special without the proper care. You'll never get your money's worth out of them that way.Investing a little money in a quality sharpener will probably save you money in the long run. And after you get that edge that stampedes hair off of your arm and cuts french fries in 4 different sizes you'll never think about the $50 again ;)
 
At your local Woodcraft store they sell Ultimate Edge diamond sharpening "steels". The cross-section of these is a little like a flattened football sliced lengthwise (kind of pointy, flattish, elipsoidal). The thinner edges of these work for serrations, the flatter sides work well for recurved, straight, or convex-curved blades. The grit is somewhat fine, but fine diamond hones still cut pretty quick. The 5" model costs $16.99.

If this is still too expensive for you, go to Home Depot and get a simple 8" bench hone. Take some scrap of hard metal and smooth (slightly round) the edges of the long sides. Use these edges to sharpen your serrations and the flat surfaces for your straight edges. Most of these hones have a coarse and fine side, which will help you to do the job quicker. These hones are usually under $10.00.
 
I've been postponing buying the Sharpmaker for too long now. But, there are alternatives, at least for the nonce. (Don't get many chances to use that word. I seize all I can.)

The Tri-Seps sharpener by Gatco will work for most serrations, except Cold Steels. It is a 4 1/4" triangular ceramic rod. It has the advantage of angles on the end pieces so that one can hold the stick at an appropriate angle, and keep the blade perpendicular.

Lansky has now come out with 3 competitive ceramic rods, specifically designed for 3 kinds of serrations: Cold Steel; Spyderco; and Other. The end pieces don't have the angles of the Tri-Seps, but have cornerss very specifically designed for serrations.

Any of them cost around $10.

I think you can also get a fine diamond pocket stone in a little pouch for around the same price. Not good for serrations, but fine for PEs.

I'm real interested in the diamond stick somebody above posted about. I'd definitely give those a look. Think I will myself.
 
i'd now really consider a sharpmaker... except that recently my car died, and i'm a poor college student, now saving up for a new car shortly after i graduate in december. some of those under-$15 jobs sound best... though i gotta say, i'm the type of person who really doesn't like not getting the best available, so long as its reasonably priced. i hate compromising on quality/features for price, but eh, i have no choice now :(

i'll look into some of what you mention, and maybe somehow get the sharpmaker as a gift come the holidays :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top