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sharpeners
- Thread starter ti479
- Start date
well if ya are good at free hand sharpening a DMT coarse and fine duofold and a spyderco ultrafine stone are all ya would ever need.
the best "system" for sharpening is the spyderco sharpmaker, easy to use/set up, works just fine for me.
the edgepro and gatco are good too, just takes time to set them up/ya gotta clamp a guide on the blade which can scuff/mar it, i prefer the sharpmaker myself.
the best "system" for sharpening is the spyderco sharpmaker, easy to use/set up, works just fine for me.
the edgepro and gatco are good too, just takes time to set them up/ya gotta clamp a guide on the blade which can scuff/mar it, i prefer the sharpmaker myself.
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
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Welcome to Bladeforums!
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I have a lansky shaprener and it works like a charm- spyderco's probably better tho
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i use the worthog sharpening system and i am happy with it. Basically some nice stones with an angle giude.
For quick touch ups especially on cheaper knives and kitchen knies i use the worthog v
For quick touch ups especially on cheaper knives and kitchen knies i use the worthog v
Depends on what you plan on doing with it.
If you're just doing touch ups. Not agressively reprofiling. A Sharp Maker might be your best bet. But if you are going to be radically changing angles on knifes you'll wear your arm out using it though. The Sharp Maker without some tinkering and jury rigging is limited to two angles.
Blade lengths being sharpened. If they are relatively short say under 7 inches. Then a clamp system, Lansky or Gatco might be just what you're looking for. Down side is oil stones and the angles are limited by the clamp. You won't be able to go all that low. The cadillac of clamp systems is the Eze-Sharp. It's big. It does require water stones. Again the clamp does limit low angles.
If you're good a holding an angle get a few synthetic water stones and have at it. The learning curve if you've never sharpened free hand can be a long while and you can damage knives in the learning stage. The down side is it can be addictive and you end up being a stone collector.
The alternative to stones is a scary sharp system from Hand American. Using various grit papers and polishing film on glass. If you want to be cheap on it get a 4 X 4 block of wood plane it to 2 x 3 and sand it totally smooth seal it with a good plastic coat varnish. Get a piece of glass cut to fit and build your own scary sharp system.
If you want the absolute best there is then get a Edge Pro Professional or Apex. The Professional model is expensive but you get what you pay for. The Apex may be the most under rated sharpener in the world for the cost. The "Edge Pro Shuffle" can be difficult for some people. Most however get the hang of it in less than half an hour.
If you only do convex sharpening the only way to go is a belt sander and various grit belts and leather. You can try the mouse pad and sandpapers and films but this is in my opinion a big step down from a belt sander. It will work but it can be very slow and it has the potential to mar good blades. A belt sander does take some practice so you don't burn blades and ruin the temper and heat treat.
I say get them all and learn how to use them. If nothing else you will learn what makes a great edge. I'll bet that the Edge Pro - Apex or Professional will get the most use. All have their good points though. Really does depend on what you want to do and how much sharpening you have to do. If you're sharpening 50 blades a month or 5 blades a month there is a big difference.
If you're just doing touch ups. Not agressively reprofiling. A Sharp Maker might be your best bet. But if you are going to be radically changing angles on knifes you'll wear your arm out using it though. The Sharp Maker without some tinkering and jury rigging is limited to two angles.
Blade lengths being sharpened. If they are relatively short say under 7 inches. Then a clamp system, Lansky or Gatco might be just what you're looking for. Down side is oil stones and the angles are limited by the clamp. You won't be able to go all that low. The cadillac of clamp systems is the Eze-Sharp. It's big. It does require water stones. Again the clamp does limit low angles.
If you're good a holding an angle get a few synthetic water stones and have at it. The learning curve if you've never sharpened free hand can be a long while and you can damage knives in the learning stage. The down side is it can be addictive and you end up being a stone collector.
The alternative to stones is a scary sharp system from Hand American. Using various grit papers and polishing film on glass. If you want to be cheap on it get a 4 X 4 block of wood plane it to 2 x 3 and sand it totally smooth seal it with a good plastic coat varnish. Get a piece of glass cut to fit and build your own scary sharp system.
If you want the absolute best there is then get a Edge Pro Professional or Apex. The Professional model is expensive but you get what you pay for. The Apex may be the most under rated sharpener in the world for the cost. The "Edge Pro Shuffle" can be difficult for some people. Most however get the hang of it in less than half an hour.
If you only do convex sharpening the only way to go is a belt sander and various grit belts and leather. You can try the mouse pad and sandpapers and films but this is in my opinion a big step down from a belt sander. It will work but it can be very slow and it has the potential to mar good blades. A belt sander does take some practice so you don't burn blades and ruin the temper and heat treat.
I say get them all and learn how to use them. If nothing else you will learn what makes a great edge. I'll bet that the Edge Pro - Apex or Professional will get the most use. All have their good points though. Really does depend on what you want to do and how much sharpening you have to do. If you're sharpening 50 blades a month or 5 blades a month there is a big difference.
best:edge pro (~$180)
darn good:spyderco sharpmaker (~$50)
works good but takes longer:lansky(~$30)
I used a lansky system for years till I got the edge pro and sharpmaker. The lansky you have to clamp the blade down.Not a big deal but takes another 30 seconds and long blades have to be reclamped and moved a couple times. Sharpmaker doesnt require this therfore quicker. The edge pro just rules. Its a little slower to setup but can put an edge on like no other. I have all 3 btw.
darn good:spyderco sharpmaker (~$50)
works good but takes longer:lansky(~$30)
I used a lansky system for years till I got the edge pro and sharpmaker. The lansky you have to clamp the blade down.Not a big deal but takes another 30 seconds and long blades have to be reclamped and moved a couple times. Sharpmaker doesnt require this therfore quicker. The edge pro just rules. Its a little slower to setup but can put an edge on like no other. I have all 3 btw.
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- 1,670
Not to evade your question, ti479, but almost any sharpening "system" is only as good as the understanding and skill of the user. If you know what you're doing you can apply a good edge with just an inexpensive combination stone.
My recommendation is read Joe's Talmadge's sharpening FAQ, and the many excellent sharpening threads on this forum ..... Cliff Stamp, Jeff Clark and HoB who post here are all very knowledgeable, many of their posts are like professional tutorials of sharpening technique and theory.
Invaluable also IMO is some way of examining edges close-up, like a 30-40 power microscope (can be picked up lots of places, Radio Shack for one IIRC.) When you can see what's happening to the edge while you work it, it improves your skills tremendously.
My recommendation is read Joe's Talmadge's sharpening FAQ, and the many excellent sharpening threads on this forum ..... Cliff Stamp, Jeff Clark and HoB who post here are all very knowledgeable, many of their posts are like professional tutorials of sharpening technique and theory.
Invaluable also IMO is some way of examining edges close-up, like a 30-40 power microscope (can be picked up lots of places, Radio Shack for one IIRC.) When you can see what's happening to the edge while you work it, it improves your skills tremendously.
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- Aug 2, 2006
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- 2,809
I've been using a Sharpmaker and HandAmerica leather strops with Bark River Knife and Tool stropping abrasive sticks. The optional Diamond triangles for the Sharpmaker are expensive, but if you need to remove a lot of metal, they will work for you.
The most important aspect of sharpening is to KEEP your blades sharp, so that after use, you only need to strop, not hone.
If you let them get dull, it's a P.I.T.A. to resharpen, no matter what system you use.
The most important aspect of sharpening is to KEEP your blades sharp, so that after use, you only need to strop, not hone.
If you let them get dull, it's a P.I.T.A. to resharpen, no matter what system you use.
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Get a DMT D8XX 120 grit benchstone, a plastic and steel waterstone holder for it and the Sharpmaker. That's best 'system.' If the Sharpmaker can't handle your knife's edge, it was ground too thick. The D8XX will let you regrind the knife until it will work with the Sharpmaker.
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When I rediscovered this forum recently, I so happened did a search on "sharpener" and found this thread. I've had my Lansky clamp sharpener for over fifteen years now but I've never been satisfied with the edge it left on my knives. When I saw Edge Pro being mentioned a few time in this thread I decided to check out the website. This is exactly what I been looking for in a quality knife sharpening system for years! I pulled all the stops out and recently ordered the Professional Kit #3 with all the bling bling accessories
. I have quite a few knives (and scissors) to sharpen and I recently acquired a couple custom EDC knives so this sharpening system will work out great after I learn how to use it properly.
. I have quite a few knives (and scissors) to sharpen and I recently acquired a couple custom EDC knives so this sharpening system will work out great after I learn how to use it properly.
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thombrogan said:
Oh, NO! The D8XX secret has escaped from the DMT thread. Now EVERYONE will know!
I ordered my D8XX yesterday from AllPro Tools --turns out they're on back-order so I'll have to wait a while. In the mean time I'll stick with my EdgePro / Sharpmaker combination. Thanks for the tip Thom.Mark
Sharpmaker -
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77
1. Sharpens plain, serrated and other style blades. Comes with good instruction DVD or VHS tape.
2. Preset angles perfect for 99.9% of all knives.
3. Portable and easily storable and sets up in a flash.
4. Doesn't scratch the blade.
5. Cheap.
6. Safe to use with blade guards.
7. Doesn't need a liquid to work effectively.
8. Has different grits for different kinds of knife edge sharpening.
9. It works. Quickly. Easily. Inexpensively.
Here is a first hand testimonial from a guy who got a good knife without any edge.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416788
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77
1. Sharpens plain, serrated and other style blades. Comes with good instruction DVD or VHS tape.
2. Preset angles perfect for 99.9% of all knives.
3. Portable and easily storable and sets up in a flash.
4. Doesn't scratch the blade.
5. Cheap.
6. Safe to use with blade guards.
7. Doesn't need a liquid to work effectively.
8. Has different grits for different kinds of knife edge sharpening.
9. It works. Quickly. Easily. Inexpensively.
Here is a first hand testimonial from a guy who got a good knife without any edge.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416788
DGG said:
I hate I can't sharpen none of my Benchmades with it, not my 710 nor my HK 14200 will work, they must have a superthick bevel (50º or so)...
I can use my lansky on them but I can't get the same results as with the ones I sharpen with my sharpmaker.
Any other of my blades will get shaving sharp on it in no time, I got the super fine rods too and I have a bald right forearm now
If you can afford it I highly recommend the Edge Pro. You will never need another sharpener unless you want to reprofile some blades. If so get a large coarse benchstone.(Trust me I just went through this, Edgepro course stones wear quickly on high end steel) I also have the Sharpmaker and use it for quick touch ups. For $50 the Sharpmaker does a great job.