Sharpening Sebenza

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gk88

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Feb 12, 2014
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I know Chris Reeve recommends the Spyderco sharp maker, but does anyone know whether I should use the 30 or 45 degree side?
 
The Spyderco Sharpmaker settings are 30 and 40 degrees. 30 degrees is 15 degrees per side. Its good for very thin bladed knives like kitchen knives, fillet knives, etc. Its a super sharp edge, but not as durable and strong.................40 degrees is 20 degrees per side and is what CRK uses as well as many other makers. Its a thicker angled edge and can get pretty sharp and is much more durable and stout for heavy cutting chores.
 
I free hand sharpen and I have only ever sharpened to about 30 degrees total inclusive. I have never had any real issues with the edge. Note I don't hammer the edge. But it holds up fine.
 
Sharp maker is good for maintaining an edge not a reprofile. If you a chipped blade or want to change the degree then I'd get something else. You could start with a lansky kit like I did and I can remove chips and what not in 10 minutes. When done right it gives me a mirror polish finish you can shave with. I use a lansky on my insingo and my xm-18, which are what I carry for work and beat the hell out if and the lansky gets them razor sharp in about 10-15 minutes. Many will recommend an edge pro or a wicked edge, they are among the best but cost more than some knives themselves so it's all about what your goal is
 
BmoreJeff said:
Sharp maker is good for maintaining an edge not a reprofile. If you a chipped blade or want to change the degree then I'd get something else. You could start with a lansky kit like I did and I can remove chips and what not in 10 minutes. When done right it gives me a mirror polish finish you can shave with. I use a lansky on my insingo and my xm-18, which are what I carry for work and beat the hell out if and the lansky gets them razor sharp in about 10-15 minutes. Many will recommend an edge pro or a wicked edge, they are among the best but cost more than some knives themselves so it's all about what your goal is
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The ceramic set or the diamond? Thanks!
 
You can reprofile an edge on the sharpmaker. I did my old strider smf which comes with the goofy strider 23 degree angle. I took it to 20 degrees. I used only the brown stones and a sharpie. I have heard the diamond rods will speed up the process.
 
nyefmaker said:
You can reprofile an edge on the sharpmaker. I did my old strider smf which comes with the goofy strider 23 degree angle. I took it to 20 degrees. I used only the brown stones and a sharpie. I have heard the diamond rods will speed up the process.
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I agree. There's no task you can't do with a sharpmaker. You just have to be patient, and have a little finesse as well. I like my sharpmaker. I have used it to reprofile a Spyderco Native 5 to 40 degrees, and remove some bad nicks from my Micarta 21. Typically, I sharpen with the sharpmaker brown stones and strop with a ksf leather strop with a mixture of white and green compound (it started as a geen compound strop, and has had only white compound added over the year or so I've been using it).
 
A sharp maker works fine for touchups, but I don't know how you would reprofile on it! I tried to do that exactly once, and now I just use the SM for microbevils and quick honing.
 
Ernie1980 said:
A sharp maker works fine for touchups, but I don't know how you would reprofile on it! I tried to do that exactly once, and now I just use the SM for microbevils and quick honing.
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Its easy, it just takes time is all. I have used the sharpmaker type systems for 30 years, so they are the norm for me. I dont use any of the other gadgets out there. The sharpmaker is just an improvement over the original crock stick sharpeners out there from years back.

The brown stones work fine. I have heard the diamond rods speed up the process, but never bothered to spend the $$ for them as the brown ones will work with some extra time.

Then I go to the white stones once the brown ones get the edge to where I want it.

If I want a polished edge or that extra fine sharpness, I go to the ultra fine stones.
 
I just ordered my first small Sebenza. And I'm not an expert at sharpening dull blades, though I'm going to have to learn. Is there more than one model of Spyderco Sharpmaker? Or is there only one model?

Thanks!
 
There is just one model of the sharpmaker. It comes with the holder and white and brown stones. Diamond stones and ultra fine stones are extra, but not needed.
 
Love my sharpmaker, I can reprofile or iron out chips/rolls well too. The only problem I have with it, and it's totally user error, is sharpening the curved belly section of my umnum and my traditional knives that have it. then i take one of the rods out of the base, and freehand just that section. I don't know what it is about it being upright, I can never get a sharp edge in that spot.
 
I have both a Lansky deluxe set and turn box. The turn box does great touching up my ZT 0566 using the 20 degree angle. I only use the fine rod to touch up. Which would you guys recommend for a Sebenza 25? 20 or 25 degrees?
 
I used my edge pro for my small sebenza (20 degrees per side, though I normally go lower for my other knives). I intend to sharpen my large sebenza on water stones, but I'm working my way up to it.
 
getout87 said:
Love my sharpmaker, I can reprofile or iron out chips/rolls well too. The only problem I have with it, and it's totally user error, is sharpening the curved belly section of my umnum and my traditional knives that have it. then i take one of the rods out of the base, and freehand just that section. I don't know what it is about it being upright, I can never get a sharp edge in that spot.
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I have the exact same problem, but I'm pretty sure it's my lack of fortitude taking the time required to get that part right. I've tried several different techniques, but still haven't found the one that works for me in particular area.
 
mrdeus said:
I used my edge pro for my small sebenza (20 degrees per side, though I normally go lower for my other knives). I intend to sharpen my large sebenza on water stones, but I'm working my way up to it.
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Just curious how you account for the single lug when using the EP?
 
getout87 said:
Love my sharpmaker, I can reprofile or iron out chips/rolls well too. The only problem I have with it, and it's totally user error, is sharpening the curved belly section of my umnum and my traditional knives that have it. then i take one of the rods out of the base, and freehand just that section. I don't know what it is about it being upright, I can never get a sharp edge in that spot.
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I plan to do a video on this. I have had many ask for one,
I just never did one before..... Lol. To sharpen the belly, you have to tilt the blade slightly to follow the curve.
 
nyefmaker said:
I plan to do a video on this. I have had many ask for one,
I just never did one before..... Lol. To sharpen the belly, you have to tilt the blade slightly to follow the curve.
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Yeah, I get the concept ( I think! lol) but for some reason just can't pull it off with the sharpmaker in the stand. After a few tries with the stone laid flat I can get a passable edge, but I just haven't worked with it enough to get my "stroke" down with my bellied blades, as I mostly have wharnies or insingo/southard shapes
 
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