Sharpmaker 204 vs. 203 Questions

R

RJ Talas

Joined
Mar 31, 1999
Messages
116
Hi! I perhaps should know the answer to this question, but I haven't really found it. But I have tried. I've scrolled back 100 days just searching for the answer!

I have neither sharpener, and am about to purchase one. My questions:

The 204 has one more angle than the 203 (or so I've read). What is the angle, and what specifically is it used for? How often is it used, and why is it (204) so much better than the previous model? Is it worth the added price factor, in terms of how much it is used?

Thanks for the replies!

------------------
Cutting through all the muck,
we get to what's really important.

John 3:3-7

God Bless You!
 
Howdy~
Here's my input...
The 204 has a 40 degree option, as well as 30 and 12.5 degrees. It has the capability to back bevel, and comes in a base that holds the stones inside when you are not using them. And it comes with a video starring Sal Glesser! What else could you possibly want?
Price is $68 retail.
Danelle
 
I don't have either model...I will soon, though. I'm going to go with the 204. Judging by the overall reviews and stuff from Joe Talmadge (ex. How to make the BM Axis 710 Perform) the 30 deg. angle is useful. I guess I'll have to see for myself...
 
RJ,

Even if you don't use the extra angle of the 204, it is worth the extra money to have everything store away so neatly in the base. Makes a very compact package which would be very easy to take into the field.

Just my AUS$0.032 (darn exchange rate)
smile.gif
.

------------------
Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
RJ,

I have both. The 204 is indeed a "better mousetrap"; like some said, it is more versatile in regards to angles, and it holds the stones more precisely. This alone makes sharpening chores quicker and easier.

I still have my 203; it is in the "war bag" for hard times. But I carry the 204 around in my briefcase. All of my professional peers carry some sort of pocket folder, and I've got a lot of favors in the bank now by putting an edge back on their blades.

Get the 204; it is one of the best investments you will ever make.

Steve
 
I agree with Clay, the carryability of the 204 is really nice. So is the scissor slot, and the other cool little features.

Best part, in my opinion of course, is the addition of the 30-degree angle. For an ATS-34 folder blade, I start off on the 30-degree sticks and take the bevel to 1/32"-1/64" of the very edge. I call this a thinning bevel, Spyderco calls it a backbevel. On top of that, I lay down the 40-degree bevels. The addition of the thinning bevels increases performance substantially, and makes it easier to sharpen next time.

One difference in technique, I think Spyderco says to lay down the 40-degree bevels first, and the 30-degree backbevel on top of that. I do it the other way around, partially because once I have my final edge I don't want to put the knife back on the stone. And partially because I want the final edge bevel to go easily, so I can take extra time and be extra patient with it -- and if you've already laid down 30-degree bevels, the 40-degree bevels will go quickly and easily.
Same result either way though.

Joe
 
I'd definitely get the 204. It basically includes everything the 203 has, plus the extra angle, a better instruction booklet, a free video if you send in your registration card, and the case is nice to keep everything together.

Ray

------------------
Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831


 
In regards to in which order to bevel. Joe's technique is much, much saner. If you actually sharpen the edge first you now have the possibility of hitting that accidently while laying down the back bevel and thus having to redo the edge all over again. That could be very frustrating for a beginner.

The only time I would back bevel first is if I had a knife that was already sharp (had a well formed edge) and I just wanted to thin it out a little to raise the cutting performance. Odds are I will end up scraping the edge up a little anyway and will have to micro-bevel it with a ceramic rod, but that is only a couple of strokes.

-Cliff
 
Thanks for all the replies and info!
smile.gif
I'm getting the 204 in a sort of trade with a fellow forumite! (Thanks, Dan!)

Being a novice in the sharpening department (I used to collect and never use, but now I'm using a lot), I am looking forward to using this system that supposedly even beginners like me can use and get great edges. Maybe now my knives will be able to cut more than butter!
wink.gif


------------------
Cutting through all the muck,
we get to what's really important.

John 3:3-7

God Bless You!
 
Rich,

Enjoy it once you get it.
smile.gif
I think I've enjoyed Spyderco's Profile700 and the Doublestuff (both needs freehand sharpening) too much to even dare use the Sharpmaker 204.

Oh yeah, not yet sure, but I might JUST be able to drop it off personally at your place instead of having to ship it via LBC.
smile.gif
smile.gif

Prepare a feast, heheheh..

Dan
 
Oh yeah, almost forgot... The video will follow thereafter, as I'm still waiting for it from Danelle.
smile.gif

In the meantime, I can always try to dress up like Sal, and look like Sal, and demo it in front of you if you wish... lol..
smile.gif


Dan
 
Dan - Since I've only seen a picture of Sal once, and we haven't seen eye to eye yet, you just might be able to pull it off! Except, siguro hindi marunong mag-Tagalog naman si Sal. (Then again, hindi natin siya kilala! Baka marunong siya!)

Let me know when you might come, so we can pluck the chicken!
wink.gif
Much better sana, cuz gusto kitang makilala sa personal, hindi lang sa email, eh!
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To others who may be reading these lines: I apologize for writing in our native Philippine language. I'll try to control myself nga.
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------------------
Cutting through all the muck,
we get to what's really important.

John 3:3-7

God Bless You!
 
No problem, Rich...
Say, aren't you also an American who just happened to have lived here for 15 years or so?
smile.gif


Anyway, what chickens are you planning to pluck? Let's just save them using the BF Native, after what it did to my finger.. hehehe..

The Sharpmaker is waiting over here (along with the bonus extra thingamajig). Do you want me to ship it now? or do you want me to ship them all at the same time?

Dan
 
I'll try this again...I have the 203 and am happy with it, but I would like to get a copy of the new 204 video to watch. How/Where can I get one?



------------------
~Keith~
"War to the knife and knife to the hilt"

 
I will try again also Keith...
I purchased a 204 from the Bladeforums.com store.(thats almost poetic)
Here's my deal.There is a slip of paper in package with an offer for a free instructional video.The offer requires I mail in product registration card.There was no such card included in package.I searched for it when I recieved it and when I read related posts.
Am I SOL or can I still take advantage of this great offer?/How?
I would appreciate a response on this matter.

Thanks:Jeff A.
 
I like to use the 30 degree angle on the 204 for my edge...seems to be even more scary sharp than the 40 degree one. This works great on knives that have a thin profile to begin with, thicker profiles take a long time to get the back bevel down to 30 degrees. The thin edge this produces will probably not hold as long as the thicker edge but it is very impressive. Question: My old crock sticks seem to take off material faster than the Sharpmaker. Didn't Sal comment on this once to do some kind of rubbing on the sticks to "break them in" and make them cut more aggressively?
 
Apologies for not replying on video availability.

We hadn't really thought about selling or distributing the video without the tool since the video is about the tool. I don't think it would be practical for dealers to stock extra videos.

I'm sure we can work out something with Charlie at SFO. Have to figure out costs, shipping, etc.

Charlie can chase this down for you.

sal
 
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