sharpmaker and bladetip? how do you do it?

J

Jim malone

Joined
May 25, 2007
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I have the same problem while using my sharpmaker. When i reach the bottom of the stone the tip of the blade tends to round of because it slips of the stone rounding the tip. How do you guys prevent this? Should i be more careful? should i slow my stroke down?
 
I time my strokes so that the tip is at the bottom of the stone and the edge just in front catches the plastic at the base. Very easy on Spyderco knives with their modified clip point/ drop point. Takes a little more practice on others.
 
Why do you hit the plastic? Seems like it wouldn't take too many sharpenings with a sharp knife to really chew up the plastic and I don't see how it would let you know the tip is on the stone.

I use the flats of the stone and just stop the stroke with the tip on the stone. If you are going so fast you can't control the tip on the flats, I can't imagine you are holding the blade vertical with every stroke and ending up with a very sharp blade. I don't let my knives get real dull if I can help it, so it doesn't need a ton of sharpening. I don't end up going real fast on the sharp maker so I can concentrate on keeping the blade vertical and not pulling the tip off the stones. Maybe others who have used it a lot more can go fast and have control of the blade? But I would suggest slowing things down and seeing if that helps.
 
You can also reverse the stroke and start with the tip of the blade at the top of the stone. This slows me down a bit, but sometimes slower is actually faster (and sharper).
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Why do you hit the plastic? Seems like it wouldn't take too many sharpenings with a sharp knife to really chew up the plastic and I don't see how it would let you know the tip is on the stone.

I use the flats of the stone and just stop the stroke with the tip on the stone. If you are going so fast you can't control the tip on the flats, I can't imagine you are holding the blade vertical with every stroke and ending up with a very sharp blade. I don't let my knives get real dull if I can help it, so it doesn't need a ton of sharpening. I don't end up going real fast on the sharp maker so I can concentrate on keeping the blade vertical and not pulling the tip off the stones. Maybe others who have used it a lot more can go fast and have control of the blade? But I would suggest slowing things down and seeing if that helps.
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This is exactly what I do. I just go slow, paying special attention to keeping the blade vertical and not running the tip off of the stone. It takes some more time but it is fairly easy to get needle sharp tips with a SM.
 
Very easy actually. Don't use more pressure than the blade and pull the tip straight back off the stone.
 
Jim malone said:
I have the same problem while using my sharpmaker. When i reach the bottom of the stone the tip of the blade tends to round of because it slips of the stone rounding the tip. How do you guys prevent this? Should i be more careful? should i slow my stroke down?
Click to expand...

As others have intimated in this thread, you've answered your own question. :D :D :D Don't slip the tip off the stone. Try to stop at the tip.
 
rye_a said:
You can also reverse the stroke and start with the tip of the blade at the top of the stone. This slows me down a bit, but sometimes slower is actually faster (and sharper).
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^^This. :thumbup:

Very easy to do, and works great. Just gently place the tip on the flat of the hone at the top (it's easier to 'feel' for flush contact this way too), and 'push' down and away, finishing at the ricasso. I honestly don't know why Spyderco doesn't include this tip in their instructions; it works so much better. Sort of a no-brainer, once you try it. :)

And yes, keep it light & slow (always). Trying to rush things, or leaning into it too heavily, always diminishes results.

Additionally, I almost never use the corners of the hones anymore, because they'll exert excessive pressure on a fine edge (creates burrs/wires, often results in rolling or chipping). Way too easy to cause more problems than remedy them, especially if still trying to learn the technique.


David
 
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Thx for the advice. The rounded tip occured when i sharpened an abused Temperance. The blade was so dull you could actually see the dulled edge. I used the shapmaker but got frustrated due to the fact that the blade was so dull it took a loooong time to get it shaving sharp again. I sharpened my Gayle Bradley about an hour ago and was able to sharpen it hair whittling sharp without slipping :D The tip is nice and crisp. Thx for the tip on the reverse technique.
 
I permanently mounted my sharpmaker on a piece of cement countertop. I use two hands. It works well for me.

I like the reverse, pushing and not pulling idea. I will give that a try soon.
 
rye_a said:
You can also reverse the stroke and start with the tip of the blade at the top of the stone. This slows me down a bit, but sometimes slower is actually faster (and sharper).
Click to expand...

Facinating tip ! :thumbup: I was holding the blade more toward vertical at times to catch the tip on the down stroke.
 
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