Sharpmaker - Anyone else use rapid up-down strokes?

F

F308gt4

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Mar 20, 2017
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Tried something new the other day that seemed to work really well.

I used rapid (like 2-4 strokes/second) up-down strokes when sharpening a couple knives on my sharpmaker. I worked the blade in sections, going up and down rapidly. Worked one side of the knife, then the other. Then, switched to alternating strokes on each rod for about 20 strokes to finish off.

I tried this on a Spyderco delica, and a Victorinox paring knife, using only the fine, then ultra-fine stones (flat sides only), and got what I think is the sharpest result I've gotten with the sharpmaker.

I don't think I've seen anyone mention this method before, but was just experimenting with the sharpmaker. It's similar to a YouTube video I've seen (link below), but the strokes are much faster up-down motion, and I worked only a section of the blade at a time.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-MHe_8wTHmg

Curious to know if anyone else uses this technique.
 
Yes, at one point, i knew someone who did it. But i notice he almost always misses the heel and tip of the blade. Also, several cases of stabbing the rods.
 
Yes, I discovered that jdavis882 YT vid about a year ago and have been using that technique ever since for my EDC Delicas.

Works great for me.

But I always finish up with single strokes on the rod corners.
 
Yes, I frequently use this technique. To be clear, here's how I do it:

I use the flats of the rods only. Then I put a section of the blade against the rod and "scrub" up and down about 1 -2 inches; scrubbing rapidly (2 -4 strokes per second). I gradually move the blade on the stone so that the whole blade gets scrubbed. I also try to work up and down the rods a bit, so I'm not grinding in the same spot on the rod continuously. But I have to be careful near the tops of the rods so I don't slip off. So I usually just avoid the last 2 inches or so of the rods.

This rapid scrubbing helps me work up a burr more easily than slower strokes. As someone else said, I generally finish off with long continuous strokes, a lot like JDavis does. Then single straight down strokes, alternating sides when I'm making sure the burr is completely gone.

Brian.
 
bgentry said:
Yes, I frequently use this technique. To be clear, here's how I do it:

I use the flats of the rods only. Then I put a section of the blade against the rod and "scrub" up and down about 1 -2 inches; scrubbing rapidly (2 -4 strokes per second). I gradually move the blade on the stone so that the whole blade gets scrubbed. I also try to work up and down the rods a bit, so I'm not grinding in the same spot on the rod continuously. But I have to be careful near the tops of the rods so I don't slip off. So I usually just avoid the last 2 inches or so of the rods.

This rapid scrubbing helps me work up a burr more easily than slower strokes. As someone else said, I generally finish off with long continuous strokes, a lot like JDavis does. Then single straight down strokes, alternating sides when I'm making sure the burr is completely gone.

Brian.
Click to expand...

Thanks- You described it better than I did. This method seemed to work great for me. It's faster, and I was able to produce a better edge then I've done before.

Glad to see that others are doing similar, and that I'm not out in left field.
 
Sometimes because I've had several cases where I would hop off and it the rod which would just chip or dent the blade and then I would start all over. That and the tip would get missed.

Now if I do it, it's usually free handed. That way I can slow the process down and get the tip and keep it steady so I don't hop off and it the rod or even worse, my hand
 
Mount the Thing on a piece of plywood.
Clamp it to your table.
Hold your left hand above the rods...
 
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