Sharpmaker, Edge-Pro, and general sharpening questions...

[FliGuyRyan]

I know this has been talked about a great deal on bladeforums, and I offer my apologies up front. But, recently I've been frustrated by my Kershaw ZDP-189/Ti Leek concerning the fact of its blade. I used it for some heavy plastic cutting and it became reasonably "not sharp" (not necessarily dull yet), but it actually came from the factory that way and I was disappointed on that regard (Nov 06 date on blade).

I know this thing can have a razor edge on it and that it what I want. I also know that the Spyderco Sharpmaker and Edge Pro Apex will both do just fine for that, but I really want to know the forum-member's opinions on this. I also own a Benchmade Auto-Stryker with 154CM, Leatherman Charge TTi with S30V, and a CRKT M16-13M with AUS8. I have a diamond rod at home that my dad uses to sharpen his kitchen knives and he can get those things sharper than the "15 blade" on Nip/Tuck. I don't mind paying for the Edge Pro just as long as it will be that much greater of an asset to my father and I's knives. Also, we own a LOT of German knives from Solingen like Kissing Crane and Eyeball (etc...) that I would like to sharpen as well.

This is very frustrating on top of my lack of sharpening knowledge in the first place combined with my ignorance on blade geometry and different grinds.

What sites have the Sharpmaker and Edge Pro for the cheapest (with shipping) and also, do you know of any links that explain the geometries, grinds and even blade metals?

Thanks, and sorry for a seemingly redundant post. I couldn't get all the answers out of my search...

Sincerely,
Ryan

P.S. With regards to my dad's kitchen knives, does anyone know (or has anyone used) this Furi "Ozitech" knife sharpener?

http://www.ozitech.com/

 

[knarfeng]

I
What sites have the Sharpmaker and Edge Pro for the cheapest (with shipping) and also, do you know of any links that explain the geometries, grinds and even blade metals?

Don't know about cheapest edge pro, but cheaper than dirt has the sharpmaker for for $42.05.

Look on the Toolshed Forum for lots of answers on sharpening, including info on Sharpmaker, EdgePro and ZDP189.

For steels and geometries look at Joe Talmadge's "Steel FAQ" sticky on the Toolshed Forum.

Knarf

 

[Colog]

I have an edge pro, I have a sharp maker, I have zdp blades. ZDP is a very hard metal. It takes a nice edge and you can get it wicked sharp. However, if you plan on changing the angles on your blade, you have to chose the edge pro. Even if your bevels are at 15 degrees per side from the factory, it will take a long, long time to sharpen with the sharpmaker at 15 degrees. If you wanted to reduce the angle to 20 degrees on a 15 degree blade, it would be quicker. The 15 degree bevel acting as a back bevel.
That said, with an edge pro, you can chose nearly any angle you want and achieve that angle relatively quickly compared to the sharpmaker.
So its really about how much your time is worth to you. You can save money with the sharpmaker, and spend hours scraping your blade on the stones. Or you can get an edge pro, for more money, but have much greater control of your angles and its a lot faster.

 

[FliGuyRyan]

Colog,

That's what I've been thinking and I'll probably go with the Edge Pro then. I'll have to talk my dad into going in on it with me...

Although, I do have a concern with all the angles that I could make the blade. I just use it primarily for pull cuts where an extremely sharp blade would be necessary (like non-nylon rope), but I imagine I'll just have to get it an experiment.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Cougar Allen]