Sharpmaker Improvements

R

Redstripe_808

Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
254
I know it's hard, but what would you add/change about the sharpmaker.

I would change the material in the guards, to that of a sharpening steel and make one of them with the ridges in it. Perfect for those times when steeling is a better option than sharpening.

Anyone else?
 
I'd make the box slightly bigger to hold the ultrafine stones.

I'd also like to see a coarse stone at a lower price than the diamonds. In which case the box needs to be a little bigger still to hold the new coarse stones as well. :)

WWill
 
How about the "Super Ultra Sharpmaker Pro". Rather than just a plastic base it could be set up with adjustable angels with 6 or 7 settings. So rather than choosing between 30 or 40 you could have 24,27,30,34,37,40,or 42.
 
I love the idea of setting up the guide rods for use as sharpening steels! Is anyone at Spyderco listening? :)

Personally, I haven't felt the need for a bunch of additional angles, but I would like to see an expanded case to accomodate a set of four triangles at a time (diamond, coarse, fine, extra fine).

--Bob Q
 
Yea, that idea about turning the brass guards to steels is great. I think I would steel my knives more often than sharpening if I had that. (I don't own a steel.)
-Kevin
 
The Steel idea is great I hope Sal see it. I would like to the box a bit bigger or maybe a larger version of it keep the current one since it is handy for traveling with you. I would like to see course stones other than the diamond ones also. But man the steel Idea rocks, and wouldnt be hard to do but if going to be done there needs to be a way to set angles with them to match the sharpening rods but hey thats no biggie. I guess though would you want Steel as a protective rod? since the idea is that the brass wont hurt your blade very much if any should your hand slip, wouldnt Steel mess your blade up? Should be some way to work this out the idea is great.
 
Thanks for the +'ve response everyone.

Re: Edge protecting brass rods

I think i'd prefer the availability of having the steels, and forgo the "edge saving" softness of brass. If i slip (which i haven't done yet...knock on wood) and come down with such a force that i damage my edge, I'll still be counting my blessings that i didn't sever the tendons in my hand. (or cut myself in any manner)

People don't pay enough attention to "things" these days in general. Go for a drive, and look at all the fools on our roads! :mad: :D (heheh...rants are good for the soul)

Sal, what do you think? Good concept? Low cost manufacturing adjustment? or possible outsource? heheh..

-Redstripe808
 
The "guard rods as steels" idea was one of the first things I thought when I actually got my Sharpmaker out of the package (lest you think I'm gloating, I mean I thought I _could_ use them as steels--I didn't know too much about how hardness works back then ;) )

I'm pretty sure that brass is used to save your _fingers_, not your edge. In my experience, the brass grabs the edge, keeping it above your fingers on the base. Steel rods would let the blade slide all the way down to your fingers (and while your hand _should_ be back a bit further, why take chances?)

This is not to say Spyderco shouldn't make a butchers' steel. It's impossible to find a useful steel these days (every single one I've ever seen is either grooved or diamond-coated--what's the bloody point?) Spyderco could be the only company in the country making a proper, glass-smooth steel.

Not that it'd ever sell to Joe-Average Kitchen Commando, but _I'd_ love it. :D
 
The guard rods for steeling is a great idea.

I would like to see a rougher brown stone. Or, Spyderco can just replace the the brown stones with diamond ones and up the price a bit.
 
the hand guards as steeling rods is a great idea, but how much would that raise costs?
 
Hi Redstripe. Interesting notion. A few drawbacks. A proper steel is hard, polished and smooth. I can guarantee that the hard steel would chip the edge very time it's hit, and would slide along the steel reeducinbg the safety aspect of the guard. The brass, on the other hand, will stop the blade and not damage the edge. I regularly use a steel, but it is hard and polished. I just place them in the groove of the triangle when I'm using them. I use Juranitch's steel (Razor Edge) and I remove them from his handle.

sal
 
I recently got a Sharpmaker and I love it. That said, here are the changes I would recommend.

1. Offer round polished and lightly grooved sharpening steels that would fit in the holes for the hones (that would preserve the benefit of the guards and place the steels at the correct angle).

2. Provide storage for all the hones--Diamond, Medium, Fine, Ultra Fine--and steels

3. (Now I'm reaching) Add a larger model? This may not be necessary. I can easily sharpen my 10" chef's knife and 12" carving knife on my Sharpmaker.
 
This is very true Sal.

What about adding a triangle steel to your current line up? (as an additional purchase, after the basic 204 set)

I guess there isn't enough market for it to be worth it? or the costs of manufacturing would be too high and place it at an unappealing price point? hmmmmmm...
-Redstripe
 
Hey Redstripe. We have one designed. Perhaps in the future?

Curious. The current version (204) came out in '98.

sal
 
Any possibility of making a 204E (for 'enhanced') model to deal with so-called super-steels? For instance, while VG-10 sharpens easily and quickly, reprofiling it took me forever. Same with D2 and M2. Also, since most people with such steels want them to cut as well as possible, how about steeper angle? Maybe a back bevel of 20 degrees included and an edge setting for 25?

Just looking for more reasons to give your company money and convince others to do so.
 
ill second the idea for a course stone offering. diamond stones are just too expensive and the grey stones take far too long to establish an angle. the lack of a course stone prevents me from sharpening the knives in my kitchen - without diamonds this would be 50 hour project.
 
I have one 204. No complaints from me. The only minor thing is the white rods get discoloured rather quickly and I have to scrubbed it to get back its whiteness.

Often, it won't wash off despite the detergent I used.

What's the remedy for this?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top