SharpMaker or stones - best of both worlds

[myrmecia]

Lots of support for the SharpMaker and lots for stones. Stones give you one thing you won't - can't - get from the Sharpmaker: a full range of grits.

Has anyone tried making a mount for stones to stand them in end down at - say - 20º? Just thinking at this stage, but if I made a sloping bed I could set any of my stones in it and get the 20º angles as true as with the SharpMaker. In this way I could move up the stones easily. I don't know what the grit is of the SharpMaker rods, but they must be less than 500 grit.

Keith

 

[sinsanity]

You could just be ghetto and stick some stones to the sharpmaker rods on the sharpmaker!

 

[Sulaco]

Rubberbands

 

[ROME]

actually, i think the sharpmaker brown stones are ~600 and the white ones are ~1000

 

[like em sharp]

Not at all tough, just use a mitre box and some spare 2x2 stock to make a stand.

 

[bgentry]

Has anyone tried making a mount for stones to stand them in end down at - say - 20º? Just thinking at this stage, but if I made a sloping bed I could set any of my stones in it and get the 20º angles as true as with the SharpMaker.
Keith

On BF member named "Unit" has made an adjustable sharpening ramp/wedge/bed like you describe. Inspired by his, I made one similar (but not the same). It's proven to be a really good tool for me. Here are some videos he made of his:

Version 1 with full instructions
Version 2 improvements

Brian.

 

[myrmecia]

Thanks, Brian and others. I have been thinking of a wedge against which the user holds the blade vertically (as with a Spyderco Sharpmaker). I have actually made one now and will try to get a pic up later.

Keith

 

[myrmecia]

I have heard quite different figures, but I tend to agree with yours, ROME.

 

[lamesalegend]

I'll have to take pics sometime. But I've been extremely happy with the triangle stones from Congress Tools. I ordered the Res-Cut 1/2" by 6" and they are a perfect fit (just rub together if the fit is tight, they fit perfectly after the first or second use, no wiggle). I purchased the 120 grit. 220 grit might be better if you don't need to much metal removal. They are wonderful for aggressive cutting. The Res-Cut are the best choice for the sharp maker because they are designed to be used dry, no water or oil. Plus they are designed for the difficult steels like S30v. They're only 5 dollars a piece so you could get 120 and 220 to try them both. My highest recommendation for sharp maker users.

Link to the Res-cut
http://www.congresstools.com/congresstools/catalog?action=getcat&parent=29

Other stones for sharp maker
http://www.congresstools.com/congresstools/catalog?action=getcat&parent=72

 

[bdmicarta]

I made this fixture several years ago. I very quickly figured out that the Sharpmaker stones removed material very slowly. Somewhere I read about reprofiling an edge, and also about using multiple angles. I bought a coarse DMT stone and made this stand to hold the stone at a slightly steeper angle than the sharpmaker. I can quickly reprofile an edge with the DMT stone, then refine the edge with the sharpmaker.

 

[slimshaneee]

I really like the sharpmaker for light touch ups. I can give my knife about 5 easy swipes on each side once a week and it will just bring back that ultrasharpness without removing much metal.
For that reason I think everyone who likes knives should own one. I think it brings back sharpness with the least amount of material removed, and its so fast and easy.

However, I have had to reprofile a couple of knives, and for that I bought a DMT aligner kit. A guided diamond set up.