The Sharpmaker is evil... it cut down my knife buying! My drawer of 'butter knives' was getting full... dull a knife, put it in the drawer and buy another one... that was my motto. Sure, I have man-made, including Japaneese water stones, and a collection of AR stones - up to black hard, even. Sure, as a woodturner and carver, I can put a shaving edge on a single bevel - but I ruined pocket knives. I was the guy at the gunshows with a few pocket knives waiting for the old guy with the loaded paper flap wheel to re-sharpen them for a few bucks. One day, he didn't have power at the show... I elected to try something new - a Sharpmaker was ordered - sixteen months ago.
That drawer has razors now. Even my first Native (S30V), bought before the Sharpmaker, had to be re-sharpened - finally. My only two Benchmades, a 551 Grip (440C) from nearly six years ago and a 201 Activator+ (D2) from last Christmas, both delivered new as dull as can be, are now slicers. The sea of red - my Vic SAKs - now again have knives as one of their tools. All with just the basic 204 kit, too.
I tried other ceramic rods... even diamond files/hones. I believe the Sharpmaker works for me because it cuts slowly - and makes you work uniformly, averaging the effects of 'bias' in how you hold your knife. The key is that uniformity - and allowing time to use it - particularly with the harder steels. While S30V and 440C take some time, D2 is like a new career. If you want instant gratification, however, get a puppy. Great tool!
Of course, I've nixed some knife purchases due to it - why buy an 'upgrade steel' version of a knife you already have when you can re-edge it so easily.
Stainz
That drawer has razors now. Even my first Native (S30V), bought before the Sharpmaker, had to be re-sharpened - finally. My only two Benchmades, a 551 Grip (440C) from nearly six years ago and a 201 Activator+ (D2) from last Christmas, both delivered new as dull as can be, are now slicers. The sea of red - my Vic SAKs - now again have knives as one of their tools. All with just the basic 204 kit, too.
I tried other ceramic rods... even diamond files/hones. I believe the Sharpmaker works for me because it cuts slowly - and makes you work uniformly, averaging the effects of 'bias' in how you hold your knife. The key is that uniformity - and allowing time to use it - particularly with the harder steels. While S30V and 440C take some time, D2 is like a new career. If you want instant gratification, however, get a puppy. Great tool!
Of course, I've nixed some knife purchases due to it - why buy an 'upgrade steel' version of a knife you already have when you can re-edge it so easily.
Stainz