Sharpmaker Rods

A

ASBOB

Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
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My Sharpmaker came with white and gray ceramic rods, sharp and medium. Is it possible to buy xf rods? Are such items available, and if so, where?

All my thanks for the good advice I always get here.
 
The Sharpmaker comes with white (fine) and brown (medium) rods. I think that by "xf" you mean extra fine. Yes, they are available. You can check at a bunch of different online merchants (knifeworks.com; yourcornerstore.com; knifecenter.com; etc.).

I hope that helps. :thumbup:
 
I believe Spyderco calls them 'Ultra fine' if you are trying to google them. As a side note you can also get diamond rods for those really dull knives or re profiling.
 
Yes they are Ultra Fine Rods and they will put a hair popping sharp edge on.
 
Outdoors Fanatic said:
There are also excellent Diamond Rods for heavier work.
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The Diamond rods aren't that agressive though so it will take some real time to do any reprofiling with the harder steels.

FYI:

The Diamonds Rods are like 400 Grit

The Med Rods are like a 600~800 grit Whetstone

The Fine Rods are like a 1000~1200 Grit Whetstone

The Ultra Fine Rods are like a 1500~2000 Grit Whetstone


What would take hours on a Sharpmaker with the diamond rods would take me about 10 mins on my Edge Pro with the Coarse stones. I own both so I have been there and done that. ;)
 
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Ankerson said:
The Diamond rods aren't that agressive though so it will take some real time to do any reprofiling with the harder steels.

FYI:

The Diamonds Rods are like 400 Grit

The Med Rods are like a 600~800 grit Whetstone

The Fine Rods are like a 1000~1200 Grit Whetstone

The Ultra Fine Rods are like a 1500~2000 Grit Whetstone


What would take hours on a Sharpmaker with the diamond rods would take me about 10 mins on my Edge Pro with the Coarse stones. I own both so I have been there and done that. ;)
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I'm aware of that, that's why I've said "heavier work" [that is, compared to the standard Sharpmaker Rods].

For truly heavy aggressive work on hard steel, a coarse or xtra-coarse Diamond Benchstone from DMT is my favorite tool for the job. (or a Harbor-Freight Belt-sander).
 
Ankerson said:
The Diamond rods aren't that agressive though so it will take some real time to do any reprofiling with the harder steels.

(snip)

What would take hours on a Sharpmaker with the diamond rods would take me about 10 mins on my Edge Pro with the Coarse stones. I own both so I have been there and done that. ;)
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well. The Sharpmaker should really be called the Sharpkeeper.
 
Keep in mind that you can always wrap a sheet of 10,000 or 15,000 grit Mylar film around the stones (clipping them on the back with a 'bulldog' paper clamp) and get REALLY SHARP EDGES...

For that matter, you wrap a sheet of 80 grit around them too for your profiling work.

Stitchawl
 
Ankerson said:
The Diamond rods aren't that agressive though so it will take some real time to do any reprofiling with the harder steels.

FYI:

The Diamonds Rods are like 400 Grit

The Med Rods are like a 600~800 grit Whetstone

The Fine Rods are like a 1000~1200 Grit Whetstone

The Ultra Fine Rods are like a 1500~2000 Grit Whetstone


What would take hours on a Sharpmaker with the diamond rods would take me about 10 mins on my Edge Pro with the Coarse stones. I own both so I have been there and done that. ;)
Click to expand...

Interesting thank you, might explain the realatively poor performance I've had with the Sharpmaker when trying to put an edge on Queen Cutlery's D2. I was thinking of going over to diamond rods but now I'm having second thoughts.
 
willgoy said:
Interesting thank you, might explain the realatively poor performance I've had with the Sharpmaker when trying to put an edge on Queen Cutlery's D2. I was thinking of going over to diamond rods but now I'm having second thoughts.
Click to expand...

I would guess that D2 is pretty tough steel then. :D
 
I would say that the UF rods basically polish the edge. Shop around a little and you will find very good pricing on them.
 
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