Sharpmaker trick for those who struggle

mbkryan

mbkryan

Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
522
I am REALLY bad at sharpening. I can't even get a strop to work. I have a sharpmaker and I can usually get my knives from dull to not quite dull. I have tried the sharpie trick and just about everything else, but can never get my knives to shave one hair. Tonight with the sharpmaker I tried using my left hand for a few swipes. Instantly I got an edge that cut a few hairs. I worked at it a bit more and experimented with switching hands every few swipes, and got some decent results. Its not razor sharp but it is sharper than I have ever gotten it before. Just wanted to share in case there are others that struggle with this.
 
Interesting tip. Will have to try it.
My best sharpmaker tips are :
1. Buy the diamond rods, will save you so much heartache; and
2. Make sure to finish with very light strokes to remove that burr.
 
I still contend that the SM is more an edge maintainer than a true sharpener. I use mine strictly to touch up edges that I've already sharpened via some other method. If you do want to use it as a genuine sharpener, the diamond rods that Matt mentioned will make that waaaay more palatable. As with other diamond sharpening surfaces, use very light pressure and let the diamonds do the work. Pressing too hard will just tear the diamond particles out of the rods. Even with the diamond rods, I wouldn't attempt to reprofile an edge that's 30* per side down to 20* per side. That's a job for a belt, bench stone, guided system, whatever. But if the marker shows that you're pretty close to the apex, it should go okay with the diamond rods. I also agree about finishing with very, very light strokes, or else you'll just keep folding the burr back and forth. I try as close as possible to just use the weight of the knife on the final swipes. :thumbup:
 
My Sharpmaker suggestion remains: forget the diamond rods, buy yourself a set of the cheap 320 grit 1/2" triangle rods from congress tools and reprofile/sharpen away to your heart's content. If you want rougher, the 60 grit stones are only ~$5 each, and the have various grits from 60 - 320. The 320s are the most expensive, but they're all of ~$7 each. I've had the same set of 320s for years and have reprofiled or sharpened knives in all manner of super steels with them.

You'll find them on their site under "congress polishing stones" and then subcategory "ruby". You want the 1/2" triangle variety. They're only 6" long, so a little shorter than the Spyderco stones, but they work great and they're cheap as all heck by comparison.
 
Have you considered a true sharpening system with stones you can set at a fixed angle?
Like just about any task, there are certain things we'll just never be able to do well (I can eyeball things to within 1/16" of level or better, but can't cut a pizza in half to save myself).

A $30 sharpening system can allow you to work with angles that are SO precise, no human could match them.
 
robgmn said:
Have you considered a true sharpening system with stones you can set at a fixed angle?
Like just about any task, there are certain things we'll just never be able to do well (I can eyeball things to within 1/16" of level or better, but can't cut a pizza in half to save myself).

A $30 sharpening system can allow you to work with angles that are SO precise, no human could match them.
Click to expand...

What is this $30 fixed sharpening system you speak of?
 
evilgreg said:
My Sharpmaker suggestion remains: forget the diamond rods, buy yourself a set of the cheap 320 grit 1/2" triangle rods from congress tools and reprofile/sharpen away to your heart's content. If you want rougher, the 60 grit stones are only ~$5 each, and the have various grits from 60 - 320. The 320s are the most expensive, but they're all of ~$7 each. I've had the same set of 320s for years and have reprofiled or sharpened knives in all manner of super steels with them.

You'll find them on their site under "congress polishing stones" and then subcategory "ruby". You want the 1/2" triangle variety. They're only 6" long, so a little shorter than the Spyderco stones, but they work great and they're cheap as all heck by comparison.
Click to expand...

This sounds like a pro tip to me. I will be checking out that website ASAP. There is so much knowledge on this forum it's insane.
 
evilgreg said:
My Sharpmaker suggestion remains: forget the diamond rods, buy yourself a set of the cheap 320 grit 1/2" triangle rods from congress tools and reprofile/sharpen away to your heart's content. If you want rougher, the 60 grit stones are only ~$5 each, and the have various grits from 60 - 320. The 320s are the most expensive, but they're all of ~$7 each. I've had the same set of 320s for years and have reprofiled or sharpened knives in all manner of super steels with them.

You'll find them on their site under "congress polishing stones" and then subcategory "ruby". You want the 1/2" triangle variety. They're only 6" long, so a little shorter than the Spyderco stones, but they work great and they're cheap as all heck by comparison.
Click to expand...

Just ordered a pair of the 320s and I'm going to give them a try. Thanks!
 
I have those same stones from Congress for my Sharpmaker and I think they work fine. Cheap enough to just give it a try.
The edges are sharp so I just use the flats.
I spray a little water with some dish det. on them. Not sure it's needed.
 
robgmn said:
...there are certain things we'll just never be able to do well (I can eyeball things to within 1/16" of level or better, but can't cut a pizza in half to save myself).
Click to expand...

This made me laugh so much. I feel the same way. Thanks for all the tips, yall!
 
I like my sharpmaker it's nice, compact and easy to take camping. Sharpening is mostly about holding the correct angle. I don't have the real skill or patience to repetitively hold and repeat the act angle. The sharpmaker is my standby, secondary, backpacking system. Wicked edge system was made for me,(stupid expensive but mirror polish edge now).
 
This is the technique I use. It does aid in keeping the blade stable simply because you spend most of the time on one stone or the other and alternate for burr removal and finish work.
[video=youtube;-MHe_8wTHmg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MHe_8wTHmg[/video]
 
If you guys got those congress stones, please post an update. I want some D2 blades, but I can't upgrade my sharpener right now. If I could handle them with the sharpmaker it'd be a huge help...
 
JD Bear said:
If you guys got those congress stones, please post an update. I want some D2 blades, but I can't upgrade my sharpener right now. If I could handle them with the sharpmaker it'd be a huge help...
Click to expand...

I use those Ruby 320 stones every few days and have for years. I have never had an issue with D2. As bolabeenz says above, the edges are a bit ragged but sharpening on the flats works great. I'll try to drag them out and take some pictures of them next to the Spyderco stones when I have time later.
 
Quick question definitely not trying to hijack mbkryan thread. My wife bought me the diamond stones for xmas. So are the ruby a waste to buy or are they a good step after diamond or before? Just don't want to buy if it is redundant but $14.50 is hard to resist
 
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