Sharpmaker upgrade

A

arigwapo

Joined
Jul 22, 2007
Messages
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I've had a Sharpmaker for quite a while now and haven't had a problem with my various kitchen knives, Leatherman Charge Ti and Endura. I've recently acquired a Benchmade Stryker and the Sharpmaker has met its match (at least in its current configuration).

The Sharpmaker just can't handle the bevel angle of the Stryker. It's about time to upgrade the Sharpmaker, I guess. Should I get some diamond stones for the Sharpmaker and try to reprofile the Stryker?? Or should I go ahead and get an EdgePro?? Or will something from Lansky/Gatco do the job?
 
Do you know what the angle on the Stryker is? Do you like it and want to keep it that way? If so, then an adjustable system like the Edge Pro is probably your best bet. It's easy to set the Edge Pro up for almost any angle that you'd see on a factory knife and it works really well. I love the Apex that I have.

OTOH, if you don't like the original bevel on the Stryker and you want it to be something that the Sharpmaker can handle, the diamond rods would certainly help get it re-beveled.

Even with those rods, though, it could take a while on the Sharpmaker. The Edge Pro will do the job fairly quickly and it'll be available for other types of sharpening work that you might need it for.

I have both systems. I use the Sharpmaker for weekly touch ups on my EDCs and for my kitchen knives that have already visited the Edge Pro. I use the Edge Pro for re-beveling or heavy duty sharpening needs if I let something get really dull or chipped.

HTH
 
Smash05 said:
If you don't mind me asking, what is the bevel angle on your stryker?
Click to expand...

I don't have a way of accurately measuring it but it's definitely more than the 20 that the Sharpmaker has....probably something like 22-25.
 
arigwapo said:
I've had a Sharpmaker for quite a while now and haven't had a problem with my various kitchen knives, Leatherman Charge Ti and Endura. I've recently acquired a Benchmade Stryker and the Sharpmaker has met its match (at least in its current configuration).

The Sharpmaker just can't handle the bevel angle of the Stryker. It's about time to upgrade the Sharpmaker, I guess. Should I get some diamond stones for the Sharpmaker and try to reprofile the Stryker?? Or should I go ahead and get an EdgePro?? Or will something from Lansky/Gatco do the job?
Click to expand...

EdgePro is the best.

If you don't want to lay out that kind of money, I highly recommend the DMT Deluxe Aligner Kit. It's similar to the Lansky/Gatco, but far better IMO.

http://www.dmtsharp.com/products/other.htm#aligner (scroll down slightly for the Deluxe Aligner Kit)
 
Take it from someone who has the Spyderco diamond rods -- save that money and put it towards an Edge Pro. I finally got one and wish I had done so years ago.

Short of that, an extra course bench stone will reprofile your knives freehand. The results don't look as good as the Edge Pro's, but it works.
 
If you can't bring yourself to drop the cash on an edgepro, I would go with DMT's Aligner kit over the Lansky or Gatco. After I put a near perfect 28 degree back bevel on my Endura ZDP using my Aligner with a DMT xx coarse bench stone, I turned right around and put a razor sharp 35 degree micro bevel with the kit stones. A couple of days ago, I discovered that DMT offers an XX coarse stone that will fit the kit. Believe it or not, I could do a lot more damage with that small stone and the stone holder than I can with the 8 inch stone. Once you get hooked into the aligner, you can just grind away like a machine.

If you search the DMT website, you can get an XX coarse, x coarse, coarse, fine, ex fine, and even a 7 micron ceramic stone to fit the stone holder. The adeluxe comes with the coarse, fine, and ex fine. Just a little note, the xx coarse can be found in the ski section.
 
I'll check out the DMT Aligner kit. Should be here in a few days. From the descriptions it seems like it'll do the trick. Thanks!!
 
Look. Invest in a protractor and some shims. Swap the shims end-for-end when you swap sides of the edge. The Sharpmaker is limited to 30 and 40 degree bevels only if you choose not to adapt.
 
I am at just about the same position but i have the older sharpmaker which only has one set of angles.

I was thinking about getting some of those brick stones but i know that requires more technique. I was thinking about the laksy/gatco ones too but the DMT kit sounds better.
Only problem is they just do one type of edge, you cant make a convex edge can you?

My belt sander only goes up to 600 grit. I know i could always use the sandpaper and mousepad method.

I was also thinking, that when the edge curves in... a recurve and such, these flat stones wont work well... Not sure what to do about that...
Wouldnt mind getting a stop set too.
 
To do a convex edge with the Aligner just bend the guide rod in a gentle curve. A little experimentation will show you how much of a bend. Then a finish with a strop or paper wheel and 'voila'--a polished convex edge.
Greg
 
Buy a five dollar benchstone and regrind the edge below 20 degrees. Now use the Sharpmaker.

-Cliff
 
Good idea greg.
Where can we purchase strops?

Cliff i dont understand what youre getting at.



I know the DMT abrasives can remove material quite fast, do the high grits do this too, or are they alright? I dont want to grind away my knives.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
There is no need to buy a new kit. A simple $5 coarse stone will easily allow you to change the angle to < 20 degrees by hand and the Sharpmaker will then work fine.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

Ahh i see waht you mean, though im not sure if i always want 20 degree. Also ive become increasingly fond of the convex edge recently for some reason and i know the sharpmaker isnt the best for convex edges.
 
You can Sharpmaker the convex edges as well, just do it freehand using it as a benchstone.

-Cliff
 
I jsut thought of something. Well i had wondered it before but i remembered it recently.

The serrations on the spyderco knives arent at the same angle as the straight edges. They dont look like they are at the 20 degrees the straight edges are, they look much less, like 10 degrees or something and its only on one side. It doesnt seem like the spyderco sharpener does anything for that. If you use it at the regular angle then you end up putting a new bevel on it rather that getting the edge back to original.

Maybe is doesnt matter?


And to Cliff, unfortunately the old sharpmaker doesnt have the option of putting two stones side by side. so it doesnt work well as a benchstone.
 
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