Sharpmaker Use Question

[MW740]

Does anyone use a pushing motion as opposed to a pulling motion to sharpen blades on their sharpmaker? I can make all of my blades wicked sharp with this thing except I have one problem. I find it difficult to get the tip and the last inch or so of the blade as sharp as the rest of the blade, especially on my Buck/Strider Solution. If any one has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

 

[AlphalphaPB]

Use a Sharpie marker and see if you're actually sharpening the last inch.

I've found that many knives have a slightly thicker-ground tip, meaning that if you keep the knife at the same vertical angle, you won't be sharpening the tip. What you need to do is angle the knife out slightly, and freehand the last inch. Give it a good stropping afterewards and it'll be almost (but not quite) as sharp as the rest. If you choose to grind down the tip until it is the same angle as the rest of the edge, you will wind up with one ugly looking knife. Believe me, I've tried.

edited to add:
I believe the Buck-Strider knives have especially thick-ground tips. I noticed this with my Buck-Strider large spearpoint folder.

 

[Thomas J Ekman]

It is also easy to blunt the tip accidentally with the Sharpmaker, especially if you use the corners of the rods.

 

[knifenerd]

Good question. The Sharpmaker video shows it being used in a drawing motion, rather than a pushing motion. I've also seen it demonstrated at knife shows using a drawing motion. These demos were done by Spyderco personnel.

 

[KBR]

When you work on the tips of your knives, just use the flat sides of the triangles. I usually use the corners up to about the last inch or so on my blades, then finish off the tips on the flat sides.

As mentioned in previous posts, you can easily round off the tip if you let it drag off of the corners.

Good Luck.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

You can also turn the base upside down, lay two stones in the grooves to make a benchstone, and sharpen the tip without endangering the point. Good idea to use a marker since you won't have the angle of the rods to serve as a guide.