- Joined
- Nov 23, 2005
- Messages
- 50
After reading the reviews on the Sharpmaker, I felt the need to purchase one and increase my already large arsenal of sharpening tools. I already had a set of crock sticks with the medium and fine rods, but still wanted to see what the sharpmaker was like. Here are a few observations after spending a little time with the Sharpmaker and comparing it to the very similar crock stick system.
The Sharpmaker seems like a quality product. I like the way that it packs itself into it's compact and sturdy base better than the crock sticks wooden base.
While the Sharpmaker stores into a smaller package than the crock sticks, the sharpmaker's rods are two inches shorter than the crock sticks. I like the extra length provided by the crock stick rods, especially for longer blades.
Using an angle meter to measure the angles created by the sticks, the crock sticks have slightly different angles for the thinning and sharpening settings then the Sharpmaker. My set of approx 8 year old crock sticks have a measured angle of about 20 degress for thinning and 22.5 degrees for sharpening vs the sharpmaker that thins at 15 degrees and sharpens at 20 degrees. Not much difference in this regard, however, the bevels on knives previously sharpened on one unit may not match up with a knife sharpened on the other unit, taking more time to reprofile if switching sharpeners.
The shape of the stones as well as the number of mounting options for the stones in the Sharpmaker's base gives many more sharpening options for different blade types than the crock sticks. I think this is the main advantage of the Sharpmaker system.
While the triangular shape of the Sharpmaker's rods allow for more sharpening options, they also are more limiting in the amount of sharpening that you can do before cleaning is needed. I have not yet gained an appreciation for the flats on the Sharpmaker's stones and prefer using the sharp edge. This edge becomes loaded with steel quickly. With the triangular stones, you can only use the three edges before having to clean them. With the round rods in the crock stick sharpener, you just give them an ever so slight turn to expose some fresh/clean ceramic surface. I can sharpen several knives before cleaning the round rods, while I feel the need to clean the triangluar shaped rods after every knife, if not more often.
One other thing to watch is that when using the sharp edge of the triangular stones, you need to be careful at the end of your stroke so that you do not drag the tip over the flat edge of the stone, creating premature wear on the tip.
Based upon my limited experience, if you already have the crock stick system and only need to sharpen conventional blades, to me there is no advantage of switching to the Sharpmaker, especially when considering the chore of reprofiling to the new angles. If a person did not already have a crock stick type sharpener or needed the ability to sharpen cerrated blades, scissors, etc., the Sharpmaker would definely merit consideration. I am not sorry that I purchased the Sharpmaker as I welcome the ability to sharpen cerrated blades. Additionally, I am a sucker for any new type of knife,hunting,fishing, and tool related gear.
I am hopeful that Santa will leave me an edgepro system under the christmas tree. If so, I will post my thoughts on it vs my existing Lansky system. I welcome others thoughts on the Edgepro vs Lansky as well as some features/techniques that I may come to appreciate on the Sharpmaker.
Merry Christmas!
The Sharpmaker seems like a quality product. I like the way that it packs itself into it's compact and sturdy base better than the crock sticks wooden base.
While the Sharpmaker stores into a smaller package than the crock sticks, the sharpmaker's rods are two inches shorter than the crock sticks. I like the extra length provided by the crock stick rods, especially for longer blades.
Using an angle meter to measure the angles created by the sticks, the crock sticks have slightly different angles for the thinning and sharpening settings then the Sharpmaker. My set of approx 8 year old crock sticks have a measured angle of about 20 degress for thinning and 22.5 degrees for sharpening vs the sharpmaker that thins at 15 degrees and sharpens at 20 degrees. Not much difference in this regard, however, the bevels on knives previously sharpened on one unit may not match up with a knife sharpened on the other unit, taking more time to reprofile if switching sharpeners.
The shape of the stones as well as the number of mounting options for the stones in the Sharpmaker's base gives many more sharpening options for different blade types than the crock sticks. I think this is the main advantage of the Sharpmaker system.
While the triangular shape of the Sharpmaker's rods allow for more sharpening options, they also are more limiting in the amount of sharpening that you can do before cleaning is needed. I have not yet gained an appreciation for the flats on the Sharpmaker's stones and prefer using the sharp edge. This edge becomes loaded with steel quickly. With the triangular stones, you can only use the three edges before having to clean them. With the round rods in the crock stick sharpener, you just give them an ever so slight turn to expose some fresh/clean ceramic surface. I can sharpen several knives before cleaning the round rods, while I feel the need to clean the triangluar shaped rods after every knife, if not more often.
One other thing to watch is that when using the sharp edge of the triangular stones, you need to be careful at the end of your stroke so that you do not drag the tip over the flat edge of the stone, creating premature wear on the tip.
Based upon my limited experience, if you already have the crock stick system and only need to sharpen conventional blades, to me there is no advantage of switching to the Sharpmaker, especially when considering the chore of reprofiling to the new angles. If a person did not already have a crock stick type sharpener or needed the ability to sharpen cerrated blades, scissors, etc., the Sharpmaker would definely merit consideration. I am not sorry that I purchased the Sharpmaker as I welcome the ability to sharpen cerrated blades. Additionally, I am a sucker for any new type of knife,hunting,fishing, and tool related gear.
I am hopeful that Santa will leave me an edgepro system under the christmas tree. If so, I will post my thoughts on it vs my existing Lansky system. I welcome others thoughts on the Edgepro vs Lansky as well as some features/techniques that I may come to appreciate on the Sharpmaker.
Merry Christmas!