Sharpmaker Warranty Update...

R

razorhunter

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
470
Ok guys,
As some of you may remember, I recently had to send my brand new Sharpmaker back to Spyderco for warranty. The problem at hand was that all of the sharpening rods were bent to some degree, and they just work due to the angle not being right. When I looked down the rods, you could see that they all were slightly "bowed". Actually, the term SLIGHTLY was an understatement.
First off, I must say that Spyderco sent me a brand new Sharpmaker 204 without any problem at all. No questions asked.
However, upon receiving my NEW Sharpmaker yesterday, I still found 2 of the four rods were "bowed" also. Maybe 3, I am not sure.
Also, a new problem has also risen. When my Sharpmaker is at rest on my flat surface, the whole base wobbles up and down, due to there being a HIGH point in the middle of the base. The original, warrantied 204 did not do this, but the new one. Let me add, that I'm POSITIVE that I'm on a good flat surface.
I see that you can secure the 204's plastic base down with nails or screws or bolts or something, but that is a hassle, and I prefer sharpening without bolting the thing down. I don't really even have a good bench to bolt it down to.
I love the Sharpmaker and Spyderco but I just don't know what I should do! I can't send it back in for another 4-5 weeks to pass by. I need it. On the other hand, I'm just not happy with this problem and I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone through this hassle? I just want my 204 to be right! I love Spyderco's customer service, but I need my 204 and just wish I didn't have to go through this whole process AGAIN. Not to mention that I'd probably get back some more "bowed" rods again. Thanks for any input guys. I still love Spyderco, but I'm just kind of disappointed.

P.S. I also have one more question: One of my medium grit rods has a series of rough spots along the entire EDGE of the rod. NOT on the FLAT side, but on the EDGE. Will these rough areas eventually wear down, or will they keep hurting my KNIFE's edge? Thanks guys.
 
I purchased a 203 Sharpemaker from Sal in the 1970's when he had a Spyderco booth at a woodworking show. He took the two grey rods and rubbed the edges on each other for all three sides (not the flats, the corners). That made them smoother and he called it breaking them in from the roughness in the kiln manufacturing process. The 203 is still working great today.

I upgraded to the 204 set last year and really like the dual angles and additional set ups in the design.

One suggestion for the plastic base is to tape a large sheet of aluminum oxide paper to your flat working surface and remove the 204 base high spot. This is quick and will guarantee the base will not rock or wobble.

Why not call the Spyderco Customer Service directly and explain your problem with the rods? I found them to be very helpful, and they should just send you a replacement rod without your returning the entire kit.

I also purchased last week the new Ultra Fine rods, much easier than steeling freehand. The angle is held exactly for the edge restoring step usually done with hardened steel rods or carbide.

Regards,
FK
 
FK,
Thanks so much for the suggestion. Can you explain to me what "aluminum oxide paper" is? Is it like sandpaper? Will I be removing the high spot by "sanding" the spot down? Where do I get this "aluminum oxide paper"?
Also, I did call Spyderco before, and discussed the problem with them on the phone. I was told that I had to send my 204 in to the factory BEFORE I could be sent new rods. They said they had to have proof that mine were bent FIRST:(

It looks like I'm going to have to send them back in again.:(
 
FK,
Upon reading your response to my post, I just went and examined my 204's plastic base a little closer. I actually mis-informed you when I stated that there is a "high" spot in the middle. The fact of the matter is that the whole base itself is slightly bowed too. It wobbles back and forth, due to it being shaped like a banana almost. Of course, that is exxagerating the point, but it is bowed enough to wobble back and forth, and there is just no possible way to sand it out.
Man, if it isn't one thing, it's 5000 others....

Thanks so much for your help FK, and anyone else who replies.
 
I just looked over the new 204 I bought about 6 months ago. I have used it a bunch but never paid attention to flatness of the stones. The base is flat, I double checked, but a couple of the stones on one side, have enough of a bow that you can rock them ever so slightly when laying flat on a flat surface. Not enough to worry about in my case, as it not effectively changing the angle, and I probably have far more wobble in my wrist. So if its slight I would not worry about the new set. Chips or rough spots on the edges of the rods, never seemed to matter much to the knives being sharpened. I had more than a few on my old 204. Call warranty and tell them your problem, and then ask if you can use the darn thing, and see if it really keeps you from getting a good edge. I doubt it will. As for the base, maybe something heavy got set on it. Try putting it on a flat surface with a bunch of heavy books pressing on it for a weekend and see if that helps.
 
Thanx for the input Razorhunter, and sorry for your inconvenience. We are currently looking closely at the materials available for the base. We're always looking at all of our items for possible improvement.

As suggested, I think you should call Mike in Warrantee & Repair and explain the problem.

sal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top