Sharpmaker

miso2

miso2

Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
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Hi all,

I am considering to get Sharpmaker for quick edge touch up but realized that the stones are aluminum oxide, which may not be hard enough for high vanadium carbide steels. Then, quick google search provided some info that congress tools triangular stones can be used on Sharpmaker. It would be great if true, since they have silicone carbide stones. I found 1/2" triangle x 6" long stones, which seem to be pretty close to the dimension of Sharpmaker UF stone (1/2" triangle x 7")

Could anyone tell me if Congress tool's stones are compatible with Sharpmaker?


Miso
 
I have no problems sharpening high vanadium steels on the sharpmaker with the Spyderco stones. This includes S110V and Maxamet.

I have heard mixed reports about the tolerances on the congress triangle stones which in turn would cause a variation in angles from stone to stone. Most seem to prefer to use tape or a rubber band to affix a flat stone to the factory sharpmaker rod. I haven't tried it but have looked into it and in the end just stuck with the Spyderco stones. They work well for me.
 
yep the congress arent consistent in dimensions and cause variances in angles unless one adjusts their grip angles to compensate.

i use them for certain tasks but they arent consistent like the sharpmaker ceramics and diamond, etc are.
 
I agree with bear, the spyderco ceramics have handled anything that I need to sharpen, regardless of the vanadium content of the steel.
The Congress silicon carbide stones wear much more rapidly than the ceramic stones, and will need to be dressed or discarded if you use them very much.
 
Hi Miso,

The alumina ceramic rods are 9.2 on the Moh's scale which makes them a synthetic sapphire. The diamonds and CBN rods are even harder.

sal
 
Thank you guys for the info!

Sal, I am wondering what the grits of diamond and CBN stones. Do you have or plan to provide fine stones with those abrasives? That would be fantastic!



Miso
 
Hi Miso,

They're both about 400 mesh. No plans for more at this time, but I'm always open to opinion.

sal
 
Four hundred mesh sounds good to me for coarse edges. I will definitely get the diamond rod then.
Thank you, Sal.


Miso
 
They sharpen S110V without issue. For large reprofiling jobs I'd suggest something else, but the Sharpmaker has been my go to touch up tool for about 6 years now. It's fantastic, very easy to use, and it's easy to clean off the stones with a little Barkeeper's Friend powder.
 
Sharpmaker was the best sharpener I ever bought. I bought my first spydie and then a sharpmaker and haven't looked back!
 
I should clarify that I have Edge Pro Apex with silicone carbide stones for regular sharpening and reprofiling. I am considering Sharpmaker for a quick touch up.
Thanks for your input.


Miso
 
miso2 said:
I should clarify that I have Edge Pro Apex with silicone carbide stones for regular sharpening and reprofiling. I am considering Sharpmaker for a quick touch up.
Thanks for your input.


Miso
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I use mine for. I have two of them so I can do quick touch ups in the evening on any knife that got used. I also picked up the diamond and UF rods. Though now that I have a bit of sharpening time under my belt, I seldom use more than the standard medium and fine rods.

But also have Edge Pro and KME for full sharpening or re-profiling. Once a perfect bevel has been set on a guided system, the Sharpmaker is the perfect companion to far extend the life of an edge.



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Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
 
Good to hear. I will see how the standard rods perform and consider other optional rods later.
Thanks!


Miso
 
ecd42b58db65b0461ffd84a82024bb69.jpg
weekly touch up time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
When they get loaded, use Barkeeper's Friend powder to remove the metal particles. It's about $2 for a large can at Walmart.
 
I don't think Barkeeper's friend is not available in Japan. I guess I would try a similar cleanser with abrasives.


Miso
 
I use mineral oil on my triangle stone, wipe off easy and for additional cleaning, I use pencil eraser.
Only have the UF, but that's how I clean them.
(Barkeeper also not available here)
 
Fanglekai said:
When they get loaded, use Barkeeper's Friend powder to remove the metal particles. It's about $2 for a large can at Walmart.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% ;) "Bar Keeper's Friend" cleanser that you can buy at many grocery store chains, hardware stores and even those Dollar type stores even have BKF at a decent price is by far the best cleanser I've ever used to clean my 204 stones and other Spyderco stones as well. My local discount store has the big cans of BKF for less than $2. It's without a doubt the very best cleaning compound I've ever used on Spyderco ceramic stones and it's one great rust remover as well.

After I clean any of my Spyderco sharpening stones with BKF they look as though they are new from the factory.

The 204 Sharpmaker is an excellent tool to sharpen blades for the novice the seasoned Pro alike. However there is one recommendation I make to everyone who buys a Sharpmaker. In order to have a complete kit you absolutely need to buy the diamond rods and the ultra-fine stones you can by extra for the kit. I've yet to try the CBN stones but they are on my list to get and I'll be getting a set shortly.

But the Sharpmaker in my humble opinion is not complete without those two extra sets of 204 stones/rods for the kit. Because without those ultra-fine rods my blades would be a lot less sharp than they are now. And the diamond rods are a real help if you have a beat up or dinged up blade. They do a more rapid stock removal which is a time saver to say the least. But definitely get the extra stones.
 
i use comet, but bar keepers works as well.
 
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