Sharpmaker

[DR.BOOM]

Couple quick questions, what angle or angles does the sharpmaker come set up for?

Also my Idahomade sharpener says I should start on the 15 degree angle with the course rods, then finish on the 22 degree with the finer rods. For the last few weeks I have been using the 22 degree with both sets of rods. Have I had this wrong all along?

 

[IUKE12]

The SM is set up to do 30 and 40 degrees inclusive, thats 15 and 20 degrees per side. Sounds like the Idahomade has you back beveling at 15 degrees and creating a micro bevel at 22 degrees, nothing wrong with that Doc. What you really need to do is use a sharpie or similar marker and shade the edge of the blade. This will allow you to see where the the stones are hitting.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Couple quick questions, what angle or angles does the sharpmaker come set up for?

Also my Idahomade sharpener says I should start on the 15 degree angle with the course rods, then finish on the 22 degree with the finer rods. For the last few weeks I have been using the 22 degree with both sets of rods. Have I had this wrong all along?

Although your Idahomade's instructions recommend the 15 degree main & 22 degree microbevel, there's nothing wrong with using one angle exclusively. A microbevel is a preference thing. With some blades, it does make the edge more durable. Especially so with very thin edges, and with steel that's either somewhat soft (microbevel will help prevent rolling the edge), or very hard (microbevel helps prevent chipping). This might be a bigger issue if you were relying only on the more acute 15 degree setting. But even then, with many blades/steels, even that wouldn't necessarily be a problem. I don't see any problems with durability at all for you, at 22 degrees per side (44 inclusive).

As has been pointed out already, the Sharpmaker is set up with two angle options, at 15 or 20 per side (30 and 40 inclusive).

 

[DR.BOOM]

So for my Griptilian and any of my spydercos should I maybe stay to the 22 degree only then use the 15 degree for my victorinox's?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

So for my Griptilian and any of my spydercos should I maybe stay to the 22 degree only then use the 15 degree for my victorinox's?

It's your call. BUT, if I were doing it, I'd probably do the reverse (15 per side on the Spydercos, and 22 on the Vic's). The Victorinox knives are known to take a very fine edge, but they do have pretty soft steel. Per my earlier post, they'd be more durable at 22 per side. Spyderco is (conversely) known for their excellent performance at relatively acute edge angles. They use a more 'premium' steel (generally) at higher RC.

 

[DR.BOOM]

Thank you for that. Do you think I should pick up a sharpmaker aswell. I'm never happy with the edges this model gives me, however that could be due to my skill level who knows.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thank you for that. Do you think I should pick up a sharpmaker aswell. I'm never happy with the edges this model gives me, however that could be due to my skill level who knows.

If you like the V-crock style of sharpening, such as with your current setup, I'm betting you'll like the Sharpmaker too. It has a pretty good reputation overall, and there are lots of threads on the Sharpmaker here, too. An abundance of experienced feedback on it. And regarding skill level, the Sharpmaker also comes with very detailed instructions on using it (including a video). So that should help (and practice, too).