Spyderco 204 sharpmaker

[SycoticSamurai]

Ok, so this has probably been done before, but now I'M doing it.
I just got a 204, and have never used one before. Prior to this gadget, I had always used bench stones and had never needed anything else. But a customer of mine bought one and then was having problems using it. So, being a practitioner of good customer service (and more than a little curious) I bought one to study. After it arrived, I immediately discovered the problem. He hadn't read the book or watched the video! Duh!
Anyway, after I watched the video I was impressed, so I tried it out. I was amazed! In five minutes, I could sharpen a knife every bit as sharp as I could with a bench stone, WAY quicker. Later that same day I bequeathed my bench stones to a friend (after sharpening almost every knife in my inventory with the 204

).
So, my question is this: Have you used the 204? What do you think about it?

Thanks,

Joe Glessner, owner
Sycotic Samurai Cutlery

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"I can go over to your mama's house, and start a small fire in her panties." -G. Busey

 

[Mike Turber]

You are only one letter away from being a relative of Sal. That is what allows you to be able to use that sharpener so well

Actually I used it as well. I have the video here at home and it is very well done.
The 204 is perhaps the best sharpener I have ever seen.

What Spyderco needs to do now is make a sharpener that can sell for let than $20 and be just as easy to use and nearly as effective.

Sorry to say this but if you get a 204 and can not sharpen your knife, you may have other problems that are much worse

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!

 

[Kodiak PA]

I think it's an excellent system. The only thing I would warn someone about is be cautious of blunting the tip of their knives on the rounded end (Steps 1 & 3 for those who read the instructions-LOL).

When I sharpen my knives I never completely swipe on these steps...I always stop a bit short and make up for it on the flat sides (steps 2 & 4). Doesn't affect the sharpening but saves the tips.

Regards,

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska

 

[Codeman]

I've been using a 204 for quite a while and nothing compares for edge maintenance and light re-profiling. When I get a new knife, or one with a small ding in the blade, I turn to Razor Edge System's products. They will remove metal far quicker than the 204. I also heartily recommend their book and their steel. I doubt if I'd've ever learned to sharpened an edge without the book.



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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831

 

[ELarson]

I just replaced my 203 with the 204. I like the 30 deg set for thinning, and the overall design is better. For quick removal, I attach an EZ Lap 6" bench diamond stone to the flat side of a stone with a couple of heavy rubber bands. It's a quick way to re-profile harder steels to the 204's angles. Been thinking about cutting a groove in the back of the EZ Lap to fit over the 204's stones, but me and woodworking tools don't get along.

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E. Larson
Edmonds, WA

 

[Stryver]

Spyderco used to offer diamond steel sleeves to fit over the ceramic for rapid metal removal. Anyone know if there's still a stock around somewhere?

I think I'll wander over to the spyderco forum and ask if they'll make them again...


Stryver

 

[doggyknife]

The 204 is the best darn general sharpener I've ever used. 'nuff said.

 

[SDouglas]

I love my 204 but after reprofiling a Benchmade Pinnacle that had unusually bad grind lines I am ready for the World Arm Wrestling Championships.

Seriously though I do hope Spyderco is able to bring the Diamond Speedsleeves back because IMHO heavy reprofiling is the Sharpmaker's only weakness.



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AKTI Member No. A000370

 

[Davy Davis]

I've spent 30 some years looking for a sharpening system which allowed me to sharpen knives quickly, easily and without a lot of mess. The Sharpmaker 204 fits that bill for me. My wife and I actually store it in the kitchen and every sunday it comes out and I sharpen all the kitchen knifes as well as whatever other knives need a touch up that week.

 

[blademan 13]

Just got my today. Got all of my kitchen knives shaving sharp in about 1/2 hr. The thing is "stupid easy" to use and gives really good results, really quick and with no mess. Seems to be more adept at sharpening blades with thin edges though as I would not even attempt changing edge geometry with one. Would have taken all day to sharpen my 10" Spec Plus tanto! But a coarse diamond stone and a Lansky would allow you to thin the shoulders first and then finish with the 304. I will definitely have to spend the time to do this with a majority of my users though, as the 304 makes touch ups so darn easy. Would probably not use it on my 970 or mini-Stryker though, as it might be hard to maintain the precise juncture between the primary and secondary edges.

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It's only a mistake if you fail to learn from it!