Spyderco Diamond/Ultra Fine Rods worth it?

MOCraig · Jul 9, 2013

For those of you who know better than I do about sharpening equipment (and Ive seen the edge work some of the folks who post here are capable of), or who have experience with the additional rods available from Spyderdo, are the ultra fine and diamond rods a worthwhile investment?

I get pretty good results from the Sharpmaker system, and Im overall pleased. The only issues Ive ever had with the stones in the standard kit are when its necessary to reprofile an edge it simply cant be done sometimes, or it feels that way. I dont let the edges of my carry knives or hunting knives get dull to the point where its a problem to bring them back. If anything I probably touch them up too often, and typically find I can get away with just a little work with the fine stones and get them where I want.

Sometimes, though, Ill work on someone elses abused and neglected blade, and I just cant always get where I want with the medium and fine rods. I have a new BK16 that the factory didnt finish the bevel on the last ~ ¼ inch on, and I cant even get that where I want. Ive been able to get the rest of the blade to where it will shave your hair in a single pass, but to grind that one small rough section, I just dont know if the stones have the guts, or if its me, but its not there yet.

For the ultra rods, I guess Im wondering if they will help much to get a nice, smooth and reflective edge, or if Im better off with a strop after I finish with the standard Spyderco fine stones. Heres an edge from an EDC Grip with a D2 blade. It cuts really well, and will also shave you in a single pass, so its not so much cutting performance, but I have found that the smoother and more reflective I get that final finish, the more cleanly my blades will work and so Im considering the ultra stones.

Basically, are the diamond rods for my Sharpmaker a good investment, or would you think Id be just as well off with a diamond benchstone for the occasional times I want more aggressive performance from a stone. Also, will the ultra fine rods be a good investment in terms of increased edge performance, or would I be better off with a good strop setup?

Thanks for your time I respect a lot of the edge work I see here, and no one I know around here would have a clue, or understand why I want things sharper than they already are.

Bugout Bill · Jul 9, 2013

The UF stones are superb, they can put a real nice polish on an edge. As for the diamond rods, I have heard alot of complaints about the diamonds stripping out under regular use. A 6 or 8 inch DMT course would probably be a better investment.

MOCraig · Jul 9, 2013

Thanks for the response. I will look for the stone, and I think I have a line on the UF rods, too.

CSG · Jul 10, 2013

I went with a 6" dual Dia-Sharp instead of the diamond rods for my SM. I have no experience with the UF rods or stone.

rnbtexas · Jul 10, 2013

I think they should be standard with all four sets. I have been using my diamond rods for two years. If you apply too much pressure the diamonds can come out, but I knew that the first time I used it and have had no problems. I'd say get the UF stones then the diamond stones. Hope that helps.

calvinw · Jul 10, 2013

I have both. I recommend the UF stones because they work very well and are inexpensive. I'm ambivalent about the diamond rods though - the Sharpmaker is just not the right tool for reprofiling.

Magnaminous_G · Jul 10, 2013

Not only are they a good investment, they are--in my opinion--missing from your SharpMaker system. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The SharpMaker is incomplete without the diamond rods. Frankly, I think the fine (white) stones that come with the system are plenty fine enough. But yes, you will get a more "mirror" and refined finish with the UF stones. Get those, too.

Twindog · Jul 10, 2013

It sounds as though you would appreciate the ultra-fine stones because you like a highly refined edge, but if the Sharpmaker is your only means of reprofiling or restoring dull or damage edges, then the diamond stones are the most important.

You could buy separate flat diamond stones, but then you'd be mixing freehanding with a guided system, which is not usually a good idea. There are workarounds, but it's simpler to just get the Sharpmaker diamonds.

With or without the ultra-fine stone, stropping has the potential to further refine a sharp edge.

MOCraig · Jul 10, 2013

Ok - sounds as if there's a general consensus that both the diamond rods and UF rods are a good idea. I didn't think about mixing the guided and non-guided approach not being the best idea, but I get that and agree.

I really appreciate the responses.

Next, I need to read some of the stropping stickies and search results. I've never used one before. This forum is a bad idea for a guy with my levels of ADD and OCD!

HoosierQ · Jul 10, 2013

Well I'll deviate a bit. I am quite happy with my diamond Sharpmaker rods. I'll agree that bone fide reprofiling is never a job for the Sharpmaker. However, being able to cut a shoulder off of a factory edge really quickly with those diamond rods has proven to be a very beneficial. I have reprofiled where the bevel was just off by a hair. Now I do not have the Ultrafine rods but those do sound intriguing.