Spyderco Sharpmaker 204 vs. Warthog Hunter or V-sharp

[raxis]

I'm looking for a "sharpener for dummies" that'll do the trick for my plain and serrated Leatherman Wave edges, my little Victorinox Signature blade, as well as other blades. I know the Sharpmaker is acclaimed, but Warthog's products are manufactured here in South Africa and as a result is obviously cheaper for me.

I am specifically enquiring about the Hunter and the V-Sharp - how do these measure up against the Sharpmaker?

P.S. How can I tell what the angle on my blades are?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I am specifically enquiring about the Hunter and the V-Sharp - how do these measure up against the Sharpmaker?

P.S. How can I tell what the angle on my blades are?

I can't compare the Warthog sharpeners because I'm not familiar with them.

You don't have to know the angle of your blade to sharpen it. You only have to know what angle you want it to be -- on the Sharpmaker, the preset angles are 30 or 40 degrees.

Take a black marker and paint over the secondary bevel. Now sharpen and see how much marker has been worn off. This will tell you if your blade edge is more acute or more obtuse than the preset angle.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Neither of these will work on serrations. They are also far too rigid. It is not necessary to hold such precise angles and it is much more important to easily make minor angle adjustments. You also get better results with a variety of grits. I would rather have a collection of silicon carbide sand paper than either of those. The Sharpmaker would be much better for your purposes.

 

[klattman]

The spyderco sharpmaker does very well on serrations follwing the technique in the video and/or the instructions. (the corners of the stones ride in and out of the serrations, you just sharpen slower than normal).
The 204 is the only way I know to touch up serrations without having to do each one individually with a taper-hone or similar device.

Yes, eventually unless you do each serration individually, you will eventually sharpen them out, but it will take a long long time before you get to that point.

The 204 comes with two grits of stones and 4 grits (corners are more coarse, flats are finer).

I do not know about the warthog though, and most V-type sharpeners have round rods, which will not do well on serrations (you need a small radius or point or they won't get inside.)

The marker trick is essential for any sharpening method.

 

[raxis]

Neither of these will work on serrations. They are also far too rigid. It is not necessary to hold such precise angles and it is much more important to easily make minor angle adjustments. You also get better results with a variety of grits. I would rather have a collection of silicon carbide sand paper than either of those. The Sharpmaker would be much better for your purposes.

Is "neither of these" referring to the two Warthogs? So neither of the two Warthogs will work on serrations?

Seems like the Sharpmaker is my choice... 40° (20° per side) seems to be a common angle for a good tradeoff between sharpness and edge holding, right?

I'd be interested to find out, just for interest's sake, what the default factory angle for Leatherman Wave blades are when new.

As always, thanks for everyone's help thus far.

 

[klattman]

I'd be interested to find out, just for interest's sake, what the default factory angle for Leatherman Wave blades are when new.

I don't know, I reprofiled my leatherman's before use becuase it was too obtuse... I bet someone here knows or can check it.

bump...

P.S. Do you have a link to the Warthog system?

 

[raxis]

I asked Leatherman about the sharpener and the blade angles:

Spyderco Sharpmaker is our sharpener of choice also. ... Our design engineers ... recommend a 20 degree angle on serrations. Total or included angle is 32 degrees on straight knife.

So, as far as I can see the angle for the straight edge is 32° (16° per side) and for the serrated edge 40° (20° per side). Using the Sharpmaker's 40° angle for both blades should be A-OK then?

I don't know, I reprofiled my leatherman's before use becuase it was too obtuse...

Interesting, since the 32° angle is actually more acute...

P.S. Do you have a link to the Warthog system?

The South African (manufacturer's) website is www.knifesharpners.co.za and the U.S. (distributor's) website is www.warthogsharp.com.

 

[allyourblood]

from warthog's website: "THE V-SHARP The worlds first freehand precision knife sharpener. Sharpens your knife at the same angle every time. Provides for three sharpening angles - 17°, 20° and 25°. Use two high quality diamond honing rods that sharpens the blade on both sides simultaneously. Ideal for chefs, butchers and housewives."


LOL.


abe m.

 

[klattman]

Interesting, since the 32° angle is actually more acute...

Well, I generally thin my pocketknives to less than 15 per side (30 iniclusive) freehand. Then I finish up the edge at the 30 degree sharpmaker. The LM steel is soft though, so I wouldn't do it again. I'd stick to around 30 and use the 40 to finish.