Spyderco Sharpmaker Angles

S

Slimman

Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
198
Hello, I have an older spyderco sharpmaker that only has one set of holes. I believe the newer ones have two set of holes-one at 20* and one at 15*. I was wondering if anyones can tell me what the angle of this older model is, and if anyone has any make shift home remedies to change the angle.(I have heard of someone using a pencil somehow to change the angle) I would like to be able to sharpen at 20* and 15*.
Thanks
 
The easiest fix would be to buy a new Sharpmaker ;)
The old ones were 20 degrees per side only. If you put one of the stones you are not using under the center of the base so the base is resting on the stone and one end, it will change the angle of the stones to about what you are looking for. You have to tilt the base back and forth like a teeter-totter, since only one stone at a time will be at the angle you want. You can also do the same trick with a pencil, but it changes the angle a bit less.
 
Slimman said:
Hello, I have an older spyderco sharpmaker that only has one set of holes. I believe the newer ones have two set of holes-one at 20* and one at 15*. I was wondering if anyones can tell me what the angle of this older model is, and if anyone has any make shift home remedies to change the angle.(I have heard of someone using a pencil somehow to change the angle) I would like to be able to sharpen at 20* and 15*.
Thanks
Click to expand...


Wow, I didn't know the older ones only had one set of holes. I have no idea what angle it is, unfortunately. I guess I'll second the motion- you might want to buy a new one (you can find 'em around $50 online). Mostly I can't think of a good way to change the angle of the one you have without a lot of work.
 
I saw one of those old ones out at my mechanics shop. I didn't know they made them that way either.
 
My two cents:

While a newer Sharpmaker would be nice, the idea of propping up one end with one of the rods or a piece of wood, etc. is actually a very good one. You can determine the change in angle using either trigonometry or a protractor and a 5 degree change is pretty easy to achieve; then sharpen one side till you get a burr, then switch sides. And you might consider finishing your new 30 degree edge with a 40 degree microbevel (Just a couple of light passes once you are finished at 30.)

I have done this using the newer sharpmaker to get a 22(approx) degree edge with 30 degree microbevel on one of my paring knives and it worked just fine.
 
Hey thanks for your replies. I think I will try to to make use of the one I already have. (wish spyderco would just sell me a new base) Just wathced a video of a guy using a pencil...seems easy enough. Just hate the idea of retire it...it has been around too long:)
 
There's no reason the old one won't work. Just do what Yab said. If you want, you can even cut a side-to-side groove (a thin, straight one, mind you) in the base to give it a bit more stability when you've got it propped up on a rod.

I did that with mine to get an angle lower than the 30 degree setting. Then I sharpen one side for 8 or 9 strokes and switch sides. Once both side are sharp, I do what guyfalks suggested and make a couple of light passes at the 40 degree setting for a microbevel.

Works great. The edges last a bit longer for the warehouse cutting I do and I've noticed that they don't roll as much when I cut something really tough.
 
Slimman said:
Hey thanks for your replies. I think I will try to to make use of the one I already have. (wish spyderco would just sell me a new base) Just wathced a video of a guy using a pencil...seems easy enough. Just hate the idea of retire it...it has been around too long:)
Click to expand...

Where did you see this video?
 
Chinese Man,
After reading your post I went back to try and find that video. I thought it was on You Tube, but cant find it anymore. Hmmmm. I will try and find it and post a link.
Basically the guy just put a pencil under the base, right in the middle of it. He teeter totterd the whole sharpmaker over to one side to change the angle-pretty much just like the advice in these posts.
 
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