Spyderco Sharpmaker for tactical knives

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X-factor

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Aug 7, 2006
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I just bought a Spyderco Sharpmaker, and after reading the instructions I realized that it's designed to sharpen at 20deg per side. I was under the impression that this angle was more appropriate for chef's knives (where durability is not much of a concern) than for do-it-all 'tactical' knives...
I have an MOD, a Benchmade, a Kershaw, and a Lone Wolf - all w/ either 154CM or S30v blades. I primarily use them for around the house/yard stuff - nothing too rough, though.
Is the 20deg edge that the Spyderco produces good for my knives?
 
Thanks - good to know.
So what would the factory edge be approx. on this type of knife?

I guess the guy who told me 20deg would not hold up well is flat wrong... (?)
 
Maybe he thought you meant 10 per side. Or 20 total.

40 total or 20 per side is pretty standard for most knives from the factory.
 
X-factor said:
I guess the guy who told me 20deg would not hold up well is flat wrong
Click to expand...

It is a common myth, propogated by many current professional knife sharpeners. However consider than an actual full size felling axe is sharpened at 15 degrees per side. It takes pretty demanding work with knives to exceed the 15 degree slots, this means cutting thick metals and the like.

-Cliff
 
So when a manufacturer/ industry pro quotes a blade angle, are they referring to one side (20deg in this case) or the two sides together (40deg)?

Would a Chef's Choice kitchen knife sharpener be another good way to go for tac knives?
 
There isn't a common standard, some quote per side and some included. It is more common to quote per side in north americia it seems. Steve of "Sharpening made easy" does recommend the Chef's Choice line for that style of sharpener, you can read about it on his website.

-Cliff
 
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