Spyderco Sharpmaker question

L

Larry in Bend

Joined
Mar 8, 2002
Messages
54
I know several of you recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker (204MF). I was about to order one but the internet picture I saw made it appear that the Sharpmaker was a "freehand" sharpener. I somehow thought that it included guides that controlled the angle of the blade for precise sharpening. I've already got ceramic stones that I have to freehand. Could someone please comment. Thanks in advance!
 
The Sharpmaker 204 is a "V" sharpener. The stones are set at a specific angle and the sharpening angle is maintained by keeping the blade vertical.

-Steven
 
The Sharpmaker doesn't have guides, per se. What it does is provide set angles for the ceramic rods (30 or 40 degrees, inclusive). It's up to you to keep the knife blade in a plane that's perpendicular to the ground (i.e., keep the knife from tipping to one side or the other -- sometimes more difficult than you would think :eek: ). With practice, the Sharpmaker will give very precise sharpening.
 
The Sharpmaker is "semi-freehand" Swong13 is correct that it is a V system. What that means is that it is much easier to hold a pretty constant angle by keeping the blade vertical than by trying to hold it at, e.g., 20 degrees from the stone. The sharpmaker is an excellent system and rightly recommended by a large number of the knuts here at BFC. I am one of them and do think very highly of it.

OTOH, if you really want something like a guided system, you ought to consider what everybody says is the best of that type. Some time when you are going out of town, take a run up to Hood River and see the EdgePro system. I'd advise calling first, since I don't really know what kind of facility Ben Dale has, but it's not all that far from you. Check out the web site at http://business.gorge.net/edgepro/

The EdgePro is pricy, but everybody who has tried it seems to like it a LOT, which is not at all something that can be said for any of the alternatives. I have been too cheap to buy one, but I keep telling myself that I will do it sometime soon. :rolleyes:

Paul
 
and prn - I'm going to check out the Edgepro. I actually travel to Hood River about once a month in my work. Thanks for taking your time to share your knowledge.
 
The 204 is probably the easiest sharpening system out there, IMO. As you may have noticed, the Sharpmaker comes with an instructional video and handbook that gives step-by-step instruction on its' use. With the easy instruction, learning this system is a breeze. The main thing to remember is to maintain the vertical positioning of the blade against the stones.

I was never able to achieve satisfactory sharpening results with many systems that I had used before, but the 204 changed all of that. I now achieve razor sharpness on my knives easily, and every time. IMO, the Sharpmaker is the best system that you can use, besides freehand, to achieve that perfect razor edge. ;)
 
the video is actually really nice. it shows you exactly how to sharpen almost every type of blade there is, from a regular pocket knife, to a kitchen knife, to garden shears, to scissors.
 
the Sharpmaker is versatile, becuase it gives you different angles for different tools. Also, you can lay stones together in bottom grooves,side to side, and they act like large ceramic stone for freehand, if you prefer.
Only shortcoming, you cannot make convex edge with hte Sharpmaker.
Martin
 
LARRY, I HAVE ONE MYSELF,IT'S GREAT.U CAN FREE HAND OR PUT IN IT'S BASE AND GO TOO TOWN .I SHARPEN EVERTHING FROM MY KUKES TO MY SAK TO THE KITCHEN.:D
 
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