Spyderco Sharpmaker

Most of my spydercos are at 17, so I do 15. You'll get oddball ones like the Waterway that's at 11 so definitely eyeball-measure a little.
 
The Sharpmaker is in the basic setup with the medium and fine rods too fine. It won't be sufficient to sharpen a knife from dull to sharp. But those rods should be good to keep a blade sharp. As far as I remember you own a Double Stuff, too. The grit is the same. Difference is that the Sharpmaker will give you some aid to hold the angle. But apart that it won't be superior to the Double Stuff (in my opinion). You could buy diamond or CBN rods, but they are expensive. And I don't think that those extra rods could do what your DMT stones can't. Would be done twice.
Have you ever thought about a sharpening system?
 
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Papilio said:
The Sharpmaker is in the basis setup with the medium and fine rods too fine. It won't be sufficient to sharpen a knife from dull to sharp. But those rods should be good to keep a blade sharp. As far as I remember you own a Double Stuff, too. The grit is the same. Difference is that the Sharpmaker will give you some aid to hold the angle. But apart that it won't be superior to the Double Stuff (in my opinion). You could buy diamond or CBN rods, but they are expensive. And I don't think that those extra rods could do what your DMT stones can't. Would be done twice.
Have you eveer thought about a sharpening system?
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I got the Sharpmaker to see what all the hubbub was about. It appears that it is not going to do what I had thought it would do, but if I can use it to touch up edges, and take a working edge to shaving sharp, that would be nice. So far, that ain't happening.

I pause at the idea of using a sharpening system. For me, there is something missing in the experience of a sharpening system. I want to learn how to freehand sharpen.

Up until now, I have been using the DoubleStuff like a tiny bench stone, but I've been studying Michael Christy's sharpening technique, and I may try it his way.
 
Mister Coffee said:
I pause at the idea of using a sharpening system. For me, there is something missing in the experience of a sharpening system. I want to learn how to freehand sharpen.

Up until now, I have been using the DoubleStuff like a tiny bench stone, but I've been studying Michael Christy's sharpening technique, and I may try it his way.
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Personally, I wouldn't buy a sharpening system, too. I prefer freehand, too.
I think it may be worth to give it a try using other sharpening techniques. Whatever works. It is possible to use the DoubleStuff as a bench stone even with larger knives. That is a question of the technique, too.
Both the DoubleStuff and the Shaprmaker should produce a shaving sharp edge.
 
Mister Coffee said:
I got the Sharpmaker to see what all the hubbub was about. It appears that it is not going to do what I had thought it would do, but if I can use it to touch up edges, and take a working edge to shaving sharp, that would be nice. So far, that ain't happening.

I pause at the idea of using a sharpening system. For me, there is something missing in the experience of a sharpening system. I want to learn how to freehand sharpen.

Up until now, I have been using the DoubleStuff like a tiny bench stone, but I've been studying Michael Christy's sharpening technique, and I may try it his way.
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You should give sharpening in hand a try.
Being a carpenter I have done this for years with good results but after seeing Michael Christie’s videos I kind of adapted my technique a bit.
One main advantage to this way is really being able to see the bevel contact the stone.
Also hearing how it sounds and the feedback will keep you on the bevel.

My way though I always keep the bevel facing me but I don’t change hands.
I just flip the knife.
AC656647-0620-40F6-8B21-EF0E2A688C94.jpeg
These are some of the pocket stones I use.
I don’t suggest setting a new bevel on a super steel with this method but for most situations this works well.
 
willc willc I agree, Will. Today, I spent a little quality time with the Sharpmaker. Once again, the device completely ignored my knives. I guess I will have to re-bevel the knives on a bench stone so that I know where I'm starting, and then see if the Sharpmaker can be used for touching up the edge.

Frustrated? I could write a book.
 
about a year ago I got a pair of the 204 CBN Dimond rods, makes a big difference when sharping, much quicker then the regular stones that come with this kit, then I just use the brown stones to take out the small scratches then strop done, hope this helps.
 
I have been reading this discussion and agree with blanex1- The CBN or Diamond rods will allow you to reach a burr much quicker! Mister Coffee, you have done the research and bought the product. Out of the box, it's very slow. The CBN and/or diamond rods should make it work for you and end your frustration!
 
blanex1 said:
about a year ago I got a pair of the 204 CBN Dimond rods, makes a big difference when sharping, much quicker then the regular stones that come with this kit, then I just use the brown stones to take out the small scratches then strop done, hope this helps.
Click to expand...
wvdavidr said:
I have been reading this discussion and agree with blanex1- The CBN or Diamond rods will allow you to reach a burr much quicker! Mister Coffee, you have done the research and bought the product. Out of the box, it's very slow. The CBN and/or diamond rods should make it work for you and end your frustration!
Click to expand...

I may do that. But first I have to make sure that I'm doing everything correctly. My failure so far may be my fault and not the fault of the Sharpmaker. If I take a new knife to the Sharpmaker and can touch up the edge successfully, that will tell me that the knives I've been using up to now need to be re-bevelled before they go on the Sharpmaker. (I hope that makes sense.)
 
Mister Coffee said:
I may do that. But first I have to make sure that I'm doing everything correctly. My failure so far may be my fault and not the fault of the Sharpmaker. If I take a new knife to the Sharpmaker and can touch up the edge successfully, that will tell me that the knives I've been using up to now need to be re-bevelled before they go on the Sharpmaker. (I hope that makes sense.)
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If you’re using the Sharpmaker correctly, it works. If it hasn’t worked for you so far, it’s not the equipment. It’s something you’re doing wrong.

Concentrate on holding the knife straight up and down and moving it the same way up and down the rods each time, and on both sides. Even if you’re slightly off on your angle as long as you’re consistent it’ll work.

Get the cheapest, dullest knife in your kitchen and go to town for a while. Make it sharp. Once you do that move on to your more expensive chit.
 
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