Thinking about getting this sharpening kit

[Kayvman]

I'm try to learn how to sharpen my own knives now and was doing a bit of research. An Edge Pro and things similar are a little bit out of my budget right now. I was thinking about getting this kit, can some of the more experienced members here give me some input on what they think about it?

Thank you

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/product_info.php?cPath=637_638&products_id=7184

 

[Hard H2O]

That looks like a kit for field maintenance on a convex edge.

I would look at the GATCO professional. They are simple for a beginner to use. I have added the two finer hones and a stropping step to my GATCO.

And it won't break the bank either.

Good luck.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Check out the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I did alot of research and for being on a budget and getting bang for your buck I feel this system has it. If you plan on doing serious reprofiling of edges or are working with harder steels this may not be the best for you but it was a great place to start for me and I am putting mirror polished edges better than the factory edges that came on my knives. I purchased the additional diamond rods and extra fine rods and am able to do minor reprofiling and get my edges really sharp with these add ons. Best of luck to you.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'm sure that kit will work. As mentioned, it's designed to maintain convex blades/edges. Standard V-bevels can also be sharpened on it, and they will be at least slightly convexed in the process. Nothing wrong with that, convex performs great. Just be sure that's what you want. From a functional standpoint, I've been using this to do the same thing:

A block of wood, a piece of leather stuck to it, compound (of your choice) and some wet/dry sandpaper at about $1 per 9" x 12" sheet will do the same, and it's much, much cheaper.

 

[Kayvman]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been reading a lot on sharpening from this forum and as someone who is new, it is a bit overwhelming. I have read a lot of good things about the spyderco sharpening system and I think I'll purchase that with the extra fine rods as well. I'm not looking to do any reshaping, only to keep my knives sharp and in good shape.

thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Hard H2O]

I'm not looking to do any reshaping, only to keep my knives sharp and in good shape.

thanks everyone for the help.

As long as the edge bevels on your blades match the angles that the Sharpmaker does you will be OK. I believe it is intended for you to hold the blade vertical and run the edge down the rods.

If your edges do not match you can mess around with tilting the base to match the angle, reprofile the angles of your blades to match, hold the blade at an angle.

Good Luck