To anyone thinking about buying a sharpmaker...

M

midmo

Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
80
Get one! My wife got one for my birthday and it is awesome. It makes an edge scary sharp in no time. It may take a little bit to get it done where you can sharpen anything but it is worth it.
 
Yep they are a good investment for sure. I have the diamond rods as well and they are a must have if you have let your knife become too dull or have any edge damage.
 
I've been putting off getting one. I keep telling myself I'm going to get one, and then I see something else I want . . . .
 
dr_fosg8 said:
Yep they are a good investment for sure. I have the diamond rods as well and they are a must have if you have let your knife become too dull or have any edge damage.
Click to expand...
This is where I feel it falls short. I wish they offered an upgraded kit that had the diamond, medium, fine, and ultra fine in one package. It does work very well for maintaining an edge but is extremely limited on edge repair with the standard stones.
 
Fish Boy said:
I've been putting off getting one. I keep telling myself I'm going to get one, and then I see something else I want . . . .
Click to expand...

Me too. Every time I SHOULD buy one I end up using the money for a new Spydie! Never need to sharpen if you get 24 knives a year, right? Lol
 
dubya3 said:
Me too. Every time I SHOULD buy one I end up using the money for a new Spydie! Never need to sharpen if you get 24 knives a year, right? Lol
Click to expand...

I've only had to sharpen my Paramilitary 2 knives a few times ever because I have three of them for no particular reason.

I'm setting aside money for a Sharpmaker. So I don't spend it on a new flashlight, new dive equipment, knife . . . .

Too many things to buy. Too little money to spend.
 
I need to break down and get one with my next paycheck.

Just watched the Sharpmaker video on youtube. Sal is obviously a wealth of knowledge and is fun to watch, to boot!
 
I have one too together with the CBN rods which I got to change the edge bevels on folding knives (to avoid the dirt from water stones to get inside the pivot). Well, changing the edge bevels (not thinning or re-profiling or other large material removal procedure) is a long story with sharpmaker. I am currently putting 30 deg. inclusive on small Sebenza 21 and it just can not be done in one evening. Maybe I will finish it today, maybe not.

But if one only needs to touch up the edge (what, frankly is all what one needs 95% of the time with pocket knives) with just the brown and white rods is really quick, clean and very consistent.

So yes, sharpmaker makes sense and one does not have to fight those multi $100 tech-gizmos just to touch up the edge (given one is not into free hand sharpening on diamond stones). But it is bit of a one trick pony in a certain sense that it can not do all tasks around maintaining a blade.

I would buy it again, but would skip those CBN rods and get a coarse diamond stone instead.
 
I like it, great for sharpening but it takes a bit of patience even with the diamonds to reprofile. I bought some Congress Tools moldmaster stones in 120 and (I think) 240 to reprofile and it works pretty well. Looks a little goofy with the moldmasters rubber banded to the SM rods, but it is effective :).
 
The sharpmaker can get a knife EXTREMELY sharp, just keep that in mind the UF will mirror polish an edge. But to sharpen even a dull knife with a microbevel, no issue with stock stones with any steel, to reprofile a knife ranges from no fun to hope you have nothing to do with week depending on the steel 420hc, not that bad, s110v would probably take tens of thousands of strokes. The diamond stones reduce this to around a couple hours at most regardless of the steel, they're a must have. Fixing edge damage however, you couldn't pay me to try. I've fixed small chips on softer steels with the stock rods, but it took a few hours, major damage especially to super steels would take a LOOOONG time. My Dad washed my ZT0566 off in a stream once rattling it on the rocks, you couldn't see any rolling or chipping with the naked eye you needed magnification or to cut something but it still took hours to get out with the mediums.


But again the stock set will sharpen in properly beveled knife to razor levels with no issue, the diamond rods will allow reprofiling and fixing minor damage. If your not into sharpening I would say its much smarter to send poorly ground or damaged knives to a pro like josh at razor edge knives, who can put a perfect 25-30 degree bevel on it allowing you to easily microbevel it for years generally your looking at 6-15$ I believe if he has to fix damage. I own a wicked edge, but the base model will actually not get you as sharp as the sharpmaker can, so your looking at 400-500$ to get sharpmaker level edges.
 
in general,i think every spyderco owner should have a sharpmaker for there bench-top!i'm vary pleased with mine,along with others,don't no what took me so long to invest in one! but to be honest it wasn't till i started collecting my spyderco knifes that i finally picked one up.
 
Sharpening gear is a bit of a grudge purchase for me. Almost like dragging your carcass to gym. But you feel great afterwards !

It is extremely rewarding to have a means to put a screaming sharp, better than factory, edge back on your favourite knife.

If I have to do it all over again, I'll get a SM with diamond rods for minor repairs and touchups, and two DMT Diafolds (XC/C and F/XF) for reprofiling.
 
I have been using 180 grit sandpaper wrapped around the UF rods for my really dull knives. Beats paying all out for the diamond rods.
 
Brock O Lee said:
Sharpening gear is a bit of a grudge purchase for me. Almost like dragging your carcass to gym. But you feel great afterwards !

It is extremely rewarding to have a means to put a screaming sharp, better than factory, edge back on your favourite knife.

If I have to do it all over again, I'll get a SM with diamond rods for minor repairs and touchups, and two DMT Diafolds (XC/C and F/XF) for reprofiling.
Click to expand...

I guess you just convinced me. I probably need to get one in the short time between now and when the Hap40s, GB2, and PM2 in s110v are released.
 
Brock O Lee said:
Sharpening gear is a bit of a grudge purchase for me. Almost like dragging your carcass to gym. But you feel great afterwards !

It is extremely rewarding to have a means to put a screaming sharp, better than factory, edge back on your favourite knife.

If I have to do it all over again, I'll get a SM with diamond rods for minor repairs and touchups, and two DMT Diafolds (XC/C and F/XF) for reprofiling.
Click to expand...


Like buying batteries for your great flashlight :) :rolleyes: - oh yeah - gotta' have 'em.

Get the Sharpmaker - it'll light up your life :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top