While I would not want to discourage a nifty new purchase (after 30 yrs, no less!), nor would I seek to cast aspersions on your Dad...but perhaps his discontent has to do with a poor sharpening style?
Before the last 5 years of all the ATS and other exotic steel, Buck's were state of the art and "known for keeping an edge".
As someone who only recently learned what it really means to get a sharp edge - that is, after purchasing a Sharpmaker 204 - I can say that if you are doing a poor freehand sharpening job, you will NEVER get a satisfactory edge. I think I actually dulled some of my blades more by my freehanding - I am BAD at it.
That said, maybe he's a hard user and needs more edgeholding, aw, heck he's had it for 30 years, get him a new one!
Before the last 5 years of all the ATS and other exotic steel, Buck's were state of the art and "known for keeping an edge".
As someone who only recently learned what it really means to get a sharp edge - that is, after purchasing a Sharpmaker 204 - I can say that if you are doing a poor freehand sharpening job, you will NEVER get a satisfactory edge. I think I actually dulled some of my blades more by my freehanding - I am BAD at it.
That said, maybe he's a hard user and needs more edgeholding, aw, heck he's had it for 30 years, get him a new one!
