VIDEO REVIEW: The Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpening System>>>>>>>>>

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Rolex John

Rolex John

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Hey Guys,

Let’s face it – sharpening knives isn’t easy. Using conventional means, it requires a great deal of skill and patience – both of which are in short supply in my case.

Fortunately, Spyderco has a knife sharpening system which could have easily been called “Knife Sharpener for Dummies.” I did a video review of the product and explain what makes this system both simple and effective – check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDueG9UBODY
 
Tip: you can put the lid on in the middle of the system to give yourself more "handle room."
 
Try to lighten up the pressure when using the corners.The fact that the stone is triangle shaped puts the pressure where it needs to be.Also when you lessen the pressure,especially on the corners,you'll have much less of a tendency to roll the tip of the blade off of the stone.Also the brass rods fit into a groove underneath where you had the white stones.
 
I just got a sharpmaker yesterday and love it.. what a brilliant, effective and simple system. I got my knife to shave hair in less than 4 minutes.
 
Can I use all 3 or just 2 or just 1 of the flat sides of the rods?

What about the corner of the rod? could I only use 1 corner? or could I use all three?

And what angle do you guys use for Spyderco Knives such as the Sage?
 
knowsnoknife said:
Can I use all 3 or just 2 or just 1 of the flat sides of the rods?

What about the corner of the rod? could I only use 1 corner? or could I use all three?

And what angle do you guys use for Spyderco Knives such as the Sage?
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It would serve you well to rotate the corners and sides. As you remove blade steel, it will eventually "clog" the stone thus reducing cutting efficiency. As you sharpen more and more, you will get a feel for the stones and how much or little they are effectively removing steel. Once all sides are no longer removing steel as fast it's time to break out the Comet/ajax and a scouring pad.

ETA: knowsnoknife- do you own the sharpmaker? I only ask before I answer your questions about the angle of the sage because the sharmaker allows you two angles; 30degree and 40 degree, as well as the ability to create a backbevel. The angle all depends on what you use the knife for. I don't own a sage, but I imagine its factory bevel is in the realm of 30 degrees.
 
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KNaB said:
It would serve you well to rotate the corners and sides. As you remove blade steel, it will eventually "clog" the stone thus reducing cutting efficiency. As you sharpen more and more, you will get a feel for the stones and how much or little they are effectively removing steel. Once all sides are no longer removing steel as fast it's time to break out the Comet/ajax and a scouring pad.

ETA: knowsnoknife- do you own the sharpmaker? I only ask before I answer your questions about the angle of the sage because the sharmaker allows you two angles; 30degree and 40 degree, as well as the ability to create a backbevel. The angle all depends on what you use the knife for. I don't own a sage, but I imagine its factory bevel is in the realm of 30 degrees.
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Yes sir, I do own a sharpmaker and I have watched the video. I just wanted to know what you guys use for your Sydercos.

So am I correct in saying that it is ok to use all 3 corners of the rods?

And that it is also ok to use all 3 flat surface of the rods including the flat surface with the groove?

Or do you guys not use the surface with the groove?
 
Absolutely use all three corners and all three flats. I don't think the grooved flat side would be detrimental to sharpening, just less surface area. Whenever you feel a corner or a flat side stop cutting, rotate it to a clean/cleaner corner or side. If you haven't had the sharpmaker that long, as stated by Sal in the video, there is a sort of "break in" period for the stones. As you use them more, they will cut better. You'll be able to tell by the sound and feel. It's almost soothing to me :)
 
Also, when you guys sharpen, do you guys do the whole process all over? 2 Brown phases and 2 ceramic phases?

What is the knife is still somewhat sharp? Do you guys skip the brown rod phase and just do the ceramic phases?
 
knowsnoknife said:
Also, when you guys sharpen, do you guys do the whole process all over? 2 Brown phases and 2 ceramic phases?

What is the knife is still somewhat sharp? Do you guys skip the brown rod phase and just do the ceramic phases?
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I use a strop if my knife is fairly sharp, but if you don't have one or feel that the edge has declined too far, then use the whites. Trial & error - If a strop won't bring it back then the whites. If they won't then the medium rods.

You'll have the knack soon, there's only two sets of rods to fool around with, so not a lot of variables other than pressure which I don't advocate a lot of - just enough pressure and you'll feel and hear the rods working. :thumbup:
 
Depending on the condition of the edge, a lot of people may just touch up with the fine stones as opposed to going through the entire process.
 
knowsnoknife said:
Also, when you guys sharpen, do you guys do the whole process all over? 2 Brown phases and 2 ceramic phases?

What is the knife is still somewhat sharp? Do you guys skip the brown rod phase and just do the ceramic phases?
Click to expand...

Just use the white rods. Or purchase the ultra fine rods. A few passes is all you need.
 
By the way, can I use an ordinary pencil eraser to clean the rods? What do you guys use to clean it? Do some of you use just plain water and scrubbing? or Just plain running water and handsoap?
 
I love the Sharpmaker but occasionally I find that I roll one edge if I'm not careful to keep the knife vertical. If that happens one side will shave and the other is noticeably less sharp.
 
I re-profiled a 440C blade today from around 50* to 30* on the Sharpmaker with the diamond rods. It took some time, but the edge ended up being worth it. Crazy sharp. To everyone that says it's only a Sharpkeeper and not a Sharpmaker, I say, "Ha!".
 
Handwrecker said:
I re-profiled a 440C blade today from around 50* to 30* on the Sharpmaker with the diamond rods. It took some time, but the edge ended up being worth it. Crazy sharp. To everyone that says it's only a Sharpkeeper and not a Sharpmaker, I say, "Ha!".
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What knife blade did you re-profile? Good job it'll be a slicer now. :thumbup:
 
Gadgetman7 said:
I love the Sharpmaker but occasionally I find that I roll one edge if I'm not careful to keep the knife vertical. If that happens one side will shave and the other is noticeably less sharp.
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As cziv said in a prior post, pressure is important. Maybe youre using too much. That was my problem when i first started using the sharpmaker. Let the stones do the work.
 
I use ordinary pencil easer's to clean and they work for me .. Think I paid 2 bucks and got a wide white and 2 wide pink erasers
 
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