Warping of Sharpmaker Rods

V

VigilantGuardian

Joined
Mar 27, 2007
Messages
53
Hello all,

I bought a 204 Sharpmaker about 3 weeks ago. What a great sharpening system! I had read other posts about some people receiving warped rods, so that was the first thing I checked for when mine arrived. My rods were as close to perfect as possible. I have been using the Sharpmaker quite a bit since I received it.

Yesterday I noticed that my white rods had become quite warped:confused:
I clean my rods with hot water, a green scrub pad, and comet, whenever necessary. I always let my rods dry on a flat surface... and yet they are now warped.

My brown rods are still as true as the day they arrived. The only thing that I can figure out that might be warping the rods is the Sharpmaker case when the rods are being stored. I was always keeping the brown rods on top and the white rods on the sides. For those of you who own a Sharpmaker, you understand the 'pressure' the case uses to hold the side rods in place.

A few questions for my fellow forumites are:

-Have you observed any action or treatment of sharpmaker rods that will cause them to warp?

-Do you think that it is in fact the Sharpmaker case that has deformed my white rods?

-Do any of you have any methods for straightening warped rods?

I look forward to your responses,

~Philip~
 
I have had three sets of the sharpmaker over the years and all have warped over time. I have no idea why, they still work well however.
 
I'm not too worried about it, as I have still been able to achieve shaving sharp results without a problem...

I'm just hoping for any suggestions that might prevent any further warping, or possibly a method to straighten them back out...

I think the Sharpmaker is a wonderful tool for maintaining an edge. Prior to purchasing the Sharpmaker, I had been using one of Lansky's 5 stone systems. I was able to achieve good results with the Lansky, but it was a fairly time consuming process. As a result, I didn't sharpen my knives until they became dull. With the Sharpmaker, it only takes me a few minutes so I use it all the time. I think the only time I will go back to my Lansky will be for re-profiling.
 
I have never heard of ceramic warping. I just have to believe that they must have had some warpage from the factory.

I've had my one of my 204 Sharpmaker kits since it first came out back in 1999/2000. And I have cleaned those stones on dozens of occasions.

Now please I'm not doubting what you say but I am truly wondering if the warpage wasn't always there and you just now discovered it?

I've even heard that you can put that type of ceramic into an autoclave without doing any harm to them.

I've also had a Master Machinist tell me that he had never seen a ceramic as dense as the stuff that Spyderco manufactures.

Something isn't connecting all the dots here.
 
I really can't say that I've ever heard of ceramic warping once its been fully fired and cooled either...

But...It was definitely something I did, or at least something that happened while they were in my possession. Within minutes of getting the package open, I thoroughly checked both sets of rods by placing their flat sides against each other in all 9 combinations for the white rods, and all 9 combinations for the brown rods. They met with no gaps in any of the combinations.

Although I am usually careful about letting the rods completely dry after washing them, there was one occasion that I only let them sit (on paper towels) for about 10 minutes before returning them to the case. The next time I opened the case the rods had a damp smell to them :o. As I stated in my original post, I was always keeping the white rods on the sides of the case (with the grooved side out), and at least on mine, the case exerts a fair bit of opposing pressure (ends of rods vs. middle of rods) to hold them in place.

Although I really don't know for sure, I do think that it may have been this occasion that warped my rods.
 
My Dear Friend,

I had one white rod that was warped from the factory. Send it back to W&R - there is no reason for dealing with warped sharpening rods. They'll make it right, I can assure you.

--------
Hannibal
 
i cannot believe that getting the rod wet caused warpage, thats just not possible imho.
 
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