What do the big manufacturers use to sharpen their blades?

E

EkL

Joined
Jul 8, 2005
Messages
11
So what do the big manufacturers like Spyderco and Benchmade use to sharpen the blades for sale? Do they use the same thing to resharpen the blades we send them?

Also, how about the smaller/medium sized companies like Emerson and Microtech? Same question applies.

How do their sharpening systems compare to the higher end commercial sharpening systems that we can buy like the EzeSharp and the EdgePro? I'm thinking of investing in an Ezesharp and this question just kinda shot through my mind.

Thanks to anyone who's in the know:thumbup:
 
I believe they use big machines that automatically sharpen the knives.
 
Do they use Gridners like the Dozier Grinder to sharpen knives?

grinder1_small.gif


Or are these machines mainly for shaping of the blade and things like that?
 
whoa! now that's what i'm talking about. What do you think those run? $500K? I tried a quick search in Google, but couldn't find anything on $$$$.

I'm assuming the small/medium companies would use something similar to the Dozier Grinder, since a CNC machine would be WAY out of their price range?
 
At Benchmade, final sharpening of many models is one of the few processes still done by hand. It's done by a handfull of skilled employees using the sort of equipment that Mr. EkL has shown. They use some simple jigs to help them hold some models, but the sharpening is pretty much a manual affair.
 
EkL said:
What do you think those run? $500K? I tried a quick search in Google, but couldn't find anything on $$$$.
Click to expand...

I've never bought one, but just judging from similar sorts of industrial equipment, I'd guess that by the time the machine is delivered, installed, accessorized for your specific application, and you're trained, it's about 250K$.

Such a machine will need a 480V three-phase service (which is part of why it costs less than you might think. The motors are smaller than you might think.) and shop air (which is another part of what keeps the cost below what you might estimate).
 
I believe Buck and Spyderco also have people performing this task by hand on belt sanders. At least that is my recollection of past comments made by Joe Houser of Buck and Sal Glesser of Spyderco on their respective forums.
 
It is done by hand.

The CNC grinders are for grinding the main bevels on blades and they can cost anywhere from 200k to 500k depending on their features.
 
I thought they used those GE can-openers with the sharpner on the side. I could swear that I have bought some that were done that way.
 
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