What do you use to sharpen your Kershaws?

S

Sanjuro82

Joined
Jan 31, 2007
Messages
78
Well I'm just about to perchase a Spyderco Sharpmaker, which from what I can gather and have read on these forums, is a damn fine product. But before I make the purchase I just want to get a some quick opinions on what you Kershaw fans use to sharpen your blades. What do you recommend?

Thanks again!
 
I have a Spyderco 204 Sharpmaker, and I find that it works VERY well for ALL Kershaw knives. I also sometimes use my 2 Spyderco benchstones (made out of the same material as the Sharpmaker), but the Sharpmaker is excellent for a beginner and/or for quick touch-ups. The Sharpmaker is a great investment as a tool to keep your Kershaw knives hair-popping sharp.
 
I use a DMT diamond hone to set the edge where I like it, then maintain a sharp edge using a strop and ceramic rod.
 
I have several Arkansas bench stones, I sharpen free hand mostly, always have.
But also touch up with ceramic rods or Diamond rods. I never let my edges get very dull :)
 
Vivi said:
I use a DMT diamond hone to set the edge where I like it, then maintain a sharp edge using a strop and ceramic rod.
Click to expand...

I use the DMT aligner kit to set my edge and touch it up in between sharpenings with a ceramic rod.
 
Out of curiosity, what range does the aligner have? How acute can you take an edge with it?
 
Major resharpening with Norton medium India (aluminum oxide) benchstone, finish sharpen and touch-ups with fine ceramic crockstick sharpener which does the same thing as a Sharpmaker. However for ZDP-189 and SG-2 blades a diamond stone should be faster and possibly do a better job than the India stone.
 
Vivi said:
Out of curiosity, what range does the aligner have? How acute can you take an edge with it?
Click to expand...



It's not marked on the aligner but I googled it and it goes from 12 to 35 degrees. I use the 12 on almost all my knives.
 
so far i have been using a man from forsyth, mo- he always has the same edge and i think my dad is going to buy one of his setups! he machines is own grinders/sharpeners out of alum...its a belt setup but works really well!!!
 
I'm too clumsy to even use the Sharpmaker. I use a Lansky for all my knives. Gets 'em all shaving sharp.
 
I use a Sharpmaker also and I'm quite pleased with it, it does an excellent job of keeping things sharp.

Just don't expect to use it for reprofiling.
 
there have been people who have reprofiled on the sharpmaker and about went crazy doing it. that much i know. wish i had a sharpmaker though
 
offsetlover said:
there have been people who have reprofiled on the sharpmaker and about went crazy doing it. that much i know. wish i had a sharpmaker though
Click to expand...

Yes, but I was crazy to begin with. One of the first things I did with mine ("how tough can it be?") was to start reprofiling an S30V Leek. I finished some time later. :) Many hours over many days, many thousands of strokes and many cleanings of the gray stones required.

I'm really curious about the diamond stones but they're pricey and seem to be out of stock everywhere.
 
Diamond stones are worth it. They stay level, last longer and work much faster. I'm very happy with mine.

I've reprofiled S30V knives and the like with nothing but sheets of low grit sandpaper on hand. I know what it's like. Spending 4 hours a day for weeks, and once you're almost done it's start going sooooo slow. That's how I reprofiled my Byrd Cara Cara flat to the stone.

One nice thing about Kershaws 440A and 13C27 is that it reprofiles much quicker than the Spydercos I'm used to dealing with. I think it might be a bit softer or some other variable in heat treatment. Easiest to reprofile though would have to be an Opinel or SAK.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top