What gear will I need to get good edges?

Steel130

Steel130

Joined
Sep 17, 2010
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I hear alot of people say they dont like the factory edges on most production knives. I have never really disliked my edges on knives, I figure if they shave hair thats good, but i'm pretty unknowledgeable. Most people told me to get a Sharpmaker system to do my sharpening, but Its much harder to actually reprofile the blade with this system correct? So what all should I get to be able to properly put a good edge on my knives?
 
My favorite is a Hewlett Jewelstik 1-2-3. I have a Sharpmaker, but only use it for finishing. The Jewelstik is a 3 sided sharpener that kinda' looks like a butcher's steel, but it is diamond coated (coarse, medium, and fine). I own a few different sharpeners of different types, but this is my fave.:thumbup:

P.S. Unlike some other sharpening systems that are bound to be mentioned, it isn't ridiculously over-priced, either. Very affordable.
 
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If you intend to re-profile any of the newer 'super steels', do yourself a favor and use diamonds. You can get diamond sticks for the Sharpmaker and most other sharpeners usually offer diamond hones as well.
 
The Wicked Edge is the best of the current crop of clamp system sharpeners, and it excels at sharpening short to medium blades.
For longer blades however i would choose the Edge Pro.
 
All the gear anybody really NEEDS to get a really good edge is a generic 1000/4000 grit waterstone.

What you REALLY need to get a good edge, however, is skill.
 
Fallkniven DC-3 or DC-4 whetstone, an old leather belt and some Brasso.

voila, everything you need to keep your shiny sharp stuff shiny and sharp.
 
As far as the "machines" go, I would chose the Edge Pro Apex and I don't even have it yet - I just want one but I keep spending the money on the knives instead! My knives are SUPER SHARP but not pretty with mirror finishes. I use a Sharpmaker and an AG Russell Ceramic Sharpener, both rod systems that work great. I have a Galco system but I find that it sucks for many knives. It's just too "loose" if you will and some blade profiles don't work well. Basically, if you can't clamp onto a flat surface on both sides the knife rocks back and forth . .
 
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It depends what knife your talking about, I used a lansky guided angle system at 15 degrees and a fine stone to get a leatherman blade so sharp it nearly sunk into a tree up to the spine, when I tried to do the same with my kabar I only scratched the coating off because of the knife angle. I would say sharpmaker for folders and small fixed and edgepro or wicked edge for large fixed blades or if you have edge OCD.
 
Well I'm not planning on dropping a load of cash on a sharpener. So would the Spyderco SM and the Diamond rods along with it suffice ATM?
 
An even cheaper and more versatile option would be the DMT Aligner or Magna-Guide, full set from XXC to XXF. I think it'll cost about 50-60 dollars.
 
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