What sharpener should I get?

W

WillieD

Joined
Jan 22, 2004
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Hey guys. I am looking to buy a sharpener and need some advice. I am a novice so I am looking for something almost foolproof that works well. I guess that's what we all look for though, right. Kinda narrowed it down between the Syderco Sharpmaker or a Lansky setup. Which would be the better choice for me. I have a ton of knives that need hit as well as a few that just need touched up weekly. Thanks, Terry
 
Either will do what you want. The Lansky can make reprofiling easier (wider angles so less metal needs removal, plus coarser hones are available so even narrower angles can be quicker) at the cost of less versatility, use of honing oil, and the need to tape up where you clamp the knife to reduce accidental marring of the finish. With the Sharpmaker, you risk less chances of accidently scratching up your knives and less mess, but it can be slower to use at first (until the bevels match the Sharpmaker's preset angles) and you'll be tempted to buy the diamond sleeves (sandpaper is cheaper and cuts faster).

That said, were you to buy both, you'd probably end up using the Sharpmaker more often, so maybe just disregard my rambling and get a Sharpmaker.
 
Get a Sharpmaker and a coarse diamond hone for reprofiling. You'll need to reprofile many of your knives before the Sharpmaker will work on them. Coarse sandpaper also works well for that step. See the sharpening FAQ if you're wondering just what the heck reprofiling is. ;) Good luck!
 
To avoid the cost of a coarse diamond hone, you could always buy a 40-grit zirconium oxide belt from the hardware store (Home Depot has 'em), cut off a piece, and tack it onto a wooden block. It should cut very aggressively and not break the bank.
 
I'm a Sharpmaker user and since I picked up the diamond hones, I'm really happy with it. You just have to take that final step to commit to either the 30 or 40 degree angle.
 
You really can't go wrong with the Sharpmaker. My lansky and gatco clamp sharpeners now collect dust, once I got an EdgePro, but I still use the Sharpmaker. Usually I'll re-profile with the EdgePro and then do my final touch ups with the Sharpmaker.
 
Thanks for the advice. Borrowed the Sharpmaker video from a buddy and it looks really easy for me. What's the technique for reprofiling with the sandpaper or zinc ox belt? Do you have to get a certain angle or just hit it enough to knock the bevel down enough for the sharpmaker to start off a new one? Terry
 
Wow everyone loves a sharpmaker, except me.

I wouldnt get a sharpmaker because guess what, reprofiling is a biotch!

well you can get the diamond stones, for 60 bucks, then youve got the sharpener for what, 40?

so thats 100 dollars on the sharpmaker alone.

So,m for 30 dollars or a bit more, get an edge pro, it will outclass the sharpmaker 10 times over.

Or, you can get some stones.
 
aaron_simkovich makes a good point regarding cost. I agree with him too, skip the Sharpmaker and get an EdgePro.

Mike
 
Originally posted by yam
aaron_simkovich makes a good point regarding cost. I agree with him too, skip the Sharpmaker and get an EdgePro.

Mike
Click to expand...

But if I go with the Sharpmaker and just use a zinc ox belt to reprofile, I'll only have less than $50 in the whole deal. Even if it takes longer to reprofile using this method, I'll only have to do it once, right? After that I can just touch them up easily in only a few minutes. A diamond hone is only $15-20 right? Just tell me if I'm off base on any of this. I'm just starting out. My buddy (Manowar) who is on this site often, is slowly getting me into the knife thing. He is a wealth of info, but I am always open to other opinions. He has a sharpmaker and a Lansky. He did a knife that was in pretty bad shape the other weekend for me and reprofiled it with the Lansky and finished it off with the Spydy. SCARY sharp. I just wanted to get my own stuff to learn it on my own. Again any info would be great. Thanks, Terry
 
My vote fro Sharpmaker + diamond rods. 40+50 in New Grapham.
Only cons - two fixed angles 30 and 40. Enough for me.
Thanks, Vassili.
 
I like the Sharpmaker just fine... for the price. I like the EdgePro much better though.
The way I justified the cost of the EdgePro with video + upgrade ($150) was to just think of it as costing the same as a Benchmade Limited Edition or some other nice knife.
I'm glad I talked myself into getting the EdgePro. You will be too if you decide to get one.
 
Thumbs up for the Sharpmaker.

I do my reprofiling with a Lansky and then the fnal micro-bevel with the 204.

Works great. Good bang for the buck. :)
 
After that I can just touch them up easily in only a few minutes. A diamond hone is only $15-20 right?

Well you gould go rather for seconds than minutes, id your knife isn´t too dull. :D
 
GET the DMT "COURSE "POCKET SHARPENER ,for profiling,the Sharpmaker for finishing it up,you will need nothing else!
Jim
 
If those are your only 2 choices go with the Sharpmaker, but remember it's not a end all be all sharpener, it does have it's limitations, fixed angle, so if your bevels don't match you'll have to make 'em match or compensate for the angle.

Buy a decent bench hone and lear to sharpen freehand.
 
Willie,

I just ordered the basic EdgePro (Apex) from BestKnives. After much study here (before the site went down) and other places, I concluded it had the best features. Read the FAQ (go to Knowledge Base first then clik on the FAQ's there) on this site and you'll find super info on sharpening. BestKnives had the lowest price I could find.

http://www.bestknives.com/sharpnersmore.html

Cheers,
og
 
Many recommendations above for the Sharpmaker.
This thread was started by a novice yet not one reply to his question warned him of the danger of tip rounding with the Sharpmaker.

I strongly believe that no one should recommend this system without the warning. It looks so simple that most new owners go right at it without studying the instructions.

IMHO the Sharpmaker is not a sharpening system. It is a touch up sharpener for blades that have been factory sharpened or re profiled to 15 or 20 degrees.

Re profiling a blade to either of these two angles is not the job for a Sharpmaker unless more money is paid for diamonds etc. As I don't own one, I will let others word a warning for how to avoid tip rounding.
 
I've got them all - the Lansky, the Spyderco, lots of stones, and finally the Edgepro. I'm pretty (actually very) good with the stones. I like the Spyderco for touchups. I never really got into the Lansky, but can't offer a good explanation why. But the Edgepro puts edges on knives that I can't touch any other way. It truly is 'scary sharp' and when you use the polish tapes, the edges come out mirror bright, which is a very cool variant on the factory edge finish.
 
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