what's the procedure for using the Sharpmaker Diamond Rods?

[cognitivefun]

I can't find documentation on when and how to use the diamond rods.

Thanks for any help.

 

[GarageBoy]

Use em like the normal ones

 

[Planterz]

Use them lightly. Even though it seems like you want to put pressure on them, you don't need to. Plus, you'll potentially knock the diamond chips off from their base and wear the rods down too quickly.

Be careful with the tip of the knife too. The diamond rods can deform or remove the sharp tip pretty quick. I prefer to only use the flats of the rods for this reason.

 

[Jeff Clark]

You use the diamond rods when you don't get a decent edge on your knife using about 20 strokes per side using the dark, medium ceramic rods. The diamond rods are for heavier material removal. The simplest thing to do is set the diamond rods in the 30-degree holes and gently hone alternate sides until you can feel a sharp edge along 95% of the edge. At that point switch to using the edges of the medium rods for about 10 strokes per side. Then use the medium flats for about 10 strokes per side.

At this point you probably have a burr on your edge (a microscopic foil-like residue of unremoved steel along the edge). To remove this, put the medium rods in the 40-degree holes and hone alternating sides, but instead of holding the blade vertical tilt the spine towards the center (away from the hone you are stroking) so that you are working at more like a 60-degree included angle (30 degrees per side). Do about 5 strokes per side using only light pressure.

Now that you have reprofiled your blade and deburred it go back to the basic Spyderco Sharpmaker instructions. In general do most of your work using the flats of the medium rods at 30 degrees. Only do a light finish at 40 degrees using the white rods.

 

[cognitivefun]

Jeff, this is very helpful, thank you.

 

[knifenerd]

I was told by the guy at the NYCKS Spyderco table (standing right next to Sal Glesser), to use water with the diamond hones as well. This is coming from a "company" source. I've done it, and it works well.

 

[cognitivefun]

I was told by the guy at the NYCKS Spyderco table (standing right next to Sal Glesser), to use water with the diamond hones as well. This is coming from a "company" source. I've done it, and it works well.

what does that mean? Wet the rods once? And when you say it works well, does that mean it profiles better than dry?