When to replace sharpmaker stones

[crzyhorse]

Do the find stones and the medium stones ever need replacing after a while like the cbn and diamond coated stones.

or do the medium and fine stones last forever.

Only time I have to replace them is when I open the box and one of the ones on the sides falls out and shatters on the tile floor. Which has happened twice in about 10 years.

 

[DMG]

I still have my sharpmaker from the early 90s and it works great with cleaning many times over the years. I did buy another last year because I loaned my original to a friend in another town and missed it.

 

[AntDog]

According to what Sal has posted in the past, the brown rods are friable, i.e. they will wear away over time. The white rods should last until you drop them.

Something like that has been the only case where I had to replace one.

I’ve had my Sharpmaker a long time. When my son was little bitty I left it out on the table… I heard “tink tink tink” then some giggling. I didn’t think much of it then I heard “tink tink tink, clatter”.

Of course he was banging the white rods together and one broke. I ordered another and back off to the races. Other than that, mine have been bulletproof.

My son is 22 now BTW.

 

[Fupse R.]

Only time I have to replace them is when I open the box and one of the ones on the sides falls out and shatters on the tile floor. Which has happened twice in about 10 years.

Where did you get yours? I'm looking for reputable brands, and if possible pocketable stones. I like having something on me at all times that I can take out if in a pinch that would work even if that's all I used, though I don't "plan" to only rely on that single one

 

[yablanowitz]

Check out spyderco.com. They sell replacement rods through the factory outlet store, although they aren't very pocketable. They have other ceramic and CBN stones that are easier to carry as well.

 

[MikeInTX]

I've been using Bar Keepers Friend t clean mine, but I'm going to try Mothers Metal Polish because it sounds like I won't need to scrub them as hard.

 

[soc_monki]

Bar keepers friend and a scotchbrite pad. Takes a few seconds and they're like new again.

Although admittedly I don't use my sharpmaker much anymore. I practiced my freehand sharpening, and usually use a 220 grit diamond stone and then finish on a spyderco medium. Sometimes I use the fine stone after medium, just depends on how I feel, and the steel choice. My fixed blades usually get the fine regardless.

The setup I carry in my lunchbox is a sharpal 320/1200 diamond and the spyderco medium. Covers all bases and I can get pretty much any knife in shape in very little time. Except recurves. But I'm not a recurve fan so....