Who makes a simple knife sharpener??

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Dman

Joined
Dec 23, 2000
Messages
206
And one that works without hurting the factory edge? links would be a great help.

thanks
 
After using one for many years I can recommend the Spyderco sharpmaker. If you spend a little time on sharpening forums you will find that many agree. For the price and ease of set-up it's hard to beat ( I think it's around 50.00 give or take 10.00)
 
Definitely a sharpmaker. Just got mine and it put hair popping edges on the first three knives I sharpened with it. No mess like the lansky.
 
I couldn't get an edge on a knife to save my a**, until I got the Sharpmaker 204. It's a great design that even a fool (<---- me) can learn to use effectively in just a little time. I've run out of things to sharpen and have no hair left on my left arm.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
I have the older Syderco Sharpmaker and it is super easy to get a really sharp knife. I have no hesitations about suggesting it to anyone.
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A Pat on the Back is only a few inches from a Kick in the Butt.
 
It is impossible to sharpen a knife without "hurting" the factory edge. The fact that you want to sharpen it sort of indicates to me that you are either displeased with the factory edge or have already "hurt" it.

Also, there is no "simple knife sharpener". All sharpening devices that I've seen involve some degree of "technique" which must be learned with experience.

The ultimate in technique-driven sharpening devices are free-hand stones and grinding wheels. It's entirely up to you.

The popular Sharpmaker makes things a bit easier. Clamp-based systems such as Lansky and Gatco make it even easier.

I have a Gatco Edgemate system and I get good results with it. But, I didn't get good results with it the first time. I sharpened a ten or fifteen cheap knives before I tried my hand on a good knife. I've had the Gatco system for several years now and probably sharpened with it well over a hundred times now. I'm getting good.


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
The Sharpmaker is real good and a favorite among those who frequent this forum. Another good sharpener, which sort of helps you learn "free-hand" sharping, is the Razor's Edge Systems clamps. It has clamps which fasten onto the knife, and you still move the knife over the stone (rather than the stone or a fixed knife), and the 'angle' is almost guarenteed. Here is their link:

http://www.razoredgesystems.com/

This is how I learned/still do sharpen most knives. Although for touch-ups on my Spydercos, I also do use a Sharpmaker.
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Champions make improvements as fast as losers make excuses.
 
I disagree that the clamps are easier than the Sharpmaker. What could be easier than holding the knife straight on and pulling it across the pre-angled stick ? Plus, no nasty clamps to mar up the blade.
 
Depends on what you mean by simple. The Gatco TRiseps is only about $9 and is easy in the pocket. And simple. The 204 as suggested by the prior posts, is an excellent system, recommended by many for good reason. It's a bit more $ about $50 or $60 but a very fine product.
 
Several months of practice will reveal that God made a simple knife sharpener. It is You.

It does take some time, but then everything is simple. Free hand is the Way.

Even if you do use some sort of system, you will need some degree of Understanding.

So I would recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker, even though I prefer flat benchstones to reach the ultimate edge and stay to stay there.

Factory edges are always short lived and rarely even close to perfect. Forget about the factory edge, find the edge You like.

Paracelsus, compulsive stropper, but that is another story...

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 02-07-2001).]
 
Check out Bayou Lafourche for $ 42.49 Spyderco Sharp Maker

I love it. Simple, effective, no clamps, angles, agonizing -- just sharp edges, as sharp as you want your knives to be.

Turn them into razors or put a good, durable working edge on them. Follow the simple instructions in the booklet or watch the video (it comes with the kit).

It also works beautifully on scissors, nail-clippers, and potato peelers.

I got the Gatco Tri-Seps, which is actually a mini-sharpmaker sort of gadget. Not nearly as effective for a lot of sharpening, but great for touch-ups, especially in the field. I got the diamond-coated Tri-Seps, also, which is great for cleaning up chips before you go to work with the Sharpmaker itself.
 
Dman,

Para is right, nothing is better than freehand on a benchstone, it does take some skill though. I am still learning.
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The 204 has helped my learning, for me it seems easier to get the correct angle by holding the blade vertical. The preset stones have let me experiment by going slightly off vertical and finding the 'wire edge' that you hear about.

It is easy, with most knives, to get an edge that will shave using the 204. But once I get that edge, I turn to a extrafine benchstone to polish the edge...and then a strop. I use the 204 to start because it's easy and I rarely scratch the blade (hate that!).

As my skills (and courage) grow, I'm sure I will go to benchstones exclusively.

Note: Using the 204 on the 'pointy' sides willcut the tip off your knife, if you don't like tantos, stop about 1/8" before the end of the blade. (heh!) Sorry Sal
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Maybe a 'teardrop' shape?

Hope this helps,

Steve-O
 
Sharpmaker and a strop made a beleiver out of me! I got my Sharpmaker for $38.99 and the strop for $12.97 from Knives Plus in Amarillo Texas. Call them at 1-800-687-6202 for a catalog.

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If firearms cause crime, then matches cause arson.
 
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