Yet Again... Sharpmaker Questions

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Nick15

Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Messages
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Sorry if all these questions have been posted on a different thread before, but I really don't have the time to look through them all to find the answers.

Anyways, on to what I'm starting this thread for.
I already know that the Spyderco Sharpmaker is the best lower priced sharpener on the market, but I have a few questions about the system.
Here they are:
1. Is it easy to use?
2. Is it hard to maintain a constant angle while bringing your hand strait down while trying to sharpen a knife? (goes with #1)
3. Can I use it on kitchen knives?
4. Can I use it on all blade shapes? (recurve, tanto, drop point, etc.)
5. Can I sharpen serrations? (not a big deal if I can't)
6. Can I re-profile blades?
7. Can I get a hair popping, paper slicing, mirror polished edge???

That's it. I don't really need it to do #5 and it doesn't have to give the knife the sharpest edge in the entire world, but I would like it close to hair popping.
 
:1. Very easy.

2. Not hard at all. Very easy.

3. It does kitchen knives very well.

4. It does every blade shape and even serrations. It does very good on recurves unlike most other sharpeners.

5. Yes you can do serrations.

6. It is possible to reprofile with it, but you will need the diamond rods and a LOT of time.

7. It is capable of delivering VERY sharp edges. You will be surprised how sharp they get, especially with the ultra fine stones. It won't give you a true mirror polish though. A good stropping will bring it very close however.


6.

6.
5.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
:1. Very easy.

2. Not hard at all. Very easy.

3. It does kitchen knives very well.

4. It does every blade shape and even serrations. It does very good on recurves unlike most other sharpeners.

5. Yes you can do serrations.

6. It is possible to reprofile with it, but you will need the diamond rods and a LOT of time.

7. It is capable of delivering VERY sharp edges. You will be surprised how sharp they get, especially with the ultra fine stones. It won't give you a true mirror polish though. A good stropping will bring it very close however.


6.

6.
5.
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Thanks!!! Answered all my questions! Anyone else have anything to add?
 
Oh, and I just thought I'd add this.
My ZT0350 has an uneven grind on the edge and I was wondering if this sharpener could fix this. At least get it pretty dang sharp...
 
If you see it for a good price, I would just get it. It has the recommendation of a ton of people over many years. The only thing I can think of is to inspect for any chip in one of the stones when you get it...I had one with a couple little chips and I've seen it mentioned by others. I really enjoyed mine back when I got it as I sucked at sharpening free-hand...worked great on hundreds of knives and some tomahawks while being small enough to quickly stuff in a back-pack.
 
OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
If you see it for a good price, I would just get it. It has the recommendation of a ton of people over many years. The only thing I can think of is to inspect for any chip in one of the stones when you get it...I had one with a couple little chips and I've seen it mentioned by others. I really enjoyed mine back when I got it as I sucked at sharpening free-hand...worked great on hundreds of knives and some tomahawks while being small enough to quickly stuff in a back-pack.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!!!
Any thoughts on this:
"My ZT0350 has an uneven grind on the edge and I was wondering if this sharpener could fix this. At least get it pretty dang sharp..."
 
It definitely can - had to fix up a bunch of really beat up knives with it, especially in Iraq where guys would do silly things with the knives. I would just give it a try unless you personally feel it's a little major, then send the ZT in and they will make it proper and get it back to you for free.
 
OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
It definitely can - had to fix up a bunch of really beat up knives with it, especially in Iraq where guys would do silly things with the knives. I would just give it a try unless you personally feel it's a little major, then send the ZT in and they will make it proper and get it back to you for free.
Click to expand...


Good to know!!! Thanks for the reply!!
 
Nick15 said:
Thanks for the reply!!!
Any thoughts on this:
"My ZT0350 has an uneven grind on the edge and I was wondering if this sharpener could fix this. At least get it pretty dang sharp..."
Click to expand...

Without the diamond rods the sharpmaker won't do much for the uneven grinds. If you are persistent then eventually it will even them up, but it will take a long time.

Even though the grinds don't match 100% the sharpmaker will still get it screaming sharp.

The only time the sharpmaker won't make a knife razor sharp is when the edge is too obtuse. If it is more obtuse than 40 degrees then the stones will only hit the shoulders and not the edge, and again that can be remedied using the diamond stones. It was very rare for me to find a knife that couldn't be sharpened using the sharpmaker though. Hope this helps n
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Without the diamond rods the sharpmaker won't do much for the uneven grinds. If you are persistent then eventually it will even them up, but it will take a long time.

Even though the grinds don't match 100% the sharpmaker will still get it screaming sharp.

The only time the sharpmaker won't make a knife razor sharp is when the edge is too obtuse. If it is more obtuse than 40 degrees then the stones will only hit the shoulders and not the edge, and again that can be remedied using the diamond stones. It was very rare for me to find a knife that couldn't be sharpened using the sharpmaker though. Hope this helps n
Click to expand...

Helps very much, thanks for the reply!!!
 
Looks like a new Sharpmaker will be coming home very soon!! Bout time too, some of my knives could use a good sharpening! Thanks for all the replies, if anyone has anything else to add though, feel free!
 
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