Has anyone ever seen a sharpener like this?

Donut · #1

It looks vaguely familiar.

http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=48&cid=

I searched and didn't see this mentioned anywhere.

Eighth of Eight · #2

Shenanigans!

Donut · #3

Thanks for the laugh. :)

I wonder if they will see any lawsuits over the lack of a safety mechanism.

The Deacon · #4

I'm not certain Spyderco was the first to market a V style two rod sharpener and, while the Sharpmaker may have specific features which were, at one time, protected by a patent I'm not sure any of those features still are. I'd be inclined to doubt it, considering how long it's been in production. I know that, in addition to the Smith's there are several other sharpeners now on the market which use two ceramic rods arranged in a V. None of them really resemble a Sharpmaker, none use that name, so I honestly don't see a problem here.

For example, these are from A.G. Russell...

LorenzoL · #5

I remember 20-25 years ago buying something similar from Buck, two ceramic rods sticking out at an angle from a plastic base.

MCM · #6

I have been using this one for over 25 yrs.
Just clean the rods now and then with Ajax......
Between this and oil stones....... I guess I never progressed....

MCM · #7

I guess its an antique now? No brand name that I can find........
Bought it at a knife shop in the mall back in 1984. (Remember cause I just got married)

Donut · #8

Very interesting. Thanks for all the info!

rycen · #9

Spyderco had a few different types of sharpeners before the 204 Sharpmaker.

tonydahose · #10

what is that doo-hickey in the back? seems like it would be a major pita to put the knife under the top section and then pull it down and what is that 90 degree arm sticking out from the top for?

The Deacon · #11

tonydahose wrote:what is that doo-hickey in the back? seems like it would be a major pita to put the knife under the top section and then pull it down and what is that 90 degree arm sticking out from the top for?

Spyderco 105-M Fold-A-Vee sharpener. It appeared in the '86 and '90 catalogs. Imagine the arm is what you hold onto when using it. Came with a leather pouch and appears to have been intended as a portable sharpener.

yowzer · #12

Seen one? I own one, and used it until I got a set of Profile stones.

The rods are teardrop shaped, which I like a lot -- a very versatile shape for sharpening all sorts of odd shapes. The diamond stone isn't a good one; it wore out pretty quickly.

npueppke · #13

I'm pretty sure Spyderco innovated v-shaped sharpening systems, at least they imply so in the sharpmaker DVD, but the Sharpmaker is certainly not a unique product. I know of at least 2 other variations, one by Lansky and one by DMT.