Sharpmaker, 101 dumb guide for me....

[smuckfelly]

Hello guys, is me again...the new fellow. Would like to know how you guys keep the sharpmaker ya?

Reason for me asking is that I do see few cases that the stone warped. In my situation, a sharpmaker will easily cost me USD100-110 due to ****** currency of my country and ridiculous mark up. Given that price, it is pretty expensive set of sharpening tools I'm going to invest in. And i really hope that there isn't any counterfeit sharpmaker in the market.

So the part of invest or not, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting the sharpmaker. Question now is the stone easily wrapped due to storage or weather? My country in Malaysia will not have 4 seasons, in my country we only have sunny days or rainy days...sometimes sunny with bad haze. High moister around the air will be expected.

Would like to know all the 101 care and maintenance for the sharpmaker. Thanks in advance for all your time to read and reply.

[farnorthdan]

I wouldn't worry too much about it really, buy from a reputable dealer and you should be fine. I also don't think you have much to worry about as far as warping goes, I know there has been a couple rare occurrences but think about all the ones sold and if there truely is a problem spyderco is real good in the warranty department.

[palonej]

Yup^^^
Great tool that only requires scrubbing with a powdered cleaner occasionally.
Sucks it will cost you that much, but you'll love it!
Stay sharp!
Joe

[Spey]

In the event you are unfamiliar;
Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker Instructional DVD
https://youtu.be/5LBDnJv5B58" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Surfingringo]

Hey Smuckfelly, definitely get a sharpmaker. The diamond rods are an absolute must have too. They make the system way more useful and are well worth the money. BTW, the ceramic stones do not warp. Enjoy.

[bearfacedkiller]

Temperature and moisture should have no effect on the rods so don't worry about your climate. I know they are expensive but like Lance said, the diamond rods really do make it a complete system. I don't know much about fake sharpmakers but I would be surprised if there were some out there.

[Knutty]

When I got my Sharpmaker, I had to order 3 or 4 of them (or maybe I ordered the stones separately and returned the bad ones) and mix-and-match the stones because a lot of them had little bumps on them here and there. Yes, bumps.

[The Deacon]

I agree with pretty much everything the others (aside from Knutty) have said here. I'll just add that, IMHO, warped stones are only a cosmetic issue. I'm of the opinion that, unless you're a robot, you are not going to be able to hold a knife consistently dead vertical and that "human error" going to contribute more "angular inconsistency" to your sharpening than a slightly warped stone ever will.

[smuckfelly]

In the event you are unfamiliar;
Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker Instructional DVD
https://youtu.be/5LBDnJv5B58" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hello Sir, thanks for sharing this awesome link. My jaw was wide open when i saw the first few seconds of that guy slicing the paper rapidly.

LOL!!! Didn't know that guy slicing the paper rapidly is Sal

[smuckfelly]

Yup^^^
Great tool that only requires scrubbing with a powdered cleaner occasionally.
Sucks it will cost you that much, but you'll love it!
Stay sharp!
Joe

Hello Sir, when you say scrubbing, do i need a special brush to scrub or just a normal toothbrush will do?

powdered cleaner like how ya? can i use my laundry powdered soap to wash?

[smuckfelly]

When I got my Sharpmaker, I had to order 3 or 4 of them (or maybe I ordered the stones separately and returned the bad ones) and mix-and-match the stones because a lot of them had little bumps on them here and there. Yes, bumps.

Hello Sir, you have any photos of the bumps? Can be felt with hand or is just some sort of light marking that look like bumps?

[Bill1170]

Yup^^^
Great tool that only requires scrubbing with a powdered cleaner occasionally.
Sucks it will cost you that much, but you'll love it!
Stay sharp!
Joe

Hello Sir, when you say scrubbing, do i need a special brush to scrub or just a normal toothbrush will do?

powdered cleaner like how ya? can i use my laundry powdered soap to wash?

You use scouring powder with a nonwoven abrasive pad to clean the rods. ScotchBrite is the best known brand. I use a cellulose sponge that has the ScotchBrite pad laminated to one face. Barkeeper's Friend is the powder I prefer, but any scouring powder with mineral abrasive grit will work. Powdered laundry soap has no mineral grit, so it won't work as well, IMO.

[Evil D]

I don't think any of my stones are perfectly flat to be honest. If I hold them all up against a known flat surface, all of them will show light between the stone and the surface. As Paul said though, I really don't think it will make a difference unless it's significantly warped.

[D-Roc]

If you like Spyderco, its always a great idea to buy a sharpmaker. Even if they are expensive in your location.

[Knutty]

When I got my Sharpmaker, I had to order 3 or 4 of them (or maybe I ordered the stones separately and returned the bad ones) and mix-and-match the stones because a lot of them had little bumps on them here and there. Yes, bumps.

Hello Sir, you have any photos of the bumps? Can be felt with hand or is just some sort of light marking that look like bumps?

No, I did not take photos. I was too busy printing out return labels and attaching them to boxes. The bumps were easily seen and felt.