Sharpener for Para 3? Help!

[grennings23]

Hello,

I have a decent knife collection going and I now need a sharpener. I either want the Spyderco Sharpmaker or the Worksharp (knife only version). I like the idea of the Worksharp because it will be easy and fast. However, I always hear great things about the Sharpmaker. The toughest steel that I will be sharpening will be S30v, although I have been looking into a S110V and/or S35VN blade. Please help a brother out and share your opinions. Thanks.

-Grennings

[toomzz]

I started 25 years ago with the Sharpmaker and still use it! In recent years I added the wicked edge which works perfectly fine too.
Start with sharpmaker set and a leather strop with a good compound.

[Sharp Guy]

I started 25 years ago with the Sharpmaker.....

Yep me too! I bought a like new SM from a friend a little over 25+ years ago. That SM is still going strong and works great to keep my Para 3 sharp. I recently upgraded to a new SM only because I wanted to try my hand at reprofiling and wanted the capability of having the rods set to 15°. I've added some CBN rods and some SiC stones and I'm happy as can be!

[elduderino04]

Both are great systems. I fanatically researched sharpening systems before I settled on a KME and the sharpmaker for my uses. I haven't used a worksharp, but did research it extensively.

The Sharpmaker is a great system for maintaining an edge, provided all of your knives are either 15 or 20 degrees per side (you can work with other bevel geometries, but it's much more fiddly). Moreover, regardless of which system you start with, the sharpmaker is so easy to set up and get going that it's worth getting at some point even as a supplement to another system (that's how I use mine).

The worksharp is also a great system, and you can fly through knives once you overcome the learning curve. However, it's also extremely easy to take off too much steel, round tips, etc. Expect to ruin at least a few knives before you get the hang of it. I've heard that it's worth springing for the Ken Onion edition, especially because the grinder attachment is supposedly fantastic (but also carries its own learning curve).

Either system should serve you well. You should also consider getting a strop for more routine maintenance (it can keep edges sharper for longer between full sharpenings).

PS, also keep in mind that for very high vanadium steels like S110V, if you have the option you should use diamond abrasives (rather than, eg, aluminum oxide). The sharpmaker ceramics will work fine (though you'll want to get the CBN or diamond coarse rods to make your life easier), and I believe the worksharp belts are GTG as well.

[elena86]

Hello,

I have a decent knife collection going and I now need a sharpener. I either want the Spyderco Sharpmaker or the Worksharp (knife only version). I like the idea of the Worksharp because it will be easy and fast. However, I always hear great things about the Sharpmaker. The toughest steel that I will be sharpening will be S30v, although I have been looking into a S110V and/or S35VN blade. Please help a brother out and share your opinions. Thanks.

-Grennings

SM is great system but stay away from Worksharp.For reprofiling and high level sharpening I recommend Wicked Edge system.

Marius

[toomzz]

Hello,

I have a decent knife collection going and I now need a sharpener. I either want the Spyderco Sharpmaker or the Worksharp (knife only version). I like the idea of the Worksharp because it will be easy and fast. However, I always hear great things about the Sharpmaker. The toughest steel that I will be sharpening will be S30v, although I have been looking into a S110V and/or S35VN blade. Please help a brother out and share your opinions. Thanks.

-Grennings

SM is great system but stay away from Worksharp.For reprofiling and high level sharpening I recommend Wicked Edge system.

Marius

Indeed, avoid powertools, unless with a leather wheel and compound for some light stropping. Grinding stones might destroy the heat treatment of the steel.

[grennings23]

Thanks for all the replies! I think ill go with a sharpmaker.

[ivtecdaily]

As was stated above, the Sharpmaker is great but where it really shines is paired with another "easier" sharpener like the KME, Wicked Edge, Edge Pro, etc. Use one of the guided systems to set/reprofile/repair an edge and then use the Sharpmaker to touch up the edge after that until you get to a point that a full sharpening is needed again. Personally I have the KME/Sharpmaker and this setup works well for me.