ManyReason wrote: ↑Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:28 pmHi, so are you recommending I use the knife out of the box lightly without any pre sharpening and then sharpen at 40 after a bit with light passes to make a microbevel? Does it make a difference if I make a microbevel out of the box right away at 40
I am really not a world class sharpener at all (especially compared to many others on this forum), but still really happy with my results on the Sharpmaker.
I would not overthink it! Just use your knife "out of the box", that does not have to be "lightly", and sharpen it when it starts to get a bit dull - but don´t let it get REALLY dull (!!). Maybe sharpen it for the first time when it just begins to not cut paper cleanly anymore or whatever.
I personally would sharpen it on the 30 degree setting for the first time, just to make sure that you really hit the edge and not rather the "shoulders" (so higher up on the blade). Maybe use a sharpie in order to be able to see that (but you´ĺl realize it anyway, should the blade just not get sharp on the 30 degree setting). Normally on a Spyderco 30 degree should hit the actual edge and properly sharpen the knife.
Then just try out what you like for yourself in subsequent sharpening processes! I sometimes sharpen my Spydies on 30, sometimes I apply a quick microbevel with the 40 setting, both works just fine
If you watch the instructional dvd, use light pressure (!!) and keep the angle more or less, you can´t really mess up a lot and just try both (microbevel or not) on the same knife!