The 204 Sharpmaker~ modifications maybe?

[JD Spydo]

I do hope that the title doesn't throw you a knuckle ball but most every invention could be improved by some sort of modification.

The 2 things that I would like to see changed on the 204 Sharpmaker would be the addition of an extra coarse set of stones for rapid stock removal of really beat up blades and have the base modified to where you could put a set of 701 Profiles to be used at the same angles that the triangle stones are already set up for.

This is in no way to be constued as a criticism for the 204 unit but just something to think about for a possible revamping of the unit. I am sure that many of you who have used the 204 Sharpmaker have said something to the effect of "That Unit Would Be Perfect If It Just Had....." or if they would just add "this or that" to unit it would be capable of what I really need it for.

I think the 204 Sharpmaker is nothing short of a "Genius Innovation". But even Edison's lightbulb eventually got improved :cool:

So what say you all????

[Tlohm]

The Sharpmaker has both Diamond Rods for radical steel removal or reprofiling as well as some ultra fine white ceramic for a polished finish. You should contact the SFO for info on these additions to your Sharpmaker set. I think you will find that as usual Spyderco has addressed the issue.

[cobrajoe]

I probably would have one now if it had the coarse stones included in the package, and different angles the stones could be set at. Personally I'd rather have a more acute angle and sharpen it a little more than an angle that isn't quite so acute.

[bh49]

I would love to have optional base with 20/24 degrees angles.

[Zwaplat]

Coarse stones would be nice, diamond rods are seriously expensive.

[gunmike1]

The Sharpmaker has both Diamond Rods for radical steel removal or reprofiling as well as some ultra fine white ceramic for a polished finish. You should contact the SFO for info on these additions to your Sharpmaker set. I think you will find that as usual Spyderco has addressed the issue.

The Diamond rods work great for minor reprofiling, like bringing an edge to 15 degrees per side. However, it took 3 long and grueling hours to reprofile my ZDP Jess Horn flat to the stone (about 8 degrees per side) with the stones in the back of the base as a benchstone. I bought an extra coarse DMT benchstone for more radical work like that in the future. There is no contest, the DMT cuts much faster, but on minor reprofiling it isn't really necessary. I must say though, I am amazed that the Diamond rods didn't go smooth after that work on my Horn. They had already reprofiled several VG-10 and ATS 34 blades, and then that 3 hours of pounding on ZDP 189, and they still have great bite and cut well. You definately get a quality, long lasting product. Not to mention that they actually leave a pretty good working finish if you need a more coarse than usual finish, as my Horn could shave and push cut paper after several light passes at a slightly elevated angle. It retained it's edge great on cardboard with that finish, too (much better than the factory finish did).

[d.g.g]

I like the Sharpmaker. I wish Spyderco would come out with an upgraded sharpener for real knife knuts like the "Edge Pro" sharpener. It is much more sophisticated than the Sharpmaker (and more expensive too) but it can use many kinds of stones and even tapes to produce an awesome edge.

http://bronksknifeworks.com/Edge_Pro_Kn ... peners.htm

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/edgepro.html

A Spyderco strop/hone would also be nice to use once your are finished with the very fine rods. The strap/hone works great polishing the micro-bevel edge (usisng a little green chromium oxide on the leather) and knocks off any remaining burr.

But for the average knife owner the Sharpmaker will do everything required for owners of both plain and serrated edges.

[JD Spydo]

Great post there d.g.g. :) I agree with you that it would be great for Spyderco to come out with a high end unit similar to the EDGE PRO. I don't have an EDGE PRO but a good friend of mine does and he swears by it. The principles of it are relatively simple.

I also think your suggestion of some kind of stroping system would be great as well. But again I would love to see the 204 Sharpmaker be considered for modifications. Like the one brother said about possibly having different degrees settings would be helpful as well for knives with thicker blades or different constructions.

This could be great for brainstorming. And I want Spyderco to realize that this is not a "complaint thread" at all. Quite the contrary>> we love the 204 Sharpmaker so it only makes good sense to seek to improve and/or update it.

The idea of the strop is one that sticks in my head. I have a homemade strop that really improves all of my sharp edges. Great input thus far guys :)

[Harry White]

i would like to see the holes in the base that determine the angles strengthened. my sharpmaker is less than a year old and i can feel a little bit of play in the rods -- they don't fit as snugly in the plastic holes as they first did. and extra course stones!

[JD Spydo]

i would like to see the holes in the base that determine the angles strengthened. my sharpmaker is less than a year old and i can feel a little bit of play in the rods -- they don't fit as snugly in the plastic holes as they first did. and extra course stones!

Harry that is funny that you mentioned that. I was just sharpening one of my fixed blade Temperance models yesterday and I noticed that the stones were flexing just a bit and it seemed like the base might not be as strong as it should have been.

But let's keep in mind that I normally use much more pressure with a fixed blade than I do with a blade out of a folder.

But that's the whole idea of this thread is to bring these topics up for discussion so that Spyderco will have something to go on. Again we want to help if we can. Great invention>> why not make it better if it can be

[Sleeping Robot]

Hi all, my first post here.

I've just ordered the diamond hones to go with my Sharpmaker (and let me tell you, it was hard to find anyplace that still had some in stock!).

I'm thinking about making some kind of companion storage unit for the Sharpmaker that would let me store the diamond hones with the others. So my most desired Sharpmaker modification would be for such a storage unit. If Spyderco sold one, and it also offered additional honing angles, that would be sweet. Maybe even some extra slots to hold the extra-fine hones - although I doubt that I will buy those. The white stones get things plenty sharp enough for me.

[JD Spydo]

Hi all, my first post here.

I've just ordered the diamond hones to go with my Sharpmaker (and let me tell you, it was hard to find anyplace that still had some in stock!).

I'm thinking about making some kind of companion storage unit for the Sharpmaker that would let me store the diamond hones with the others. So my most desired Sharpmaker modification would be for such a storage unit. If Spyderco sold one, and it also offered additional honing angles, that would be sweet. Maybe even some extra slots to hold the extra-fine hones - although I doubt that I will buy those. The white stones get things plenty sharp enough for me.

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum "SLEEPING ROBOT" :) Don't overlook the "ultra fine" stones you can get for the 204 Sharpmaker. They truly do pay a dividend in the overall sharpening process. Especially for premium steels like ZDP-189. I bought some big Zipper pouches at a knife show to store all of my additional stones.

I would like to see the unit be expanded and fortified. I would also like to see some kind of makeshift clamp in which you could affix the unit to a table or workbench. I would go for multiple angle slots. :spyder:

[gunmike1]

Hi all, my first post here.

So my most desired Sharpmaker modification would be for such a storage unit. If Spyderco sold one, and it also offered additional honing angles, that would be sweet. Maybe even some extra slots to hold the extra-fine hones - although I doubt that I will buy those. The white stones get things plenty sharp enough for me.

An extra base with thinner angles (say 20 and 25 degrees) that holds the diamond rods and ultrafines would be sweet! Right now I just have the diamond rods and ultra fines rubber banded together in my sharpening drawer. Having the additional angles along with the storage capability would kill 2 birds with 1 stone. My only worry would be some diamond particles falling on the ultrafines and scratching them up.

[Xplo]

Agreed.. an extra/optional base with more acute angles and room to store those diamond and UF rods would be awesome.

Regarding the flex issue, I've noticed it too.. wonder if Spyderco could make bases out of thicker plastic, or a stiffer material? I don't imagine weight or cost is much of an issue with the base.. no reason I can see why they couldn't shore it up a little.