First Sharpener

[redyps04]

Although I've been carrying Spyderco's for a while now, I've always managed to get by without a sharpener. I usually just take my knives down to the local knife shop and have them sharpen them for a dollar. But since the last time I brought them in they botched the edge on my D4, I figured it's about time for me to get my own.

So I was wondering what sharpener you guys would recommend for a beginner who knows nothing about sharpening. I've looked a little bit into the Shapmaker and the benchstones but am still a little confused about which one to get. I recently read Spyderco is supposed to be coming out with a ceramic version of the Duckfoot and I was wondering if I should maybe just wait for that?

So what do you recommend and why? I've got some pretty varying blades ranging from a PE Cricket to a straight combo edge if that helps. Thanks in advance.

[farmerjohn]

Since things like recurves or serrations are next to impossible to be sharpened on a benchstone i would buy a Sharpmaker, at least as a starter. (You can always add benchstones later on for your plain edge blades.)
Very easy to use, and you get great results with it.

If you have very blunt knifes or plan to reproflie edges though, you should consider buying the diamond stones as well. (In the standard configuration the Sharpmaker is more like a "Sharpkeeper" )

And the advantage over the Duckfoot is that it offers two grits (leading to a sharper edge, the Duckfoot is even more coarse than the brown stones on the Sharpmaker), and it's easier to use.
The Duckfoot is great though for restoring a utility edge on the go.

[hickster]

Hands down, the Sharpmaker will be your best bet. If you do your part (which is very easy with the Sharpmaker, just follow the instructions) it will put consistently sharp edges on almost any knife. Serrations, hawkbills? No problem! It will maintain edges on very hard exotic steels (S90V, ZDP-189, etc.) as well. I also have a set of 3x8 course and fine DMT diamond plates for tough cases (chips and re-profiling) but the Sharpmaker is the tool for sharpening in my house. Careful shopping can net you one for about $50 and may be the best use of a Grant you'll find!
hickster

[ChapmanPreferred]

The sharpmaker uses the same concept as a bench stone, but it holds the angle for you so all you have to do is hold the blade straight up and down like you were going to slice down through a tomato. Great tool! If you can swing it, get the diamond stones as well because they speed up the process.

[Seanski]

I bought a sharpmaker a few months ago and love it. If you buy one I don't think you will ever regret it. It makes sharpening a blade easy and get this...fun! Serrations, plain edge, recurve or other I cannot think of an edge it will not get hair popping sharp.

Sean

[christopher]

The SharpMaker without a doubt. I use one weekly to touch up my edc (whichever I've used that week.) As is true with any type of sharpener, practice makes perfect, but it's easier on the SharpMaker.

Chris :) :) :)

[DeltaWhiskey]

The Sharpmaker was my first and is my only sharpener...

I have not had the need for any other.

Quick learning curve...just watch the video that comes with.

[phaust]

I picked up a Lansky 3-hone sharpener at a gun and knife show awhile back (http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-3-Hone-Sha ... 323&sr=1-3). I'm also a newbie when it comes to sharpening, so I like it because the sharpeners attach to guide rods that you put through guide holes at predefined angles on the knife clamp. That way I know what angle I'm sharpening it to, and that I'm keeping the angle strict throughout the blade. There are only four angles though--30, 25, 20, and 17--so you don't have as much choice as a regular sharpener, though. But it gets my Spydercos sharp enough to shave off arm hair, slice paper with basically no force, etc.

edit: I forgot to mention there's a version with a fourth grindstone for serrations too.

[ghostrider]

I'm thinking I might start a thread about the topic of sharpening, and my experience.

For you, "Get the Sharpmaker."

Chances are that you may need to reprofile your blades, and you'll need diamonds for that since the gray and white rods are not coarse enough for that task.

The Duckfoot looks like a good idea, but I've never seen one in person, so...

The soon to be released Golden Stone is a great idea, but understand that it is a fine grit, which means it's good for putting a polish on an already sharp (read shaving) edge. If your edge isn't already shaving sharp, then chances are the Golden Stone won't help much, and will take some time to help at all. The gray rods on the Sharpmaker are enough for anyone to get their knives shaving sharp. Many don't even use the whites because they want a more aggressive edge on their knife. That Golden Stone would be great for maintaining a polished razor edge, but understand that you won't be using it to make a dull knife sharp. It's for knives that are already sharp IMHO and experience.

The Duckfoot OTOH looks like a nice piece. It even comes with a leather pouch that could be used as a strop in a pinch.

I own both the Lansky (4-hone kit), and the Sharpmaker (along with diamond, and ultra fine rods), as well as many other sharpening tools. I've also created some of my own solutions for putting edges on a knife (If necessity is the mother of invention, and desperation is it's father).

I've found that while the Lansky does a great job of putting a very nice edge on a knife (especially if you have the 4-hone kit, and the blue sapphire hone), the problem is that there is little chance you can clamp the knife so that you'll be able to achieve the same angle every time. It also is more of a hassle and time consuming. I remember spending hours going through each hone to get a good edge. With the Sharpmaker I can just set it up quickly, and touch up my knife when necessary, while I would wait until it got more dull before I'd use the Lansky. It's a difference of my knives being occasionally sharp, as opposed to being always sharp.

The main advantage with the Lansky is that it's cheaper (you get up to four grits, and can even purchase diamond hones for far less than the Spyderco products) than the SHarpmaker. The advantage with the Sharpmaker is that it's easier to set up (translates to you keeping it sharp more often, which in turn translates to less need to re profile the bevel), and it's easier to maintain a consistent angle. OTOH, the Lansky is better if you want to re bevel the edge. You can get the diamond rods, but my experience is that the diamond hone on the Lansky did a better job of removing steel (I've since graduated to other things. Need to write that article for a new thread.)

Many people who have the Sharpmaker started out with the Lansky, and many of them stopped using the Lansky after getting the Sharpmaker.

[redyps04]

Well, I guess the overwhelming majority screams for the Sharpmaker, so that's what I'll go with. Thanks a lot guys for all the advice/comments.

I'm thinking I might start a thread about the topic of sharpening, and my experience.

Ghostrider, I think that's a great idea. There's surprisingly little about this topic and I'm sure a lot of other people would like to hear more about sharpeners and techniques, etc.

[angusW]

Many people who have the Sharpmaker started out with the Lansky, and many of them stopped using the Lansky after getting the Sharpmaker.

I'm one of those people and that's exactly what I did. The Lansky seemed like a good idea at the time, and it is, but once you get use to the SharpMaker you really start to enjoy sharpening knives. You then start going to other people's homes with your SharpMaker and start sharpening their knives until it gets to the point when I phone someone, the first thing they say is "Yes, you can sharpen my knives" :D

[Sammax]

redyps04 ,

I am glad you asked this question cause I am in the same situation.

And for the rest of you,..."SOLD!"
Serioulsy, thanks all!

[redyps04]

Glad I could help. I knew it couldn't be just me with all these questions.

[obsessis]

I just bought a sharpmaker and one of the rods has a defect. I am in the middle of contacting customer service about it now, I am hoping I can send them a picture of it and have them send me a new one. There is a bulge coming out in the groove section used for darts and hooks. It looks like something popped during the heating of the ceramic.

I know Sal comes here, if you read this please email me! I am having a bit of trouble with customer service.

[ghostrider]

I just bought a sharpmaker and one of the rods has a defect. I am in the middle of contacting customer service about it now, I am hoping I can send them a picture of it and have them send me a new one. There is a bulge coming out in the groove section used for darts and hooks. It looks like something popped during the heating of the ceramic.

I know Sal comes here, if you read this please email me! I am having a bit of trouble with customer service.

People have already chimed in on the thread you started about this. Like they said, you have a defective piece of kit, and need to let Spyderco take care of it. Be patient with them, because they don't always get back to you right away. However, I am confident they will take care of you.

Welcome to the forum, and I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal. I know it's frustrating when you get something new that seems to be all the buzz, only to be let down by something like this. All I can say is, "Hang in there, I'm sure it will get sorted out. " When it does get sorted out, be sure to post about your positive experience.

[Scottie3000]

I cant say enough good things about the sharpmaker! I tried it with my ZDP Endura (which i thought it would do poorly since it wasn't diamond) and it was FANTASTIC for a touch up with the 40 degree angle! I can't wait to get diamond and ultra fine rods!

[CanisMajor]

I just received my Sharpmaker and sharpening a knife is a breeze. It is so easy to get a perfect, razor sharp edge on any blade. Highly recommended.

Canis

[bh49]

I also will recommend sharpmaker. I use it for more than three years for all my sharpening needs and love. I have regular set, UF stones. I do not have diamonds, I use congress stones instead for reprofiling and repair.

[Cave Dave]

I also found the sharpmaker easier to use and more effective than a 5 stone lansky, so I sold off the lansky.

One of the sharpmaker white stones had a chip in it on a corner when brand new. I sharpend around that one corner for years and finally got around to buying a new replacement white rod and it also had several defects on one of the corner edges. If you ran your finger along that one edge you can feel ripples that are impossible hard to see until you get some metal into the edge.

So when you get one I recommend running your finger over all the corners of all rods to make sure they are even.

[Sammax]

I got my Sharpmaker today. First victim was a big Henkel kitchen knife about as sharp as a hammer. It's NOT an expensive Henkel- blade says 15551-200. Worked great.

Second was a Kershaw model 1620. Also very dull. Definatley sharper now, however, not as sharp as I would like. (Not gonna sharpen any of my good knives till I get good)

I saw on a Youtube video someone said the Spyderco knives came with a 30 degree edge. Is that true? Cause I think in the Sharpmaker video seems 40 degrees seems to be what Sal favors.

So if I want to get a knife sharper, what stones (specifically) for the Sharpmaker do I need to get? Cause I would imagine I can only get a knife so sharp with my current stock Sharpmaker setup right?