New knife and SM question

[jugg2]

Hello all, I am on the verge of buying a ZDP Endura, then I started thinking that I ought to give a SE a try. But I would have to get a SM or a profile stone to sharpen the serations. So I have a few questions:

1 Do you have to worry about forming and removing a burr when sharpening serrations?

2 If I do form a burr how would I remove it?

3 How well do the corners of the SM stones sharpen the larger serrations?

4 What about the other non-scalloped side of the blade? Do I sharpen that side too?

5 Would you reccommend the profile stone or the SM +UF stones

I hope this isn't too stupid of a post, but I haven't read any answers to my specific questions, and they are really the ones I want answered before I buy a SM, or a SE blade. Thanks in advance for the replies!

[Piercieve]

From what I've read elsewhere, the Sharpmaker has NO problems dealing with serrations, and some have said it's even easier to get serrations hair-popping sharp than a PE blade. Can't really help ya with your other questions
:)

[BuffaloBill]

without checking the booklet that comes with it or the dvd i believe it tells you to either sharpen the other side like normal... or just run it down the non-scalloped sides a few times just to remove the burr. but i could be wrong but i'm pretty sure its covered in the dvd that comes with the sharpmaker.

[jugg2]

Do all Sharp Makers come with a DVD? It doesn't list it as a included item.

EDIT: Yes, it does list the DVD as an included item.

[JBE]

I'll answer them in order:

1. Yes, there will probably be a slight burr formed

2. Very light-pressure passes on the corners of the white stones on the side with the burr

3. They will sharpen very well if you maintain a relatively good angle and take your time - this will help maintain good contact between the edge and the stone. If you sharpen too fast the serrations can "skip" along the corners of the stones.

4. Yes. I use a 3:1 ratio when sharpening my SE blades. What that means is that I will make 3 passes on the front (scalloped) side of the blade then one single pass along the backside to remove the burr that has formed.

5. For SE you really do not need the UF stones. Get a thick leather shoe string, load it with polishing compound, then strop each scallop individually. The Profiles are excellent if you are comfortable sharpening each serration "free-handed" without the benefit of the Sharpmaker's pre-set angles.

Keep in mind these replies are based on my experiences from sharpening other Spyderco steels such as AUS-8, AUS-6, ATS-55, VG-10 and H1. I haven't messed with ZDP-189 yet.

[jugg2]

Thanks JBE! I have another question. When sharpening SE do you move the blade down and pull it toward you sharpening the whole blade in one swipe/pass? I was under the impression the you sharpened each scallop individually with the SM.

[JBE]

I'd recommend using the downwards-and-towards motion for sharpening a SE on the Sharpmaker.

[yablanowitz]

I alternate a downward pull stroke starting at the heel with a downward push stroke starting at the tip.This allows me to sharpen the very tip without worrying about rounding it off by dragging it off the corner of the stone, and it ensures that both sides of the scallops get sharpened equally. I usually do about five of each on the scalloped side and then one of each on the back side.

[jugg2]

Thanks for all the replies guys, sharpening a SE blade sounds easy enough. I will let yall know when I get it!

[rlw1979777]

Just be more careful,. Cause serrations tend to bite!