Spyderco Forums

Who uses just the flats to sharpen with and is there any advantage?

I mostly use only the flats to touch up. I use the corners only when I get a duller knife. Some of my corners have chips and I have to work around them.

chuck_roxas45 wrote:I mostly use only the flats to touch up. I use the corners only when I get a duller knife. Some of my corners have chips and I have to work around them.

Well, I am opposite :rolleyes: .

wec12 wrote:Well, I am opposite :rolleyes: .

Ok, no problem if that's what you like but why the roll eyes at my post?

Thanks for the input.Keep them coming.

I use the flats for almost everything. The corners only get used for serrated edges.

chuck_roxas45 wrote:I mostly use only the flats to touch up. I use the corners only when I get a duller knife. Some of my corners have chips and I have to work around them.

Chuck,

You mentioned before that you use EP for reprofiling and big jobs. How do you match angles on EP and sharpmaker, especially foe FFG blades?

bh49 wrote:Chuck,

You mentioned before that you use EP for reprofiling and big jobs. How do you match angles on EP and sharpmaker, especially foe FFG blades?

Hey Roman, I just go for a slightly lower angle and just microbevel on the SM. I usually have a 36/40 edge on my knives. I find that with a slightly lower back bevel, that touch ups tend to be easier even with the harder, more wear resistant steels.

Chuck,
Thank you. Just thinking about getting something faster than sharpmaker for reprofiling and repair. Probably this need to be discussed in different thread.
Thanks again
Roman

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Ok, no problem if that's what you like but why the roll eyes at my post?

No "at" your post, chuck. I was thinking why I don't follow standard procedure (corner, flat, corner, flat). Calm down, chuck :D .

PS. Meant to let you know I enjoy your pictures (nice angles).

wec12 wrote:No "at" your post, chuck. I was thinking why I don't follow standard procedure (corner, flat, corner, flat). Calm down, chuck :D .

PS. Meant to let you know I enjoy your pictures (nice angles).

Oohh but I am calm, I was just wondering. Thanks for the clarification. :rolleyes:

I use the flat sides of the Spyderco Triangle Stones not only as a follow on to the corners, but also to sharpen the tip portion of the blade.

When I'm using the corners, I stop the blade before it reaches the tip so as to keep it from slipping off the stone and rounding off the tip. With the flat sides, I can draw the blade all the way to the tip to ensure that area is as sharp as the rest of the edge.

I would watch the Spyderco video and follow the method presented by the man who invented the tool. He recommends using both the corners and flats.

Contrary to the instructions, I mostly use the flats when I'm using the Sharpmaker on plain edge knives. I mainly reserve the corners for serrated knives.

(I also freehand on waterstones. :eek: )

I have trouble keeping the blade fully flat on the flat sides so I use the corners for now (still practicing). Mike

sonictek wrote:I have trouble keeping the blade fully flat on the flat sides so I use the corners for now (still practicing). Mike

It helps to stand so you can look down at the SM from above as you sharpen. Then you can easily see when it's flat against the rod and when it's not.

sonictek wrote:I have trouble keeping the blade fully flat on the flat sides so I use the corners for now (still practicing). Mike

In my experience, it's impossible to hit the entire span of the flats unless you're working with a wharncliffe blade. I aim to create thin lines down the middle of the rods.

dsmegst wrote:... I aim to create thin lines down the middle of the rods.

Yeh, this for me too.

I almost use the flats on all of my sharpening.

flats take more metal off due to the bigger surface area