Sharpmaker is the real deal!

[PatCatMan]

Well, I finally broke down and purchased a Sharpmaker.
I just couldn't get my Caly 3 CF ZDP hair shave sharp - I went all around from buying it - the Smith's 3 in 1 - ceramic crocs - diamond flat stone - etc... spent money on everything but.

I just refused to believe the hype and couldn't pull the trigger on the sharpmaker until I decided that I didn't want to carry the Caly with a half-a** edge anymore.

Got it today and I can now shave hair with it! Happy Day!
Even cleaned up the flake from the diamond.
It's the real deal and super easy - even my knives I thought were tacky sharp are better. My VG-10 is super sticky now!

Getting ready to pop for the ultra fine tri-rods - any words or suggestions?

Thanks for your replies.
Pat

[chuck_roxas45]

Getting ready to pop for the ultra fine tri-rods - any words oor suggestions?

Get the UF rods, keep practicing, watch the vid a few more times. You'll soon be able to split hairs.

Oh and welcome to the forums and congratulations.

[Evil D]

I still haven't got one but i want one just to use for touch ups and kitchen knives. I still prefer a clamp/guide system for reprofiling. The day Spyderco comes up with a clamp system, i'll buy 2.

[Uncle J]

What good is a knife without a good sharpening system? Good choice!!!

[PatCatMan]

High dollar staple remover - or how about an expensive letter "ripper" opener.
haha

[Uncle J]

Lol

[.357 mag]

I still haven't got one but i want one just to use for touch ups and kitchen knives. I still prefer a clamp/guide system for reprofiling. The day Spyderco comes up with a clamp system, i'll buy 2.

Same here. Love my EP! Want the sharpmaker for everyday cleanup.

[chuck_roxas45]

Same here. Love my EP! Want the sharpmaker for everyday cleanup.

EP+SM=Dream Team :D

[Tdog]

I find the diamond edge rods are much needed for the Sharpmaker. Attempting to reprofile a blade or remove chips in a blade without these is difficult at best. There are many sharpening alternatives out there but for the money, the Sharpmaker works very well.

[SQSAR]

Congrats, and welcome aboard! The SM is some of the best money any knife maker can spend. And as far as bang for the buck, nothing beats it. Like Chuck, I use an EP and SM and I have nothing but praise for both systems. Looking forward, I'd say practice, practice, practice. If you think you are getting your knives sharp now, ,wait till you've had it a while. Just hope you don't get the sickness than many of us have for never being satisfied with how sharp you get your blades. Sharp = never sharp enough.

[chuck_roxas45]

...Sharp = never sharp enough.

It is my sickness too....

[razorsharp]

. Sharp = never sharp enough.

I hear you there. :p

Patcatman, once you get UF rods, you will be hungry for more sharpness, thats when yu will buy a strop and paste and be OCD like the rest of us :D :o

[MightySpydie]

Love the sharpmaker! Just got one a couple days ago and watched the DVD. I've always considered myself mediocre at sharpening with stones, but I managed to get shaving-sharp results on the blades I worked on. Can't wait to try some serrated edges on it.

[sal]

Hi Pat, Uncle J,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Thanx for the kind comments Pat, hope you enjoy our tool.

sal

[Donut]

Amazon can get you a pair of the UF stones for approximately $30 shipped.

[JD Spydo]

Get the UF rods, keep practicing, watch the vid a few more times. You'll soon be able to split hairs.

Oh and welcome to the forums and congratulations.

I agree with Chuck>> Definitely get the Ultra-Fine 204 Sharpmaker rods and also get the 204 Diamond stones if your budget permits. The entire kit has served me well and even today I've used it 3 times already.

Also I agree that you would be well advised to watch the video/DVD at least 2 to 3 more times after you've gotten the hang of it. Once you get the method down pat you can pick up some great tips off of the video that you may have overlooked the first time.

The only other improvements I wish Spyderco would consider for the 204 Sharpmaker would be to also add a set of super aggressive, extra coarse stones for more rapid reprofiling and also figure out a way to implement some type of strop attachment as well. Now I've gotten around those last 2 by just getting sharpening tools from other vendors that fit my needs but it would be great if Spyderco would refine the kit more.

Great to have you aboard :) and keep us posted with your results and questions. JD :spyder: O

[BAL]

Welcome PatCatMan, Congrats on the SM. Like others have said the ultra fine and diamond stones are almost requirements with the SM. The diamonds can rework an older knife or one that gets too dull on you. I still watch the video every once in a while as a recap. In my opinion you should clean the stones after each use. I use regular dish soap on a rag and\or one of those little green pads. I also use a bit of comet to get the tougher stuff off, simply dry with a paper towel or your shirt. If your wife is watching, I would recommend the paper towel.

[skatenut]

Welcome to the forum, PatCatMan!

Sounds like you are another Sharpmaker convert, congrats. Suggest you buy the diamond rods for serious reprofiling and the Ultra Fine rods for superior sharpness. Watch the DVD several times, practice makes perfect. :) There is a lot you can learn here, and not only about sharpening.

[dbcad]

It is my sickness too....

I'm with you guys too

Welcome Pat and congrats. The more you use the SM, the better you'll feel yourself get. Second what others have said about rewatching that delightfully retro video :)

[jackknifeh]

What good is a knife without a good sharpening system? Good choice!!!

"Good" sharpening system is the key word. The inexpensive knives I used most of my life were sharpenable with my old Arkansas stones (which aren't bad). But with the better (harder) steels you need a quality sharpening set of tools. Spyderco doesn't make anything that isn't high quality IMO. Even their less expensive value knives or Byrds are better quality than what I used until about 6 years ago. Great choice on the Sharpmaker. The only thing worse than having a quality knife that isn't sharp is knowing it's potential and not having the tools to achieve it. I agree with whoever says you need the diamond and ultra-fine rods. Then you will have the full gamet of sharpening from re-profiling to light touch-ups.

Jack