Spyderco Forums

I imagine many on this forum use a Sharpmaker.

But is that all? Do you use something else* as well as the Sharpmaker? If so, what and why?

Do you find you use the SM as a part of a wider sharpening routine, have you 'outgrown' the SM, or has the SM meant you stopped using other sharpening systems?

*For the sake of argument, I'm including the Diamond/CBN and the Ultra Fine stones for the SM in the 'something else' group.

I bought a KME system for setting a good symmetric edge but i maintain it with the S.M.

Larry_Mott wrote:I bought a KME system for setting a good symmetric edge but i maintain it with the S.M.

Good plan. Do you use just the standard SM stones, or have you pimped it out with the Ultras?

I don't know a ton about sharpening, but I just ordered some dmt mini hones to try out. You get 3 continuous diamond surfaces in course, fine, and extra fine for under $20. Seems like a steal to maintain a good working ege on the high hrc super steels if you can maintain the appropriate angle.

I do all my reprofiling and edge repair with DMT diamond bench stones. I couldn't imagine using the sharpmaker for that, it'd take forever!

While I have a set of Norton bench stones, I mostly use an Edge Pro for heavy lifting and touch ups with the sharp maker.

I use my Edge Pro for knives that need re-profiled or have significant chips. (Usually brought to me by family or friends) Once fixed I give them the friendly "talk" about taking care of their knives. I use my Sharpmaker for routine maintenance and "fine tuning". Probably never "outgrow" the SM. Sort of relaxing, spending time keeping the edge. :spyder:

Edge Pro for reprofiling, Dremel for stropping serrations.

In order of importance:
Spyderco Benchstones (M,F,UF)
Spyderco 701 profiles (M,F)
Spyderco double-sided pocketstone
DMT benchstones
DMT aligner

Sm with cbn rods mostly. Recently got an edge pro but have not had the time to mess around with it yet.

I used a Sharpmaker exclusively for a long time. I was basically just using it to touch up the knives I had using the 20° side. Not long ago I bought some Moldmaster stones that I clipped to the SM rods. Those greatly increased the functionality of the SM for me. I was even able to reprofile with them but it was still a lot of work. So a couple months ago I bought a Hapstone V7 to do the heavy work and polish bevels. I still use the SM for touch ups and adding a microbevel after reprofiling.

Unless it’s serrated or a recurve I do everything on sandpaper on a granite tile. I have wet/dry sandpaper from 100 grit to 5000 grit.

I’ve got dozens of stones and hone steels and I am fairly proficient at sharpening by hand. Once I bought an Edge Pro, added diamond stones and 2300 & 4000 grit wet stones, it is mostly what I use now. Never owned a sharpmaker, but have used one - works well.

David

Almost all my carry folders and kitchen knives are PE and I sharpen them freehand with DMT diamond whetstones. I do own a Sharpmaker, but only ever use it to sharpen serrated blades, mostly a K05 Utility.

I like to set and refine a primary bevel a few degrees below 30, or a few degrees below 40, and do periodic touchup on the microbevel with the Sharpmaker. I like using an Edge Pro clone for that first step.

Sharp Guy wrote:a couple months ago I bought a Hapstone V7

Why did you choose HApstone over EdgePro?

WE sport&field for reprofiling
Sharpmaker for maintaining microbevel

Snorky wrote:

Larry_Mott wrote:I bought a KME system for setting a good symmetric edge but i maintain it with the S.M.

Good plan. Do you use just the standard SM stones, or have you pimped it out with the Ultras?

Just the standard kit. Although I have a strop too with "Smurf poo" compound on the flesh side. :)

bh49 wrote:Why did you choose HApstone over EdgePro?

I like the upgrades the Hapstone offers over the EP. I really like that I can use a wide variety of stones.

I have a SharpMaker as well as Diamond and UF rods and I probably don't use it as often as I should. :rolleyes:

I have a few Lansky's I haven't used in a while as well and a Hapstone Pro I use to set bevels and I generally maintain edges with simple leather and sometimes balsa wood strops. :)