GERBER CERAMIC POCKET KNIFE SHARPENER ?

[Zed]

GERBER CERAMIC POCKET KNIFE SHARPENER ,Have seen a few of these cheap but are they worth buying, ive got a large wet stone but im still not the best at usuing it, although my small esquire was really sharp after a few minutes, so was thinking as a smaller carry sharpener, has anyone tried one, 

paul 

[sardauker]

I did.

Maybe it's my fault, but I can't get a great work done.
I'm afraid I was dulling my blade instead of sharpening it, but it's imposssible to use it with the wrong angle. I must try again to pacify my soul, when I'm prepared to take my favourite knife to a shop for qualified sharpening.

again: it seems easy to operate, but it's not "two strokes and the knife is sharp". I've found no great change in the "after", but I was too afraid to spoil the blade to use the sharpener extensively.

[Zed]

I did.

Maybe it's my fault, but I can't get a great work done.
I'm afraid I was dulling my blade instead of sharpening it, but it's imposssible to use it with the wrong angle. I must try again to pacify my soul, when I'm prepared to take my favourite knife to a shop for qualified sharpening.

again: it seems easy to operate, but it's not "two strokes and the knife is sharp". I've found no great change in the "after", but I was too afraid to spoil the blade to use the sharpener extensively.

yeah ive never tried one of these types of sharpeners simone , i just fancied a small sharpener for my bag, i have got a small standard type of stone but i find them to small, i need to practice i guess,

paul

[Tinnie]

In my opinion they are garbage!

Get a pocket stone I like Fallkniven DC3

[Gareth]

In my opinion they are garbage!

Get a pocket stone I like Fallkniven DC3

While I've not tried that one specifically I can only agree that in general these things aren't really worth your time. 

I'll modify Tinnie's advice slightly (I think the DC3 is just a little too small) and recommend a DC4.  As seen here at Heinnie's.

http://www.heinnie.com/c4d9az1023883/Accessories/Sharpeners/Fallkniven/Fallkniven-Sharpening-Whetstones/p-93-370-212-418/

Shop around though, you might be able to find a better price.

[Zed]

thanks guys, so sounds like not a great sharpener , and simone probably you cant get a good edge because its no good, ill see if i can pick up a DC4 as looks spot on, 

paul

[Gareth]

thanks guys, so sounds like not a great sharpener , and simone probably you cant get a good edge because its no good, ill see if i can pick up a DC4 as looks spot on, 

paul

Good choice I think.

There are several folks on here that are no doubt better at free hand sharpening that I am but a few things to keep in mind;

Try and hold a consistent angle all the way along the edge.

I only ever push the edge on the stone, don't be tempted to scrap the edge back and forward.

What you do to one side make sure you do to the other.  So if you make 10 passes on one, make 10 passes on the reverse.

If the knife is really dull and you need a course stone (or the diamond surface of the DC4) that's OK but only sharpen to the point where you can feel the cutting edge change.  With a rough stone it's going to feel very 'toothy'.  Do any more any you've just wasting metal.

Move onto a smoother stone (or the ceramic surface of the DC4) and do some more passes, as before make sure you do the same work to both sides.  Once the cutting edge feels much less 'toothy' you have (IMO) a workable edge.

If you want to get sharper then use a leather strop (old belt is perfect) but instead of pushing the edge forward you drag it back, just like you imagine old fashioned barbers doing.  The only this I'd say is to go quite a bit slower.

There are lots of different ways of freehand sharpening, and lots of different opinions as well, this is just the way that works best for me.

[Zed]

thanks guys, so sounds like not a great sharpener , and simone probably you cant get a good edge because its no good, ill see if i can pick up a DC4 as looks spot on, 

paul

Good choice I think.

There are several folks on here that are no doubt better at free hand sharpening that I am but a few things to keep in mind;

Try and hold a consistent angle all the way along the edge.

I only ever push the edge on the stone, don't be tempted to scrap the edge back and forward.

What you do to one side make sure you do to the other.  So if you make 10 passes on one, make 10 passes on the reverse.

If the knife is really dull and you need a course stone (or the diamond surface of the DC4) that's OK but only sharpen to the point where you can feel the cutting edge change.  With a rough stone it's going to feel very 'toothy'.  Do any more any you've just wasting metal.

Move onto a smoother stone (or the ceramic surface of the DC4) and do some more passes, as before make sure you do the same work to both sides.  Once the cutting edge feels much less 'toothy' you have (IMO) a workable edge.

If you want to get sharper then use a leather strop (old belt is perfect) but instead of pushing the edge forward you drag it back, just like you imagine old fashioned barbers doing.  The only this I'd say is to go quite a bit slower.

There are lots of different ways of freehand sharpening, and lots of different opinions as well, this is just the way that works best for me.

Thanks gareth for all this info, the leather way sounds interesting and have seen this in the movies with cutthroat razors,i have achieved some sharp edges on my wet stone but seems a slow process ,but then im no expert,ive followed a few youtube shows on sharpening that seemed to help, and with your list i should do a better edge 

paul   

[cerbera147]

I got one of these; Gatco Tri Seps Sharpener £9-95

I needed something that could handle the serrations in my Wave as well as the straight blade.
I have found it to be very useful; the rubber base ensures you sharpen at the correct angle also its triangular shape allows for small and large serrations. It's not going to beat an expert with a sharpening stone but handy to have in your bag 
http://www.heinnie.com/pjhoox390336/Accessories/Sharpeners/Gatco/Gatco-Sharpeners---Tri-Seps/p-93-370-209-409/

[Zed]

I got one of these; Gatco Tri Seps Sharpener £9-95

I needed something that could handle the serrations in my Wave as well as the straight blade.
I have found it to be very useful; the rubber base ensures you sharpen at the correct angle also its triangular shape allows for small and large serrations. It's not going to beat an expert with a sharpening stone but handy to have in your bag 
http://www.heinnie.com/pjhoox390336/Accessories/Sharpeners/Gatco/Gatco-Sharpeners---Tri-Seps/p-93-370-209-409/
(Image removed from quote.)

cheers again mate, yet another site saved to favorites 

paul

[Neil]

I've had one of those little Gerber jobs. 

Do not go there!  I've got a better edge off the bottom of a mug 

[Zed]

I've had one of those little Gerber jobs. 

Do not go there!  I've got a better edge off the bottom of a mug 

  fare enough neil 

[sardauker]

I stumbled on one of them while in Japan, priced around 4€... I had to give it a try.

[Benner]

I actually disagree with the others.

I think you should go buy one.  That way you can burn it and it would be one less POS to ruin someone elses blade. 

[AHB]

I actually disagree with the others.

I think you should go buy one.  That way you can burn it and it would be one less POS to ruin someone elses blade. 

Groupbuy..?    

[Benner]

If anyone has any doubts over these, I am happy to try and get some pics up of my medium Twistmaster that I stupidly used one of these on and ruined the edge with  (these are discontinued Carbon V blades).  That was before I knew any better.  The edge itself has been rescued, but the scrape along the edge is still visable.

[Zed]

If anyone has any doubts over these, I am happy to try and get some pics up of my medium Twistmaster that I stupidly used one of these on and ruined the edge with  (these are discontinued Carbon V blades).  That was before I knew any better.  The edge itself has been rescued, but the scrape along the edge is still visable.

yep im convinced 

[Benner]

My work here is done. 

[Neil]

I'm still feeling guilty for flogging mine for 20p at a car boot sale 

[Zed]

I'm still feeling guilty for flogging mine for 20p at a car boot sale 

benner your job is well and truly done 

i never feel guilty selling stuff at booty,s, but on this occasion   

[jzmtl]

They have their places, having one is better than nothing. I have a lansky version with carbide and ceramic, that I use to sharpen my utility knife on my work table. Since I cut everything from copper to lead solder with it the blade dulls quickly and sharpen it properly isn't worth it.

Wouldn't use it on any of my good knife if I can help it thou.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

If anyone has any doubts over these, I am happy to try and get some pics up of my medium Twistmaster that I stupidly used one of these on and ruined the edge with  (these are discontinued Carbon V blades).  That was before I knew any better.  The edge itself has been rescued, but the scrape along the edge is still visable.

Bloody heathen

[Craig]

I've got one somewhere. Never got anything really sharp with it.

[Benner]

If anyone has any doubts over these, I am happy to try and get some pics up of my medium Twistmaster that I stupidly used one of these on and ruined the edge with  (these are discontinued Carbon V blades).  That was before I knew any better.  The edge itself has been rescued, but the scrape along the edge is still visable.

Bloody heathen

I did say it was before I knew any better 

[John]

What they said about the DC4 but a good tip:once you have a good sharp ultra sharp edge just use a strop to maintain it but bear in mind you go opposite to when using a stone,also when using a stone lay the blade flat then tilt the blade forward so that just the cutting edge is touching the stone here endeth my poor sharpening tutorial 

[Gareth]

What they said about the DC4 but a good tip:once you have a good sharp ultra sharp edge just use a strop to maintain it but bear in mind you go opposite to when using a stone,also when using a stone lay the blade flat then tilt the blade forward so that just the cutting edge is touching the stone here endeth my poor sharpening tutorial 

That's a very good point in itself, if the knife is feeling a little dull go for a stop first, a lot of the time that's all you'll need. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

If anyone has any doubts over these, I am happy to try and get some pics up of my medium Twistmaster that I stupidly used one of these on and ruined the edge with  (these are discontinued Carbon V blades).  That was before I knew any better.  The edge itself has been rescued, but the scrape along the edge is still visable.

Bloody heathen

I did say it was before I knew any better 

No excuse

I demand you sent the Twistmaster to me for safe keeping

[Benner]

Erm 

No

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Erm 

No

Pretty please?

[Benner]

Hang on let me re-think 

No