Spydero Sharpmaker question

[David Bowen]

I have a (204?) Sharpmaker on it's way to me and I want to know if I need to get the diamond rods too. How likely is it that I will need them on a regular basis? They are just used for reprofiling edges right? So I should only need them if I want to change the angle on a blade or fix a major chip or anything, is that right? How many of you folks have Sharpmakers and don't have a need for the diamond hone. I am just trying to figure all this out cause I have the money to buy stuff now and I am doing it now cause it may be a while again before I have the chance.

[Neil]

I have a (204?) Sharpmaker on it's way to me and I want to know if I need to get the diamond rods too. How likely is it that I will need them on a regular basis? They are just used for reprofiling edges right? So I should only need them if I want to change the angle on a blade or fix a major chip or anything, is that right? How many of you folks have Sharpmakers and don't have a need for the diamond hone. I am just trying to figure all this out cause I have the money to buy stuff now and I am doing it now cause it may be a while again before I have the chance.

I have the diamond rods but only because the right deal came along   No they're not essential but I am glad I've got them. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I have a (204?) Sharpmaker on it's way to me and I want to know if I need to get the diamond rods too. How likely is it that I will need them on a regular basis? They are just used for reprofiling edges right? So I should only need them if I want to change the angle on a blade or fix a major chip or anything, is that right? How many of you folks have Sharpmakers and don't have a need for the diamond hone. I am just trying to figure all this out cause I have the money to buy stuff now and I am doing it now cause it may be a while again before I have the chance.

I have the diamond rods but only because the right deal came along   No they're not essential but I am glad I've got them. 

Same here

[Sean]

I just purchased the standard Sharpmaker without the Diamond stones.  I am not really
in need of them I don't think.  It should do a good job for you in putting the edge back
on your knives.  Needing a new bevel though on some of mine I got from Ebay I had to
go to my Lansky.

[David Bowen]

I can get the diamond rods for $50 and I don't think they will be essential. Are the medium stones pretty aggressive? As long as a don't let any "friends" borrow my blades and put chips in the edges I don't think I will need diamond stones. I have been using a ceramic crock system I got at the local hardware store which uses round rods. I am really curious how much sharper my knives might be with Spyderco's system, I am told it's the best in the business.

[jzmtl]

Medium is about 800, fine is about 1200. They are good for touch up but not fix an edge. However you can just lean any stone (not too heavy) against the rod and use them that way if the rods aren't aggressive enough. I've reprofiled 10 or 20 knives this way and never used diamond rod.

[Sean]

I agree with Jz.  I also agree that it's a great system.  It just makes so much easier to be accurate, at
least it does for me.  I don't have to concentrate as hard as I did free-handing on a flat stone.

[Swiss Man]

I have been wondering about the Sharpmaker (never seen one in real life).

Can't sharpen by hand worth a spit so I use "cheaters"

Used this Smith's 4 in 1 the other day at the local knife shop and OMG what a wonderful job.

When they tell you to be careful about too much pressure on the carbide cutters then believe them (it will peel the steel right off).

http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=47&cid=10

[Sean]

Hey you know if it gets the job done to your satisfaction and doesn't damage
the knife or edge it's probably a great accessory.

[Swiss Man]

Hey you know if it gets the job done to your satisfaction and doesn't damage
the knife or edge it's probably a great accessory.

It is very easy to work with and the angles are already preset I had the original version and it worked extremely well.

You figure with over a hundred years making sharpeners then they probably know what they are talking about.

http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=44&cid=10

This is the one that I carry in my AWOL bag.  works good for touch ups. 

[Benner]

The only issue with the SM is when you have to sharpen a really dull blade.  It takes an age to get a decent edge with the stones it comes with.

Basically, if you intend on buying lots of used stuff I'd personally think about the diamond rods.

[Sean]

The only issue with the SM is when you have to sharpen a really dull blade.  It takes an age to get a decent edge with the stones it comes with.

Basically, if you intend on buying lots of used stuff I'd personally think about the diamond rods.

Am I wrong in thinking that all Diamond stones and rods do is last longer?  I was under the impression
that all you really get with a Diamond coating is longevity?     Does it really cut better/quicker?

[Zack]

http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=48&cid=4

I have this one and as long as the knife isn't totally dull I can get hair splitting sharpness from any knife.  When I got my Sebenza it would pull hair, not shave.  Now, they jump off my arm, and I can split hairs after only 3 mins or so.  The rest of the kit isn't that great, but the rods work very well.

[Poncho65]

The only issue with the SM is when you have to sharpen a really dull blade.  It takes an age to get a decent edge with the stones it comes with.

Basically, if you intend on buying lots of used stuff I'd personally think about the diamond rods.

Am I wrong in thinking that all Diamond stones and rods do is last longer?  I was under the impression
that all you really get with a Diamond coating is longevity?     Does it really cut better/quicker?

You can get diamonds in any grit just about that you want but the diamond rods for the SM are the most coarse rods that the SM has

I don't have them either and would be willing to get some for the right price but I can get the result I want from the SM with even a dull blade But I do also have diamond bench stones and those are much quicker to get back to a workable edge mind you The SM is a great bit of kit and would recommend it to anyone who is starting out sharpening and also for those who have tried there hand at sharpening and have all but given up on sharpening I do have the Ultra fine rods that you buy separate of the SM and I can get an even more wicked edge with those BTW anyone know what grit they are as they are as slick as glass but do a marvelous job

[jzmtl]

The only issue with the SM is when you have to sharpen a really dull blade.  It takes an age to get a decent edge with the stones it comes with.

Basically, if you intend on buying lots of used stuff I'd personally think about the diamond rods.

Am I wrong in thinking that all Diamond stones and rods do is last longer?  I was under the impression
that all you really get with a Diamond coating is longevity?     Does it really cut better/quicker?

Duno about spyderco's rod but my experience with diamond stone is they don't last long just cut faster. My 180 grit is now smoother than 340 after reprofiling several knives.

[Poncho65]

The only issue with the SM is when you have to sharpen a really dull blade.  It takes an age to get a decent edge with the stones it comes with.

Basically, if you intend on buying lots of used stuff I'd personally think about the diamond rods.

Am I wrong in thinking that all Diamond stones and rods do is last longer?  I was under the impression
that all you really get with a Diamond coating is longevity?     Does it really cut better/quicker?

Duno about spyderco's rod but my experience with diamond stone is they don't last long just cut faster. My 180 grit is now smoother than 340 after reprofiling several knives.

I actually bought a cheapie extra extra course stone for that and it has lasted fairly well but yeah they do seem to wear much faster when reprofiling The rest of my diamond ones are the DMT ones and I really like them

[David Bowen]

Just wanted to add that the sharpmaker makes my Spirit's PB blade even sharper than it was when it was new 

[Zack]

Yes it does, and I have the scars to prove it.

[1jump2many]

When I'm at home and have the time I use this http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=33&cid=21  Usually on fixed blades.  It is super simple to use and works very well.  If I'm out and about and want to put a bit of an edge on dull knife I will use this http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=46&cid=10  I'm not a fan of serrated blades so I don't use the serrated sharpeners on either though.

[David Bowen]

Well it's been weeks since I have played with my Sharpmaker. I must say I have felt odd about using it, I mean I have still been using the same old crock system I had before and I don't know why I have not totally gone to the sharpmaker. Is it the familiarity of it? Anyways, I wanted to try it again cause for some reason last time I got a knife sharper on my old system than I did on the sharpmaker and I knew that it had to be something I was doing wrong. Well I still have my Buck Vantage Pro that a buddy at work ruined and I have never been able to fix the edge.....till now. With my crock sticks they are set at a 40 degree angle and I had an aha moment and thought, well the sharpmaker has a 30 degree back bevel thing, maybe the edge is too thick. So I went slow and went through the motions, it's now much sharper and performs much better. While it was out I also touched up some of my other folders and got sharpness on them I have only heard about  Seems with the sharpmaker it's all about speed, I am so use to slapping my knife blades against a crock stick and getting shaving sharp results I didn't think I was doing any wrong. With the sharpmaker I take my time and make sure the blade glides the full length and the tip never leaves the stones (to keep from getting a rounded tip). I think I am converted now, I am so glad I finally broke down and bought one of these things.

[furry]

I have now ordered a SM, mainly to reprofile a OH treker i filed to remove the serated edge (and because i'm a bit of a biff at this)

What angle do you use for SAKs?  I know (if i've got it right) that i could use a combination of 40 and 30 deg angle for a thicker blade, but not sure with a relatively thin blade.

Many thanks

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Just use the standard 40 degree's on sak blades mate

[David Bowen]

On a how it's made video found on youtube it says SAK's are so sharp cause they are thin and beveled at 30 degrees, so wouldn't we sharpen them at a 30?

[furry]

Cheers Mike

I'll let you know how i get on when it gets here

[jzmtl]

On a how it's made video found on youtube it says SAK's are so sharp cause they are thin and beveled at 30 degrees, so wouldn't we sharpen them at a 30?

You could, but the edge wouldn't last as long. And chances are you won't hit the edge at 30°, I've yet to see a SAK come with factory at or below 30°.

And you think your vantage is sharp, try reprofile to 20° then sharpen at 30°.

[David Bowen]

wanted to update this thread, I have since gotten a set of ultra fine rods for the sharpmaker and OMG! I thought the fine stones :did a great job but these make it like tree topping sharp. I truly believe on this sharpening system and I am surprised I waited as long as I did. If your looking for a really nice system that will achieve the sharpness you crave, the sharpmaker is it.

[Outback in Idaho]

Ran into a Case bone-handled knife last week that I could not get sharpened for 3 hours of working it. The knife was so badly abused there was no back bevel. Gave back to the kid and told him to use a cheap pull-through sharpener or a diamond rod.

Told him to get his dad a new knife as it would take away too much metal to get an edge back on the thing. Now I have stones to wash again, grrr. Gawd these are dirty after that job. One blade was semi-sharp when I was done. Never met a knife I couldn't sharpen till that day. Swear the guy was cutting rocks with the knife! 

[prime77]

wanted to update this thread, I have since gotten a set of ultra fine rods for the sharpmaker and OMG! I thought the fine stones :did a great job but these make it like tree topping sharp. I truly believe on this sharpening system and I am surprised I waited as long as I did. If your looking for a really nice system that will achieve the sharpness you crave, the sharpmaker is it.

I love the UF Rods. Go from them to a really good strop or two and you'll be whittling hairs.

[David Bowen]

I have not tried stroping yet but I hear it takes things to a whole new level. I will look into it and see  where it gets me.

[Styerman]

Dave , I have the diamond rods - used once or twice . If the price is right fine , otherwise forget em .

Chris