Speedy Sharp???

[getpower]

How's it goin guys?

I have been reading a lot about this product that I just came
upon on a forum (not sure if it was this one, but if it was, sorry to the OP).

The product is called the Speedy Sharp. For anyone who doesent know what the tool looks like, it's basically a piece of steel about 5" long with a rubber handle on it that leaves about 3/4" of metal exposed, and on that exposed metal there is a carbide tip that is the lenght of the exposed metal.

So, what I was wondering is 1) have you guys ever heard of this tool or do you have one? 2) what are your opinions on this tool (for those who have them) and 3) are there certain techniques to using this thing that puts a decent edge on a knife?

The reason that I am asking is because I realized after finding the thread that I have had one for about nine years now and I was able to find it. I carried it around today, but never got to use it, which may be a good thing because I know it takes a whole lot of metal off if you need for it to.

So, now time for some apologies: one for the possible spelling/grammar errors, because I am typing this all on my iPhone, and two for the possability that this may be the wrong place to have posted this quesion, however, it seemed fit at the time.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've never heard of it, but I wouldn't be getting one as I hate carbide type sharpeners

[Mike 56]

I have own one for years you hone and sharpen with it. As a sharpener i don't care for them they are a bit aggressive and tend to tear medal. As a hone they work well for touch ups and straighting edges. They also do a good job on sharping cheap serrated knifes and as a striker for ferro rods.

Mike

[jzmtl]

I have a very similar one. It removes a lot of metal and leave a ragged edge that doesn't last long. I'd never let it touch my good knives, but it works fast on things you don't care too much for, i.e. utility knife, hatchet etc.

[Benner]

As a general rule, anything with "speed" with regards to sharpening usually means "a lot of metal is removed leaving a naff edge". 

For junkers, go ahead, but I wouldn't use it on anything I have.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Pretty much identical to the Corona garden tool sharpener. Makes a great firesteel scraper...you can steel an edge but trailing the carbide bit on the blade with little or no metal removal. Used with the bit angled forward will remove metal and coarse sharpen the blade.

Speedy Sharp instructions