Sharpeners

[RancidSumo]

I have decided it is time to learn how to sharpen at least enough for touch-ups. I have a fine grit Smiths Arkansas stone and I just used it to put an edge back on my Buck folder. It will now shave hair and it couldn't do that fresh out of the box. I tried to fix my Emerson but couldn't get the chips out so it will be sent off to get fixed. Now I need to get a sharpening system. I need some advice from you experienced types on what to get. Should I get several stones (medium, fine, ultra-fine) or should I get the Spyderco Sharpmaker? I am more than open to other suggestions since I know very little about them. Thanks in advance.

 

[hso]

Sharpmaker

Gatco

stones

Edge Pro

There are advocates of each

 

[CWL]

Spydie Sharpmaker. It'll sharpen anything you've got and is great for beginners and longtime knife sharpeners.

From the Sharpmaker, you can expand with other systems if you want to, or you may discover that's all you need.

 

[Valkman]

I like the Sharpmaker but just know that if your knife is not a 40 degree bevel you will have to reprofile it using the provided stones to make it 40 degrees. There are also diamond stones available.

Regular stones are versatile in that you can sharpen any angle you want - but learning to do so can take some time. It's an art!

Probably the best and most versatile is an Edge Pro type system, but they cost much more than the first 2.

 

[crzoomb]

My father taught me 31 years ago that finding the correct angle is easy,maintaining it across the stone was not.

To "find" the correct angle you need to oil the stone towards one end of the it then take the knife and rotate the blade down onto the stone.There will be a point when the cutting edge is parallel to the stone,you will know this is because the oil will be forced out from between the stone and the cutting edge.You really have to get your face in there to see it sometimes though.

It does take practice,start slow.There will come a point when you just know the knife you are sharpening.

 

[bikerdoc]

Got addicted to sharpening after reading posts by the tourist and sm. started on some inexpensive knives using course, medium, fine, extra fine, stones, a strop, and mothers polish and cardboard, very frustrating at first, but when get the hang of it, WOW, what an edge. Bought a Lansky sharpening system, its just OK, I perfer free hand. search sharpening and watch your head explode *lol*