Armory Sponsor
Posted: 8/14/2009 11:49:51 PM EDT
|
I'm looking for opinions of a good knife sharpening system for a couple of Boker Applegate Fairbairn knives recently acquired. Perchance does anyone have experience with the Spiderco? http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0032676512483a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=Spideco&sort=all&Go.y=10&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=11&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1 Input is most appreciated. |
|
I sort of prefer this system myself. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_514317&id=0006453514316a Also comes with the pedestal, which is nice, as it's normally another $10. |
| I know how to use a stone, I have a chefs choice. I hate to admit it, but the best edge I get is from an accusharp. That little hand held cheep thing you draw across your blade. You can get it at most any hardware store. It's fast, does a great job is lite and portable and might even make it into my BOB. It DOES take far more off your blade than other systems, but it sharpens so well, I don't have to use it all that often. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a spyderco sharpmaker. It's idiot proof and I have really enjoyed it Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile +1 I am looking at buying a Sharpmaker. I have been using a Lansky sharping kit. It has been pretty good so far but I am looking at the Sharpmaker because everything is in one base and I do not have to change out stones and the angel of my hand. |
|
I watched several youtube presentations on the Sharpmaker, and wonder if maintaining an absolutely straight downward stroke of the blade doesn't add in error possibilities. The Edgepro Apex, although several times the expense of the Sharpmaker, seems like exact blade angle in relationship to "stone" for maximum edge sharpness is built into the system, and operator errors are pretty much eliminated. |
|
Well, I've pretty much come to a decision. Although the Edgepro Apex might indeed be the better sharpener, I'm having difficulty "justifying" the expenditure given my needs and applications, when the Sharpmaker at roughly 1/3 the cost is held in so high regards by many. It's interesting the variance in cost from purveyors on the Sharpmakter: Cabela's at $69.95, Dick's Sport's at $59.95, and TheBladeShop at $48.00. Current thoughts are since I'd also like to acquire a Gerber Applegate Combat Folder in addition to the Sharpmaker, and with TheBladeshop having decent prices on both, ( with no additional shipping costs incurred ) I should entertain notions of placing an order with TheBladeshop. Perchance, has anyone experience with online ordering through TheBladeshop? Or otherwise, why I shouldn't acquire the Sharpmaker, or a Gerber Applegate Combat Folder? Once again, I appreciate the input and expertise. |
|
I've tried a lansky type clamp system from Smiths for years with average results. Then I got a Spyderco Sharpmaker and it took my knives to the next level and I've been fairly happy with the results. I can keep my knives in factory-like condition, although rebevelling a knife can take a LONG time even with the optional diamond rods.
A few days ago, I got some paper wheels for my bench grinder and now I can get my knives even sharper than with the Sharpmaker. It used to take me a few hours to rebevel and hone a single knife to what I wanted. By using the paper wheels, it takes me a few minutes to grind, deburr and hone a new edge. Deburring is much simpler and quicker too. I practiced on some cheap folders and a few kitchen knives and I can get fairly good results. I actually got one of my folders to cut like a razor blade. It looks ugly since I still haven't quite got the hang of the grinding wheel, but I got a hair popping edge. If I REALLY went slow and careful with the Sharpmaker and stropped on leather, I can get that kind of edge eventually. But with the paper wheels, I can get the same if not better results in less than a minute. And this is my first time trying them. Sharpmaker is a great system and It's probably the best manual sharpening system under $100. (You really want the diamond rods for any major work so consider that cost) I already have a bench grinder so buying the paper wheel system (under $50) was a great choice. Just the time it saves me is worth the money. And when you consider the kind of edge it gives you, it's a no brainer. I don't regret getting the sharpmaker. It's portable, easy to use and gives you a hell of an edge. But for about the same price, you can buy a bench grinder and the wheels. Think about that... 
|
|
I have a Spyderco Sharpsmaker. I think the Edge Pro is the absolute best. But for a lot less, the Spydreco is very good.
The edge pro allows you to sharpen any edge to any edge angle you want. The spyderco has only one edge angle and one relief angle. It is what it is. If your knife's edge is not the same as the Spyderco is set up for then you will need to change it. The stones that come with the Sharpsmaker kit are fairly fine. They will keep an edge sharp very easily, provided that edge is already set to the same angle that the Spyderco is set up for. But it will not work fast enough to be practical for changing existing edge geometry. If your current edge is at a blunter angle than the Spyderco is set up for or if your knife is really, really dull, then you will need to also buy the "Diamond Sharpsmaker Stones" for it to reset the edge angle. These stones cost almost as much as the basic kit - their list price is actually higher than the list price of the Spyderco kit. But the kit and the extra stones together are $91.23 on Amazon, and that is still much less than the cheapest Edge Pro kit. |
Armory Sponsor