I am trying to get my knife as sharp as I can. Has anyone tried to modify the Sharpmaker for a steeper angle. I rubber banded two stones together in the 30 angel slots. The angle is much steeper but it is slow going because I don't have the diamond stones. How can I get a steeper edge angle?
Suppressors Spyderco Sharpmaker modification
- Thread starter Nosler243Shooter
- Start date
Re: Spyderco Sharpmaker modification
The 30 degree slots provide a "scary sharp" edge... Any sharper and the edge will get dull very very fast. The 40 degree provides the utility edge for most chores. Is the blade you are sharpening not attaining this sharpness? If that is the case, some common mistakes are that you are actually hitting the shoulder of the blade and not the actual edge itself. Case in point, I had to sharpen my Gerber with the 30 degree slot for hours until I took the shoulder down enough to actually get to the edge (wish I had the diamond stones for a faster shoulder grind). To test; take a sharpie and color the edge of the blade with it and see if while you are sharpening that the marker comes off. Also keep in mind without the diamond stones any nicks and dings take a long time to take out. The medium (brown) stones also require cleaning occasionally to refresh it.
These are just a few tips that I can give you from my own experience.
The 30 degree slots provide a "scary sharp" edge... Any sharper and the edge will get dull very very fast. The 40 degree provides the utility edge for most chores. Is the blade you are sharpening not attaining this sharpness? If that is the case, some common mistakes are that you are actually hitting the shoulder of the blade and not the actual edge itself. Case in point, I had to sharpen my Gerber with the 30 degree slot for hours until I took the shoulder down enough to actually get to the edge (wish I had the diamond stones for a faster shoulder grind). To test; take a sharpie and color the edge of the blade with it and see if while you are sharpening that the marker comes off. Also keep in mind without the diamond stones any nicks and dings take a long time to take out. The medium (brown) stones also require cleaning occasionally to refresh it.
These are just a few tips that I can give you from my own experience.
Re: Spyderco Sharpmaker modification
I mostly sharpen with the 40 degree angle but sometimes I use the 30 and I have even used the 12.5 degree angle made for scissors on my knifes. The 12.5 degree works well but takes a very long time since I am only using one stone and have to turn it back and forth for each stroke. I saw a video on Youtube where a guy has a knife so sharp he can split a hair. I know the edge will be very fragile but I wanted to see if this could be done with the Sharpmaker. The edge probably needs to be somewhere around 10 degrees per side to do this. Here is a link to the video.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/user/SolosKnifeReviews#p/search/6/4SvWabXMfcs"]http://www.youtube.com/user/SolosKnifeReviews#p/search/6/4SvWabXMfcs[/url]
I mostly sharpen with the 40 degree angle but sometimes I use the 30 and I have even used the 12.5 degree angle made for scissors on my knifes. The 12.5 degree works well but takes a very long time since I am only using one stone and have to turn it back and forth for each stroke. I saw a video on Youtube where a guy has a knife so sharp he can split a hair. I know the edge will be very fragile but I wanted to see if this could be done with the Sharpmaker. The edge probably needs to be somewhere around 10 degrees per side to do this. Here is a link to the video.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/user/SolosKnifeReviews#p/search/6/4SvWabXMfcs"]http://www.youtube.com/user/SolosKnifeReviews#p/search/6/4SvWabXMfcs[/url]
Re: Spyderco Sharpmaker modification
If you have a very thick blade it just isn't enough angle.
I struggled to get a Strider SA get to even cut paper. I finally got around to getting a http://www.edgeproinc.com/
One other thought - if you have a Spyderco and struggle with maintaining vertical - get a little short bubble level and place it on the spine while your working.
A great stropping effort really makes a difference.
Good luck
If you have a very thick blade it just isn't enough angle.
I struggled to get a Strider SA get to even cut paper. I finally got around to getting a http://www.edgeproinc.com/
One other thought - if you have a Spyderco and struggle with maintaining vertical - get a little short bubble level and place it on the spine while your working.
A great stropping effort really makes a difference.
Good luck
Re: Spyderco Sharpmaker modification
Thanks for the replies. I tried the bubble level and as it turns out I am not quite as good at holding the knife strait as I thought I was.
Thanks for the replies. I tried the bubble level and as it turns out I am not quite as good at holding the knife strait as I thought I was.
