Blade Linx

picker7769 · Master Blader Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 2714 Location: MO

Well I bought one of the Spydervco sharpening systems, based on CEO's recommendation that it'll get everything 'scary sharp'. But... after reading the data and watching the videotae that came with it, it does raise some questions...

I've been using the Lansky sharpening system for a long time, and on most knives it produces good results, but not 'shaving sharp'. Lansky maintains in their literature that the proper angle for sharpening 'axes, hatches and other heavy tools is 30 degrees. They say that the best angle for most knives' is 25 degrees, and recommend a 20 degree angle for fine kitchen knives and 17 degrees for razors.

Now along comes Spyderco. Their hones are set up at a 40 degree angle and recommend that for just about everything!

Before I go using this damn thing and changing the angle on all my blades, I'd like some more feedback - from CEO or anyone else who's used this thing and/or the Lansky, etc.

Opinions are like a$$h01e$ - everybody's got one - but I'm beginning to wonder if these companies just pick a sharpening angle by throwing dice. If not, what really IS the best angle for a 'scary sharp' edge??? Confused

Picker

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Blood_drinker · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:30 am Post subject:

Picker/ Frank -

One thing I never do is change the blade angle the
knife I happen to own comes with. For example - a Milano stiletto
is about 15-20%, keep it that way using the Spyderco system, what
make's the Sharpmaker so nouvel is the content of the sharpening
rods, if Spyderco didn't get into that with the literature / video it
should be on their website somewhere -

www.spyderco.com

The rods are two different grit high fired ceramic ( diamond one's
are offered as an option ). I generally keep it simple with a Gatco
tri seps "dog bone" like the Army uses ( I have graduated to diamond
from ceramic ) Once you get the "hang" of the Sharpmaker ( 204 )
you'll never go back Exclamation

Blood_drinker Twisted Evil

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butch · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:28 am Post subject:

Picker- I use a smiths tri hone sharpener and you have to hold the blade at the angle you want so naturaly my blade is at a differant angle everytime I sharpen my knive's. But they always come out shaving sharp.
I test it by shaving a little hair off my arm.Personaly I think people pay too much attention to blade angle detail.

Butch

Blood_drinker · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:43 am Post subject:

Butch -

Same here with the Gatco tri seps diamond hone - every
blade has an angle ( or "edge bevel" ) and should be sharpened
according to that angle only. The average PE Spyderco is about 30
degrees, the SE around 40 ( like on my ever faithful Cricket ) I just
find the Gatco ( at the $14.95 I paid for it at Remington Cutlery when
they went outta business ) a more versatile ( and portable ) tool.

Picker - speaking of tools, have you or shari seen the "light"
of Tool logic yet Question

PM me when you do ( thanx Irv Exclamation

)

Blood_drinker Twisted Evil

_________________
"If everyone's thinking the same thing, nobody's
thinking." - Proverb

picker7769 · Master Blader Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 2714 Location: MO

"what make's the Sharpmaker so nouvel is the content of the sharpening rods, if Spyderco didn't get into that with the literature / video it should be on their website somewhere - "

Yeah, they talk about the materials used for their hones.. the 'white' rods seem to just be the usual ceramic - the same as the 'crock stick' I use in the kitchen or the 'ultra-fine' stone that comes with the Lansky. I don't know if the others are going to be as good as a Lansky diamond hone or not, but I guess I'll soon find out.

The point is, with the Sharpmaker they give you two options only - 30 degrees or 40 degrees. And they only recon=mmend using the 30 degree for reshaping knives that have been ''sharpened too much'. More confusing $h1t (I should be surprised?) Anyway, unless I want to change the angles on various blades that have other angles, this thing will be virtually useless.

I had a bud (long gone now) who used to set up at all the knife shows and between selling his wares, he'd sharpen knives for customers. Even though Lansky calls for a finer angle, Bruce would warn you that he was going to change the angle on the blade to make it sharper and last longer. Then he'd sharpen it at 30 degrees. The first time he did this, I had my doubts, but the edge was always 'scary sharp' - you could easily shave hair on your arms or slice a piece of paper in half almost by waving the knife over it.. Shocked

The idea of never changing the original angle might be ok - if one could get the original angle sharp and get it to STAY sharp at that angle - but some of these junkers just don't do that very well.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Maybe CEO will see this one of these days and get back to me also. He's the one who is really sold on this system...

007 Cool

_________________
"He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see..."

"Why's ever'body always pickin' on me??"

Blood_drinker · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:34 pm Post subject:

Picker -

I have my old Gatco tri seps ceramic hone I haven't used
in a dog's age - if you like I'll ship it to ya'. No complicated BS.

I wish I were physically there at your place to show you how you
can sharpen & maintain the edge bevel without using the "Spyderco
angle" - O.K., I'll try : just level the edge bevel against the
sharpener surface you'd normally use on, say, a wetstone. Forget that video & the
instructions - I know it's a bit awkward but it does work.

This is what is so "commercial" about Spyderco - buy our sharpeners,
then ya' need a knife w/ a 30-40 degree bevel to go with that, etc.

Let me know if you want that Gatco tri seps - it's just sittin' on a pool
table doin' nothin'! Shocked

Blood_drinker Twisted Evil

_________________
"If everyone's thinking the same thing, nobody's
thinking." - Proverb

ceo51378 · Master Blader Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1743 Location: MD

Hey guys.... just wanted to put my two cents in. As with almost everyone here... I have always maintained a 25 degree angle on finer cutlery and 30 for my work horses. I have always found the 25 angle to be a great sharpness/retension combo which is why I never tried the Spyderco. I am a big lansky fan... and still am. However, after following the instructions and using the Spyderco system, I attained an edge I have never gotten to before... shaving sharp seems dull now. And the 40 edge seems to hold up even better. But, this is my opinion. I still think a lansky is very important... you can set an edge much better than you can with the spyderco... the lansky also removes more metal per stroke. So the spyderco does have it's weeknesses... but I think it is excellent for holding up an already established edge.
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Matticus · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:32 pm Post subject:

I have used the Lansky kit for quite a few years now, my grandpa introduced me to it and I have always been pleased with the results. It usually gets my blades to a point that I wouldn't have any reason to make them any sharper Surprised

and thats good for me.
_________________

~MATT

picker7769 · Master Blader Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 2714 Location: MO

Well, I think I'll stick to the Lansky for my really good stuff for now and try the Sharpmaker on some of the cheaper stuff. If the 40 degree edge proves to be better and hold up longer, I'll switch over, but we'll wait and see... Confused

007

_________________
"He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see..."

"Why's ever'body always pickin' on me??"