keeping it sharp?

[skcusloa]

I just purchased a delica. What is the cheapest easiest way for me to keep the edge razor sharp? I've heard having a guide to keep the knife at a perfect angle all the time is the easiest way for a newb to make a knife this sharp... fill me in.... I have several sharpeners at my disposal. Diamond, ceramic, and stone. I've just never been able to put a very good edge on any of my other cheap knives and I don't want to let my spyderco get dull.

[jjmc2001]

Sharpmaker 204. Watch the video and take your time. Don't let it get too dull or the Sharpmaker takes a long time.

[Ted]

Hi skcusloa, welcome to the forum.

Your should try the <A TARGET=_blank HREF="http://www.spyderco.com/online_product_info.asp?sts=5%2F7%2F2004+7%3A43%3A 08+AM&pfid=204MF&deptId=1030&mscssid=NM07HH7D8MN38 GC0C4RL1AW1XK22690E">Spyderco Sharpmaker</A>

Ted

[skcusloa]

I have an OLD sharpmaker. It didn't come with a video and the instructions are gone. I've been using it like this. Hold the knife straight and push it down while moving the blade forward. I've only used it on kitchen knives and it only has one set of ceramic sticks.

[boxer93]

skcusloa,
Contact spyderco (maybe Joyce jlaituri@spyderco.com or SFO) I believe that you may be able to get video tapes. As for your method straight I believe you to mean vertical, pull instead of push past the stones. I don't use too much pressure. Also corners only for serrated edges. Hope this helps.
Chris

Be Excellent to each other.

[jjmc2001]

One other thing when using the Sharpmaker-Do not let the tip slide off the stones as you draw it down. This will quickly cause the tip to round off. So be careful when trying to sharpen near the tip. Once rounded the tip is near impossible to reprofile on your own unless you have great skill.

[HoB]

Get the other set of rods (white if you have gray, gray if you have white). To have both makes a huge difference. The gray will never get it shaving, the white will never really true the edge. About $16 + shipping. See e.g. NGK

[skcusloa]

I can't maintain the edge with the normal white sticks? What if I never let it get dull?

[jaxon]

You should be fine with the whites, as long as you keep the edge touched up regularly and as you said don't let it get dull. The grays are usefull though if you want the full deal.

Jaxon


Live to Ride....Ride to Live

[thombrogan]

Skcusloa,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum!

Eventually, all metal will fatigue. Especially at as thin of a spot as a knife's edge. When that happens, you will either need to regrind the edge or make due with an edge that gets sharp really fast and dulls really fast and eventually never gets that sharp anymore.

However, with a diamond benchstone or pocket stone and your white Spyderco Sharpmaker hones, you easily maintain and restore your Delica's edge. When a new edge needs to be ground, freehand a new rough edge into the Delica. This should be either done at about the current angle or slightly thinner than what you currently have. Just scrub the blade into the diamond hone until a burr runs down the entire edge, then repeat on the other side. Next, use the white hones to set the final edge. Go firm at first and then gradually use less and less pressure with each alternating stroke until you're barely touching the blade. From there, and before there, too, you'll have many touch-ups and resharpenings with just the white Sharpmaker hones before you need to break out the diamond.

[HoB]

Even though I fully agree with thombrogan, I would like to amend his post. I find a rough diamond grid (#220 or #320) to rough to go directly to the white stones, so I would definitely use the greys before going to the whites. Alternatively, you can of course use a finer diamond stone (about #600-1000) which is about as fine as the greys (the ceramic rods I believe were never grid rated) but then you are looking at $40 for one benchstone, vs $16 for two grey rods. I also find that the rough diamond stone is only needed if you really want to put an entirely new bevel on the blade, which is rarely needed. I would hold of on the diamond stone, until you really feel you need it and go with the cheaper greys first, which will go a long way. Besides, if your Spydie really needs completely a new edge, you can always send it back to Spyderco, and have them put a factory edge on it....for free (+shipping). If you don't like to part with your Spydie for a few weeks, just follow thombrogans instructions......just my two cents.

Edited by - HoB on 5/7/2004 10:40:16 PM

[thombrogan]

HoB,

My answer was based on the equipment said to be at the disposal of skcusloa. Otherwise, I would've went with your answer.

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha and welcome!

Well, everyone else's answers are a "permutation" (As java would say) of my take, so I just wanted to say ALOHA!

BTW- great choice in knife!

God will put you over...if you let Him! John 14: 13,14...try it, it WORKS!

[samosaurus]

Welcome aboard! Sharpmaker = G<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>D! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

"have scars will travel.."

[SURLY]

<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Love the sharpmaker.

[HoB]

thombrogan,
Sorry about that, you've paid a lot more attention than I did!

[thombrogan]

HoB,

That was a rare lapse on my part and I assure you it won't happen again. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[HoB]

:-)