Learning to Sharpen Knives: Need Advice

[PsychGrad]

One thing that I have never learned to do is sharpen a knife. With my growing interest in knives I feel kind of silly that I don't know how.



Given that my almite(slotted) navigator needs some touching up I'm considering a 204 sharpmaker for a purchase. Is this a good set for a beginner? What is the best way to learn?



Thanks for the help,

Clay

[Sword and Shield]

The 204 is absolutely incredible, regardless of your level of experience. It'll put an edge on that you can't conceive as possible.

A few tips on the 204:
1.) If sharpening a serrated edge, "fast enough to remove metal" means the knife should sound like a washboard, not a dragstrip on the highway.

2.) Practice on a few junk knives before trying a <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> on the 204. The stones need to wear in, and this takes around 10 sharpenings.

3.) Most importantly, watch the video and read the manual. The time spent will return tenfold.

Hope this helps! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[J Smith]

Go with the 204.I can get a really good edge with a benchstone on most knives but the high quality steel in spydies will take alot longer on one.On the 204 5 to 10 min will get you a great edge and you will not have to worry about the angle as much.

Jeff }{

[Lsaulog]

Agreed. The <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> 204 is the hands-down best sharpener you'll find at any price.

Watch the video, repeatedly.

Watching the video and sharpening as you pause/go helps. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[Gary]

Beginners to Experts... it's the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> 204.
In addition to being a great tool, it has the best documentation and video. Get one. You'll love it and so will your knives.

Gary

[bell]

I recently got the 204 and really enjoy using it. This system is a no-brainer. I even volunteered to sharpen my mother in laws knives. One probem I have is that the 204 does not seem to make a good point. Yeah, the edge is sharp but the point is dull. Maybe its me.

[sam the man..]

Dude ~ The <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> 204 comes shipped with an instructional video <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Here, you'll be able to catch Poppa Spyder Sal in action, giving step-by-step instructions on how to use the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> 204. You can't go wrong with this simple sharpener! I've used other methods before, but none can come close to the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> 204! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[bell]

Even a Psych Grad can do it.