Viewer Request: Dull to Hair Whittling Using the Spyderco Sharpmaker

[timwaltham]

this method sharpened up much better than the standard spyderco way. finally able to bring back the shaving sharp factory edge. thanks

[1timby]

Thks for the vid. Will this be a good system to sharpen Chief knives?

Thanks

[timwaltham]

@1timby yes works well for thin kitchen knives

[shot3gun]

Could I just buy the medium+fine sharpmaker rods + a strop and freehand with them to get a mirror edge? Or is the ultra fine really necessary? Thanks!

[joeysweets13]

homo



[jdavis882]

@silverfd You must be new to my channel. This isn't even close to being indicative of how sharp I can get my edges. Look back into some videos where I'm actually showing maximum sharpness. This was just a demo. ;)

[joebob4501]

@jdavis882 What is a micro bevel?

[timwaltham]

@joebob4501 the cutting edge

[silverfd]

keep on stropping, thats not quite sharp enough. when you can get the hair to pop off right as it touchs the edge of the blade, then you can stop.

[therealscope1]

Its all good my man! honestly i didn't feel like that was aimed at me at all. It's something I had planned to do regardless. Keep up the good work!!

[therealscope1]

@jdavis882 I totally get it. I would be happy to make a donation to help assist with the testing that I enjoy watching and benefit from. I'll setup a paypal account and assist you in your efforts, it's the least I can do. Thanks bro!!

[jdavis882]

@therealscope1 Brother I sincerely did not mean for that to be directed towards you. Please don't feel obligated to do anything like that.

I've just gotten messages lately telling me how I'm an E-begger, so I guess it was just on my mind. If you do, then I appreciate it more than you know, but please don't feel like you have to. I'll make your video soon either way. :)

[therealscope1]

I do realize its a lot of work but the only system I have is the sharp maker and I would like to see how you go about it

[jdavis882]

@therealscope1 Whew that is a big job!! I would really need the diamond stones to make a vid like that, although I can do it. I'll try and get the diamond stones within the next couple of weeks and make that vid for you.

People thought I was E-begging when asking for paypal donations towards my channel... They don't realize that things like this cost me money! Sorry, that wasn't directed towards you at all. :)

[therealscope1]

I would love to see you reprofile an edge with the sharpmaker please!!!

[rangodash]

You sound like hank hill, great vid though

[jdavis882]

@rangodash LOL do I really?

[rangodash]

@jdavis882 hahaha pretty close

[05tacoSPORT]

It is sharp but not to my wants. Will the ultra fine stones help me with this steel?

[05tacoSPORT]

I just picked up this sharpener. I like it so far. Every knife I have sharpened with it will shave hair, BUT my S30V blade. I have spent 3 times as long and

[ibesteadymobbin92]

@jdavis882 Yeah, the diamond rods didn't really do crap. There's two things about Striders that piss me off, the fact that they don't include a pivot tool, and the factory edge. It's abysmal. Other than that, they're awesome, I love mine and im selling other knives and saving up to buy another one.

[ibesteadymobbin92]

@jdavis882 Yeah, I figured as much. How's the lannsky diamond pro kit? I just want my striders edge to be 40 degrees all the way through

[GreenLightSky]

You say you don't round off your tip since you're not going off the stone, but it also doesn't look like the tip is being sharpened much. Do you still get a sharp edge on the tip of your knives with this method?

[jdavis882]

@GreenLightSky Yeah the tip gets just as much attention as the rest of the edge. :)

[ibesteadymobbin92]

Hey, I just got a strider smf today and I'm not a huge fan of the way the edge angle gets much thicker (and dull) at the tip. Would I be able to reprofile this if I get the diamond sticks for this or is it stuck that way?

[jdavis882]

@ibesteadymobbin92 The sharpmaker isn't the best thing for reprofiling, period.

It is a long and laborious task, even with the diamond stones.

[Heidar95]

Finally found someone who seems to be the sharpening expert I've been looking for. First video with you that I'm watching. SUBBED!

[MuzzleBlast357]

For reprofiling knives, what's the best way to learn it? I've never known how to freehand sharpen and always wanted to learn it, but didn't know how. Some people say to use match books, others say to use magic markers to mark the edge and just practice with cheap knives. How did you make the transition? And how about the Lansky setups that seem like a pain in the ass?

[MuzzleBlast357]

Hey, that's how I sharpen my tantos! Great minds think alike!

[1OfTheLocalCivillian]

to get that mirror polish will you just have to spend more time on the ultra fine rods? or what

[pandurate]

I have such a hard time getting tips sharpened on the SM. I either round the tip off as I pull the blade away from the stone (esp. if I'm using the corners, b/c the tip drags along the flat side as I pull away), or I neglect to sharpen the tip entirely b/c I'm trying to avoid rounding it off!

[58harwood]

Well, not using the brass rods because you've "never come close to cutting myself" is akin to not wearing a seat belt while driving because you've never been a car wreck! Neither one is particularly bright.

[CTKTMRIDER]

Hey dude! Love your vids! Have you done and Tanto blade work ? I would love to see how you sharpen a Tanto. Ive got a used CRK Tanto on the way. Thanks! Keep up the good work

[rocketfireman]

I tried that method and I have to say you have good control. I have rounded tips I guess need to keep practicing. The sharp maker does make it sharper for me then me with a regular stone. Shaves hair and cuts paper.

[mrdeus1]

Just wanted to say thanks for your videos. Very informative and well explained. That's pretty much the same method I use on the sharpmaker, btw.

[jdavis882]

@mrdeus1 Well thanks for the kind words man. :)

[rocketfireman]

do you have a problem with it rounding of the tip? I think I am I don't think I want to use my leek on it yet.

[edwdixon5]

If the SM was your primary sharpening tool, but you wanted to expand to some free-hand experience with a stone that might complement the SM, what might you recommend? What would be a good stone to get for getting a very dull blade in good enough shape to then use the SM? Thanks.

[andris4]

I know I have commented on this video before, but I just have one more question. I'm getting my sharpmaker tomorrow and are planning on getting the ultra fine rods, but will I benefit from stropping the knife after using the finest grit?

[jdogg564]

whats a burr?

[residentevil926]

@jdogg564 It's very small teeth on the edge of the knife from most likely uneven grinding

to just the edge being made.

[AznAlacran]

Great video, and good advice. Subscribed. 

[andris4]

Do you get your knifes sharper with freehand?

[jdavis882]

@andris4 It depends on the knife really. Some of the sharpest edges I have ever gotten have been free hand though. :)

[mace1337]

You should really use the brass rods.

[jdavis882]

@mace1337 Eh, I don't think so. I've never even come close to cutting myself.

[mongomondomongo]

Thank you so much for showing this technique. I find it easier to do than the one shown in the instructional DVD. I had a few dull paring knives in the kitchen and this worked fast!

[jdavis882]

@mongomondomongo Awesome! Glad it worked for you man. :)

[1OfTheLocalCivillian]

where did you buy the strop it sounded like a great deal and i realy need a strop thanks in advance

[jackknifeh]

Hello, I've been using an Edge Pro for a couple of years. I have the stock stones and some Congress Tools mold master stones. I've considered the choesera stones but never bought any. You said some good things about them in one of your videos. Where did you get yours? I'm interested in the lowest price of course but sometimes if I like a site I'll use it to get multiple products even if one of them is higher than on another site. I've watched a couple of your videos and liked them.

Jack

[1dducks]

Hey I have a SOG flash 1 aus8 and ive followed all the steps on my sharpmaker. It gets sharp but nowhere near as sharp as I get on my 154cm BM 940 using the same technique, is that typical? Btw I have the stock stones only.

[stompySharpNpointy]

looks like you backward and the wire gaurds arent used ..may i ask why?

[WanderingWallaby]

Thanks for sharing your technique with the Sharpmaker. I'm getting reasonable results but seeing what you did gives me more motivation. My biggest (learner) problem is keeping the blade against the flat edges as I move it. Practice, I suppose

[jdavis882]

@WanderingWallaby Yes all it takes it practice, you will definitely get a little better each time. Thanks for the kind words. :)

[Seanerpants]

Great vid - helped my get my Grip to tree-topping arm hairs. The factory grinds were pretty disappointing, and up until now I've struggled with getting a satisfactory edge on it.

[jdavis882]

@Seanerpants Awesome man I'm glad you got good results!

[beactivelife]

Do you have an opinion on the Lansky 5 hone sharpening system vs the Sharpmaker? As in which might be more effective?

[jdavis882]

@beactivelife No experience with the lansky so I wouldn't feel right giving my opinion. I will say that the sharpmaker is a very effective system though.

[MrICSK]

Is there a reason why you recommend the 40 degree instead of the 30 on the other side of the SharpKeeper?

[jdavis882]

@MrICSK Because there aren't many knives with a <30 degree edge. Unless the edge is less than 30 degrees (which almost zero factory knives are) you won't be sharpening the edge, you will be grinding on the shoulders of the bevel.

Using the 40 degree side makes it more likely to actually hit the apex of the edge.

[MrICSK]

@jdavis882 so that would work if the knife was 30 degrees at the edge? If so, time to break out the Edge Pro again.

[jdavis882]

@MrICSK Yes the 30 degree setting will work perfectly is the edge is 30 degrees or less. :)

[1dducks]

Why is it you choose not to use the corners of the stones for sharpening (you use just the flat sides)?

[jdavis882]

@1dducks It's easy to round your tip off using the corners, also using the corners puts a LOT of pressure on the edge since there is little surface area. That can cause problems with some steels. IE: chipping, rolling.

[Wschod]

I Like HD on Your Video's Good Job !!!

[jdavis882]

@Wschod Thanks man. :)

[cadrician]

Loved it, you really help a lot by showing your method whit the spidy sharpmaker, I was afraid to test diferent ways, not patient enough I guess. Thanks for posting!

[jdavis882]

@cadrician You're very welcome!

[PavlovSandor]

A proprietary sharpmaker technique. Sweet. Looks like it works. That's funny you don't use the corners cuz that's all I like to use on the sharpmaker is the corners. And I don't like to run the tip off the stone.

[jdavis882]

@PavlovSandor Yeah doing it this way almost completely negates the risk of rounding the tip.

[samurai165]

Very interesting technique. I'll be sure to try it next time I need to sharpen my knives.

[gundude73]

very cool!

[spsilvgo]

Nice, that's the stroke I use on my Sharpmaker too! I need to get the ultra fine rods.

[SweptEdge]

It sounds like a super good idea to get those UF stones.

[simezra]

your becoming a master :)

[nosaj03]

What exactly is the burr supposed to feel like? Ive always had trouble freehand sharpening because I never knew wha the burr is supposed to feel or look like. Yes I know Im a complete noob but due to my lack of knowledge and experience with sharpening I generally just try to strop my knives to prevent from having to sharpen them. Im always worried about ruining my customs and not having a working edge.

[jdavis882]

@nosaj03 Check my "Free Hand Sharpening: Subsriber Inquiries Answered", I go over this very topic. If you need it explained further let me know and I'll do a video on it. :)

[newcoyote]

I saw a employee in one of the mall type knife stores using a Sharpmaker. She was going lightning fast back and forth like TV chefs do with a steel. Zing zing zing.Click click click.Probably only getting a portion of the edge. I think she thought thats what it is supposed to look like. My shuddering must have been audible. Worse, I think it was a customers knife. I wanted to say something.I wanted to scream. It isn't easy being a know it all. Careful and methodical is the way. You know that.

[jdavis882]

@newcoyote Ugh, geez. I can only imagine what she did to that blade.

[5x56mm]

I wish I had seen your sharpmaker technique a couple years ago. Before I got my Edge Pro I used to spend 2-3 hours on one knife with the sharpmaker using alternating strokes. Ugh.

[jdavis882]

@5x56mm The Sharpmaker is still a very useful tool even if you have the EP.

[dodisman]

Is it best to just take a beater to use as training knife until you build your confidence and skill up?

[jdavis882]

@dodisman Yes, definitely. :)

[defenseandsafety]

it's encouraging to watch you use the sharpmaker - i am going to try to get good with it. thanks for the tips and techniques.

[jdavis882]

@defenseandsafety You're very welcome Todd. :)

[oromoto]

I gotta get me a strop.

[jdavis882]

@oromoto Do it! Haha

[sasquatch446]

Thank you sir! Okay first i'm gonna pick up the spyderco profile set and a strop, because i want to learn freehand. Then for Christmas gonna get the sharp maker, and the 306uf stone.

[GREY1551]

Excellent technique! 

[JohnReviewer112]

i tried this and it made my buck whittlling sharp

[jdavis882]

@JohnReviewer112 Awesome!!

[MPSecare]

haha you dull an edge and its still sharper than one I can make

\m/

[jdavis882]

@MPSecare Haha it just comes with time and practice. You could always send your knives to me for sharpening. :)

[MPSecare]

can't go wrong with spyderco, they made sharpeners first right? After that... claw thing they made for jewelers and hoobyists.

[golddot370]

Thanks John just what i wanted to see..

[jdavis882]

@golddot370 You're very welcome. Any time. :)

[31dundee]

Excellent presentaion,i have the sm but i think i will invest in some stones what grit sizes would you recomend as a starter kit.

[jdavis882]

@31dundee 600, 1200, and 3000 would be a good starter kit. :)

[fredde90210]

Thx so much...

[SuperPrime77]

I like your method for using the SM. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. All the rods are are narrow stones turned at an angle. Why not sharpen your knife like you would on a flat stone. Great job on this vid.

[Lorbera]

Thanks :)

[perspicacity89]

Yes!!!

Thank you! :)