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[940-1] Sharpener Help

hama

July 29, 2017 21:31

Hello guys,

I have some questions regarding to Sharpening system.

Recently, I purchased 940-1 and I just wonder what kind of sharpener should I purchase to maintain my blade edge.

I Only have 1 knife as EDC (940-1) (I may just purchase 1~2 more knife later)

I don't really need insanely sharp edge. All I need is cutting paper, boxes, maybe thin plastics sometimes.

Here are some sharpening systems I found
- Work Sharp Guided Field sharpener
- Work Sharp Guided sharpener
- Spyderco Sharpmaker
- Lansky BladeMedic (I am not going to use carbide part, only using diamond rod and ceramic part)
- Gerber Diamond Knife Sharpener
- Kershaw 2535 Ultra-Tek Blade Sharpener with 600-Grit Diamond Coated Oval Shaft

All of those items listed are less than $100 (CAD) ($50~70 USD)

I don't think I can afford $2~300 guided sharpening system or sharpening system machine for 1 ~ 2 knives.

Please help me to choose right sharpening system.

Thank you so much.

(BTW is it possible to sharp S90V steel with those sharpening systems?)

(I do know Benchmade have Sharpening services. However, since I live in Canada, I really would not like to send my knife and wait for 2~3 weeks. Moreover, we have some weird custom......)

Comments

22 comments

maxpower

July 29, 2017 21:43
There is a lansky guided diamond sharpening kit. The blade gets clamped into place and there is an angle guide. It includes different grit diamond stones. Diamond stones will help with the S90V.

The Spyderco Sharpmaker is good for maintaining an edge after use but takes a very long time to sharpen a dull knife.
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hama

July 29, 2017 22:25
Thanks for the reply, Max Power.
I did check Lansky guided diamond sharpening kit.
But i thought worksharp guided system is better.
Since price is similar, and much simpler to setup the system.

is Lansky system better than Work Sharp guided sharpener?
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billhammer

July 30, 2017 00:37
Welcome! Your going to various recommendations. I've lots of 94X's & current EDC is usually a
940-1. I've several sharpening systems & for the 94X's the Spyderco Sharpmaker is easiest for me. If you can keeep your wrist straight it works great. As I said I've lots of 94X's with different blade steels. The S90v takes longest to bring back to sharp, so don't let it get dull ( at that point use BKC's life sharp service). In addition to the Sharpmaker, I recently discovered strop blocks. The green paste on leather strop block (paste comes pre loaded)is great for touching up blades.

While the S90v is wicked sharp, D2 is easier to bring back to a toothy sharp edge.

Good luck & enjoy collecting
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chip

July 30, 2017 01:25
quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:

The S90v takes longest to bring back to sharp, so don't let it get dull ( at that point use BKC's life sharp service). In addition to the Sharpmaker, I recently discovered strop blocks. The green paste on leather strop block (paste comes pre loaded)is great for touching up blades.

Bill is absolutely right on this. Strop the 940-1 so you never have to sharpen. On Bill's advice I got some strop blocks and have now expanded into other stropping systems. Especially with the light use you are describing in your initial post, you shouldn't have to sharpen for literally years.
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billhammer

July 30, 2017 02:07
quote:

Originally posted by Chip:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:

The S90v takes longest to bring back to sharp, so don't let it get dull ( at that point use BKC's life sharp service). In addition to the Sharpmaker, I recently discovered strop blocks. The green paste on leather strop block (paste comes pre loaded)is great for touching up blades.

Bill is absolutely right on this. Strop the 940-1 so you never have to sharpen. On Bill's advice I got some strop blocks and have now expanded into other stropping systems. Especially with the light use you are describing in your initial post, you shouldn't have to sharpen for literally years.

/|\ So spill what other stropping systems.
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maxpower

July 30, 2017 02:49
quote:

Originally posted by Hama:
Thanks for the reply, Max Power.
I did check Lansky guided diamond sharpening kit.
But i thought worksharp guided system is better.
Since price is similar, and much simpler to setup the system.

is Lansky system better than Work Sharp guided sharpener?

The Work sharp is less versatile than the Lanksy. The Lansky has more grits of stone available and more possible sharpening angles. I assume you are talking about the Work Sharp with a diamond stone, not the belt sander. I would not recommend the belt sander because it will eat away your blade.
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hookedonbenchmade

July 30, 2017 03:19
I have the DMT diamond hone guided system, also in the price range you're shopping, I think. It works very nicely for me, though I don't have any S90v. I like how simple it is, and it's very compact and portable. Nice little case to hold it all, too.
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hama

July 30, 2017 05:44
Thanks for all the replys.

right now I't still trying to decide between simple sharpener vs versatile sharpener...

ATM I feel like worksharp guided field sharpener seems good for my situation. It has guided diamond sharpener, ceramic sharpener, strop...
But it has limitation and I'm not sure how it will perform with S90V steel.
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riverrun

July 30, 2017 08:14
Hello Hama and welcome! I am a newby compared to many other forum members. I also carry a 940 EDC (s30V). Like you, I looked around and experimented to find the best sharpening system and I am also in Canada and understand why it isn't so quick to send your knife to Lifesharp + the cost of shipping etc. I agree with Bill. The Sharpmaker and a good strop is all I really need to keep my 940 serviceable. I recently purchased the extra fine rods and I find they put a really nice edge before I strop. Just keep it up and don't let it get dull.
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fastjan

July 31, 2017 00:48
Hama, the reason many of us like RiverRun are leery about recommending the Sharpmaker is because the two sets of provided stones seem a little too whimpy for a tough sharpening job. SM stones can keep a knife sharp, but have trouble making a dull knife sharp.

I bring this up because I have a partial solution. It may have come from Po, but if not him, it was another fine forum member. They took some strips of more aggressive sand paper and bent them around the regular SM stones and held them in place with wither a couple of rubber bands or maybe some tape. (It's been a while).

If you needed to try this, I would recommend you try either 400 grit or maybe even 320 grit. Those should do well. You see, the SM's stones seem like they are 600 grit which just won't tear in and get something done fast. Now, if you try this sandpaper method, you might only get one sharpening out of it and then you will need fresh sandpaper for your next sharpening. Once the sandpaper has done its job on your blade, then you can switch back to the SM's brown and white stones to finish the job.

I hope it works for you.

-fj
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fastjan

July 31, 2017 00:57
Hama, I have also bought other stones for the Sharpmaker. SM sells some diamond stones, but they are more pricey than the whole Sharpmaker. I also bought some triangular 6" after-market stones from a company called Congress Tools, Inc., Naugatuck, CT 06770, USA. I bought the following grits: 240, 150 and 120. The 120's match the roughest standard stones supplied by EdgePro, so you know they can sharpen any knife steel.

Anyway, this won't turn a SM into an EP, but it is a big improvement.
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chip

July 31, 2017 02:58
quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:

/|\ So spill what other stropping systems.

Some larger stropping paddles that were not preloaded with stropping compound, so I could pick the level of grit. Nothing to fancy, but it is really nice to have a larger leather surface to work on.
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hama

July 31, 2017 03:50
Thank you so much for all the reply and suggestions.

Hmm... seems like everyone recommending Sharpmaker with strop and maybe some extra triangle SM stones

Is there any reason why people don't use "WorkSharp Guided sharpener" with "upgrade kit"?
(This will include 220 grit, 320 grit, 600 grit, and 800 grit with leather strop as well)

Is there any specific reason why people choose Sharpmaker over Worksharp? Is it just preference?

Thank you.
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riverrun

July 31, 2017 05:52
Hi Hama - Cant speak to other sharpening systems since I have no experience with them. I picked SM since it came highly recommended. I also bought SM since I own a few partially serrated blades and SM also does a really good job at keeping serrations paper cut sharp.

I agree with previous posts though, SM is great for keeping a sharp knife sharp (including serrations). Its also very easy, quick and clean to use (requires no oil etc). As I get deeper into this hobby, I will likely invest in another sharpening system like edge pro that can not only keep a knife sharp, but also re-profile too.

I can say that for someone new to sharpening, SM is a great system to learn the basics and I am glad I have one.
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riverrun

July 31, 2017 05:57
Forgot to mention. In Canada you can pick up a SM for about $80 CAD so it wont brake the bank. If you like, send me a PM and I can send you the names of some reputable online vendors in Canada (not sure we can mention vendors on this forum).
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billhammer

July 31, 2017 11:41
quote:

Originally posted by Hama:
Thank you so much for all the reply and suggestions.

Hmm... seems like everyone recommending Sharpmaker with strop and maybe some extra triangle SM stones

Is there any reason why people don't use "WorkSharp Guided sharpener" with "upgrade kit"?
(This will include 220 grit, 320 grit, 600 grit, and 800 grit with leather strop as well)

Is there any specific reason why people choose Sharpmaker over Worksharp? Is it just preference?

Thank you.

/|\ The why for me is I'd used India stones for years ( have gig set up on work bench out in garage no heat or A/C, oil can stain cloths, takes acquired skill)& I became OK with it. Bough Lansky lot of set up & never felt comfortable with it. The SM is easy to set up & use on kitchen counter. Had to replace a gray rod I dropped & I bought the diamond rods after a couple of years.

Again SM = easy to get good results, even for beginners & those without the craftmen's gene
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hama

July 31, 2017 16:24
Thank you for all the replys.

Based on everyones recommendation and how easy to use and setup. I'll get the Spyderco Sharpmaker.

RiverRun, Amazon.ca selling Sharpmaker for $80 CAD right now. Thank you so much, but I think I'll just buy from amazon since I can use prime shipping.

Thank you guys
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dj

August 01, 2017 00:31
Let me add , if you get the sharpmaker diamond stones .........dont push hard against the stone or whatever you call it , it will only break the diamonds off easier .....
The weight of your hand is enough to do the work.
Never let the knife get really dull ......it takes forever to get the edge back ......I have a sharpmaker and think it good for touch ups , but thats about it. Opinions are , opinions ....everybody has one ....IMHO , your better off your a clamping system (lansky or any of them .....An edge pro can sharpen any steel , but its expensive.
Whatever you get , let the stone do the work .....pressing harder aint gonna get you nowhere.
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boinkman

August 01, 2017 02:51
+1 on that. When I first got my diamond stones I did more damage by pressing hard. I was trying to sharpen out a small chip on the edge and ended up creating more chips.
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sharpeye

August 02, 2017 07:56
Has anyone tried the cubic boron nitride triangle rods? I saw a comment that Spyderco claims the bonding adhesive was better than the one for their diamond rods? I don't have any first hand experience on them myself. Might be worth a try.
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hama

August 05, 2017 05:43
I just received my Sharpmaker and I love this system so much.
sooo easy to use, simple setup, and very compact for storage.

Thank you for recommendations
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billhammer

August 05, 2017 13:45
Glad you like it.
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