u/GetDadLore

Hey everyone,

I posted some questions about the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I gave it a real shot, watched the official video manual, did the sharpie test, and spent a few hours at it, but couldn’t get results I was happy with.

I came away with a few conclusions: 1) the system probably isn’t the right fit for me, 2) it seems better suited for maintaining an already-sharp edge rather than reprofiling a dull one, and 3) I’m looking for a buy-it-for-life solution, not something I’ll be fighting with.

The reason I care: I’m about to invest in a Zwilling knife collection that I plan to keep for many years, and I want a sharpening setup that’ll actually do them justice long-term. I cook frequently, so this will get real use.

What would you recommend? Open to anything, guided systems, whetstones, electric sharpeners, as long as it delivers consistent, reliable results without a massive learning curve.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker after seeing tons of glowing reviews, and I was really excited to get started. But after giving it a fair shot, I can’t seem to get the results I was hoping for.

I’ve done 20+ strokes per side, I’m keeping the handle perpendicular and letting the rods set the angle, and I’m going slow and deliberate. Yet my knives just don’t seem to get noticeably sharper. Meanwhile, I watch YouTube videos where people take completely dull blades and have them shaving arm hair in minutes.

A few things I’m wondering about:
• Is there a common beginner mistake that’s easy to overlook?
• How much pressure should I actually be using?
• How many passes are typically needed before you see real results?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker after seeing tons of glowing reviews, and I was really excited to get started. But after giving it a fair shot, I can’t seem to get the results I was hoping for.

I’ve done 20+ strokes per side, I’m keeping the handle perpendicular and letting the rods set the angle, and I’m going slow and deliberate. Yet my knives just don’t seem to get noticeably sharper. Meanwhile, I watch YouTube videos where people take completely dull blades and have them shaving arm hair in minutes.

A few things I’m wondering about:
• Is there a common beginner mistake that’s easy to overlook?
• How much pressure should I actually be using?
• How many passes are typically needed before you see real results?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks in advance.