Accusharp edge sharpener opionions

N

nmaynan

Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
53
Is there anything wrong with sharpening a good quality knife with the Accusharp Edge Sharpener?

I've always thought the thing works good. But an aquaintance said it's cheap and it's better to use a sharpening stone to sharpen a nice custom knife.

Is this hogwash? Anybody else use the Accusharp? It's always struck me as an idiot-proof, safe way to sharpen.
 
A lot of knife nuts and collectors are real perfectionists when it comes to sharpening and will be horrified by your question. I have an Accusharp and use it and I think it is just great for getting a working edge if that is all you are after. The final bevel will be about 45 degrees by my estimation, and will not split a hair (so what?). Some like a thinner edge. It might tend to chip some of the harder alloys like S30V. I don't use it on my favorite expensive blades. I use my Sharpmaker for that and get more precise results. But when you are faced with a drawer full of really dull kitchen knives or any working knives, this thing is your best friend. I see no problem at all with using one however you like.
 
It is fine for the inexpensive softer kitchen or utility knives/tools. I would never use it on higher grade steels or custom knives. It will damage the edge on those type of knives. You can try it if you like, but you may be sorry.
 
So you guys recommend a Sharpmaker?

Is there anything comparable to the sharpmaker that is more compact and transportable?
 
You can easily carry the Sharpmaker around with you, not in your pants pocket of course, but it' s fine if you have a backpack.And there is no Sharpening system as easy to use, with that good results, it' s definitly worth it' s price.
 
Yeah, the Sharpmaker parts all store inside the base and there is a cover that keeps it all together, so it travels pretty well. I wouldn't carry it with me every day, but it could go along on trips OK. A. G. Russell offers a similar sharpener that is more compact. But with shorter rods, it's not quite as convenient in use.

Far more portable sharpening tools would be small stones or the diamond plates that are credit card sized.
 
so the sharpmaker uses those rods to sharpen your blade? It looks like it also has a slot (similar to the Accusharp item) in which to run your blade through? Can you run your blade through the sharpmaker slot and get better results than would appear with the Accusharp?
 
There is no sharpening slot on the sharpmaker. All of the sharpening is done on the triangle rods. There is a slot in the base that holds the cover in an offset position to be used as a handle so that you can hold the device steady while sharpening and your hand is farther from the knife. That slot must be what you are referring to, but you don't put the knife in there.

Slot devices in general are considered poor sharpening choices. The Accusharp is one of the few that I would use. Another good one is called the EdgeMaker. That can put a very sharp edge on.

By the way, the Sharpmaker has holes in the base for mounting it to a workbench if you like. I used them to mount my sharpmaker to a length of 2x4 to give it a big, solid, steady base and make it very rigid. I really like it that way, but it is certainly less transportable now.
 
is the difference in quality primarily from the material used to sharpen the knife?

The sharpmaker's rods are superior material, and the Accusharp material is not as good quality? is does it have to do with a whole assortment of things?
 
Most sharpeners work much like ultrafine sandpaper to shape and polish the bevels that constitute the edge. The Accusharp scrapes material off the bevels like a crude plane or file. It can't produce as smooth or fine an edge as a normal hone and it leaves some weakened edge material. This type of edge has a kind of edge roughness that slices well when the edge slides across a surface and is durable enough for general kitchen use. On harder steel it will have trouble scraping the material.

The Sharpmaker is basically two abrasive hones propped up so that you hone at a good angle by simply holding the blade straight while rubbing the edge alternately against the right then left rod. The abrasive is pretty fine so it is slow if you have very dull knives.
 
thanks for all your help guys.

can anyone recommend a good place to purchase the sharpmaker?
 
In the past I have gotten good deals on Sharpmaker replacement rods from gpknives.com. I would take a look at them. You also might look at one of the discount sporting goods stores, maybe Sportsman's Warehouse.
 
Let’s see if we can find the right forum …
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