beginner on budget. any feedback on using Smith's Diamond Combo sharpener?

G

giale1234

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Sep 27, 2012
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Hello Blade Forum!

My name is Gia. I am a college student that loves the outdoors. I bought a Esee Izula fixed blade last year due to the fact that I was not familiar with folders. In the past few months, I've noticed because I've been in saltier environments, my blade rusts so easily! Right now I am without a sharpener, and I just bought a Benchmade 551h2o. Goodness, 86 free shipping and thats still a lot for me :/ I need a sharpener that is cheap and fairly easy to use, that will give me a working edge.

My question is will the Smith's Diamond Combo sharpener give me the results I need on both of these blades?
I am not looking for a polish/razor sharp edge, just something that can take off the hairs of my arm at least.

Also because I spent so much on that folder blade, (bought it for its rustproof steel), I need to watch how much I spend on this investment.

I know I can't cough up more than 30 so if you guys can give me any feedback on this sharpener or any other sharpeners out there under 30.00 please let me know!

Thank you so much! Proud to join Blade Forum :)
 
I'm in Atlanta - you can use my paper wheels if you want, or I'll sharpen your knives (no guarantees - I'm new at it) - that is free and beats the spyderco sharpener in my experience.
 
For low cost nothing even comes close to working as well as ???? Yup you guessed it. Sandpaper! Get yourself a pack of the black stuff, silicon carbide. There should be a mixed grit pack. Something like 120 - 600 grits. Truth is it is not what you use to sharpen but knowing how to sharpen that is the key. Many people think that a sharpener system x or y is what produces a great edge but it is the person useing a system or method that makes the difference. Murray carter can get a better edge than most just useing a cinder block and cardboard. Once you know how to sharpen well you can use just about anything and get good results. With that said some do end up prefering a method or system over another. Paper wheels, diamond hones, water stones, belt grinders, Sharpmakers and all the other systems work and work well once you learn how to use them.
 
I have the Smith's diamond coarse and medium - they work very well. I like to use them with a bit of dish soap and water.

Edit to add: possibly the easiest and most effective sharpening tool for the widest variety of steels is the humble combination silicon carbide stone. Add some inexpensive polishing compounds, some mineral oil, and a few sheets of newspaper and you're well equipped.
 
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I actually found something I might consider buying for around the same price. DMT makes a dia-sharp sharpening brick in sizes 4 and 6 all for under 30. I heard these give a really good edge as well so I might demo these out! Thanks for the feedback guys!!!
 
What steel do you guys think is easiest to sharpen. I have read ZDP-189 takes a great edge and retains it over time. I have not really heard how S30V, S35VN or VG10 are in this regard. I only mention the above steels as the next knife I buy is more than likely to have been made from on of those steels.

BTW I was looking at the smiths pocket sharpener(coarse/fine) but went for one of DMT's diasharp double sided folders. They are available in different configs, coarse/fine, coarse/extra coarse, fine/extra fine and extra fine/extra extra fine. From my research DMT diamond sharpeners are considered to be among the best and are made in the USA, the Smiths pocket sharpener is made in China and while I've read some good reports it will not last as long as a DMT imo.
 
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