Smith's "3 in 1" sharpening system?

J

JahRo225

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Jul 6, 2011
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I picked one of these up today. I am a noob with sharpening, but I saw some good reviews on this model. Has anyone else ever used it? If so, how'd it work for ya? I know it's no Sharpmaker, but I can't afford a high end sharpener. I use to use my dad's ol' coarse and fine stones, but they are extremely tiny for me and I found it hard to sharpen. Is it true that the little carbide sharpener will ruin your edge? I'm going to try and use the diamond encrusted stone (750 grit? idk :( ) and the ceramic rods for my first sharpening soon. Can anyone just offer me some advice and let me know if I should've purchased something else? Thanks fellas!

Also, here's the link for it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCD4-Field-Sharpening-System/dp/B000N35D2E
I got it because it seemed compact and it was very affordable for me
 
I haven't tried that one, but I see no reason why you can't get good results from it. Smith's has a pretty good reputation, so far as I know. You have a built-in advantage, in one respect, over the Sharpmaker. Yours has a diamond hone. The diamond rods for the Sharpmaker are optional ($$), and many feel they're a bit too fine for heavy re-bevelling jobs.

As with any sharpening tool, the fundamentals always apply. Maintain a consistent angle and LIGHT pressure. On the diamond especially, diamond cuts very aggressively. Too much pressure is counter-productive, and it'll remove excess diamond from the hone. And when sharpening on the ceramic rods, especially if using the edges (corners), pressure is magnified in a very small area of the blade edge. Go VERY light there. Get yourself a good magnifier (10X or better) and inspect your edge as you work, under very bright light. That makes a big difference, in seeing what is happening at the edge.

And, regarding your other question:

Is it true that the little carbide sharpener will ruin your edge?
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If you're referring to the 'pull-through' type of carbide sharpener, they certainly have the potential to tear up an edge (literally, they 'grab' & tear the steel; it's ugly). Makes a lot of rough, jagged 'teeth' on the edge, which will not last (they're essentially burrs, which will soon bend or break off). You're better off avoiding those.
 
Thanks a lot man. I'd only use that carbide slot for some junk knives anyway. One question though... I have some old honing oil, should I use it on the diamond slab? I hear good about it and good without using it as well. Does it matter? Thanks!
 
I've got one of them. It does a pretty decent job. The idea of that one is to use the carbide pull though (lightly) to set your angle and then use the ceramic rods to hone the edge. I get shaving edges easily enough on it. Smiths uses an odd angle on all of their sharpeners that have "pre-set" angles. It's 23 degrees, whereas most other companies use 20, 30, or 40 degree angles.

I use mine for my cheap kitchen knives, as I don't really care about the edge quality as long as they cut. I also use it for my scandi grind knives. The diamond pad works well for them, then I can use the rods in my hand for a zero degree edge or I can use them in the base for a micro-bevel.

You don't need any lubricant on the diamond hone.
 
JahRo225 said:
Thanks a lot man. I'd only use that carbide slot for some junk knives anyway. One question though... I have some old honing oil, should I use it on the diamond slab? I hear good about it and good without using it as well. Does it matter? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Don't worry about the oil. Going dry on the diamond will work fine (again, with LIGHT pressure). If you do want to lube the hone a bit, dish soap & water works well. Just a drop or two of dish soap, then add water periodically to keep it sufficiently wet enough to suspend the particles. The soap will help in the end too. Just add a little more water, scrub & rinse in HOT water to clean it all up, when you're done. Works well.
 
The carbide scrapers take way too much steel off for my taste. I can sharpen with a coarse belt and remove less metal than one of those things. The edge they produce is nasty, too, you can actually see the tearing and burrs with the naked eye! I have some Smith's gear, though, and it's typically quite decent. I say give it a try.
 
Sorry for somewhat hijacking but anyone know how this would compare to say a lansky system?
 
Like apples and oranges? They're rather different in pretty much every way. Given the choice, I'd go with the Lansky or the Smith's diamond knock-off of it.
 
Zeva said:
Sorry for somewhat hijacking but anyone know how this would compare to say a lansky system?
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Depends on which Lansky system you're talking about. Lansky does have a 'crock stick' style sharpener, which (generally) is similar. BUT, it doesn't include any diamond features. Even their '4-rod' version just has two grades of ceramic rods, no diamond. I'm sure it's fine for touch-ups, but wouldn't do well at re-bevelling jobs.

If you're referring to the Lansky guided system (clamp & guided rod system), that's functionally a completely different option. It does work well (I cut my 'sharpening teeth' on it), but a realistic comparison can't be made to the OP's selected system. Different animals entirely.
 
Ah, I hadn't thought of their crock sticks. Duh... *Facedesk*

I'd say the crock stick is inferior to the Sharpmaker, just for the lesser options in abrasive grit. The sharpmaker doesn't have much, but it has TWICE as many as the crock stick. I actually played with one long before I got my sharpmaker, and was so under-awed that I almost passed the Sharpmaker by because of it.
 
I have used that knife sharpening system at work. For me it is a combination of freehand back beveling/edge thinning and then a microbevel applied with the ceramic "V" part of the system. I have never used nor would I ever recommend anyone using that feature on any knife that they care about at all. I have had people tell me that they produce razor sharp edges just on the carbide scrappers, but none have produced it while I was present.
 
Am interested Komitadjie, in your mention of the "Smith's diamond k** " Can't find it. Lansky has come to be close to what I'll order.

I appreciate your post.
:)
 
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