Smith's 50392 Electric Knife Sharpener

Wavester

Wavester

Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
1,665
Just bought one of these only cause it seemed like a good deal. Was wondering if this is something
you would recommend I could use on my Kershaws and Sypdercos - or should it be strictly for Kitchen
knives..?

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I wouldn't use that for any of my knives. Ufortunately, that is very similar to the old carbide pull through scrapers/sharpeners. It might be alright for the cheap kitchen knives, but i doubt it would be good for folders and nonkitchen fixed blades.
 
RevDevil said:
I wouldn't use that for any of my knives. Ufortunately, that is very similar to the old carbide pull through scrapers/sharpeners. It might be alright for the cheap kitchen knives, but i doubt it would be good for folders and nonkitchen fixed blades.
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++1 Key word here is "Cheap kitchen knives", not good quality kitchen knives. There are much better systems available for the same or less money than that Smith machine. (My opinion by the way)

Blessings,

Omar
 
are there any electric sharpeners that do a good job? or do they just power through the metal and tear it up?
 
I bought some thing like that. I got a cheap knife to test it on and it stop spinning the secound I put the knife to it. I tried to barley touch the knife to it and it still stop up. I return it the next day. wish you better luck than I had.
 
matt_b89 said:
are there any electric sharpeners that do a good job? or do they just power through the metal and tear it up?
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The big problem with these type of sharpeners is that you have no control over the angle of the bevel. It is pre set by the MFG. and is what it is. Also you normally can not get all the blade into one of these, and wind up with part of the blade ground down, and part not touched. Just because it is powered is not the "baddie" here. Most knife makers use grinding wheels or belts to make and sharpen a blade. A lot of people on here use a belt grinder of some sort to sharpen their blades, and some, like myself, use the paper wheels to sharpen my knives. A lot of the others use just a stone or a guide with a stone to manually sharpen their blades. (Wicked edge system, Edge pro system, Lansky, or Gatco for example) Lots of good ways to get your knives sharpened. Some even use the bottom of a coffee cup to get a good sharp edge on their knives. So, spend nothing for a coffee cup you already own, or several hundred for a guided system like the Wicked edge, or something in between. All will sharpen your knives with some knowledge and practice. That is what makes this all so much fun!

Blessings,

Omar
 
matt_b89 said:
are there any electric sharpeners that do a good job? or do they just power through the metal and tear it up?
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I 2nd this question...there has to be something that is good to sharpen quality knives without fear of ruining them and at a good price? (Electric).
 
Wavester said:
I 2nd this question...there has to be something that is good to sharpen quality knives without fear of ruining them and at a good price? (Electric).
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In experienced hands, there are lots of options, and most any powered sharpener can work fairly well when properly applied to the type of knife being sharpened. The real danger in 'electric' sharpening is if the user isn't 'experienced' yet. If pressure is too heavy, or if the blade lingers too long against the powered abrasive, there's a real danger of overheating the blade edge, and ruining the temper of the steel. Not to mention, there's a fine art in doing 'just enough' to sharpen and refine the edge in a powered sharpener, without removing much, much more steel than necessary. In a nutshell, if you really want an electric sharpener, make sure to practice a LOT on cheap knives, before putting your good blades through it.

A belt sander/grinder is probably the most versatile, for any knife. Infinite angle choices, no limits on blade size/profile, wide range of abrasive belts to choose from. The electric pull-through 'kitchen' types were designed with fairly large, wide-bladed kitchen knives in mind, on which the tang/choil of the blade or handle won't get in the way, and prevent a portion of the edge from being touched. Not to mention, no choice of abrasive to fit the steel being sharpened (most kitchen knives will usually be simpler steels, unlike high-end Spydercos, etc.), nor any option for other edge angles, as mentioned. A lot of risk, with not much return, if attempting to sharpen premium blades with a 'kitchen' sharpener.


David
 
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someone should invent an electric sharpener for premium knives....seems like there's definitely some interest. make it to where you can change what you grind with, ceramic diamonds, etc and a thing to change the angles.
 
Wavester said:
I 2nd this question...there has to be something that is good to sharpen quality knives without fear of ruining them and at a good price? (Electric).
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if you want a powered system, check out my paper wheel thread. i have used them for over 20 years and i sharpen all kinds of knives. they are not that hard to learn how to use. there is a member that lost vision in 1 eye that even uses them. after talking to me for 20 minutes he was able to get a knife shaving sharp the first time. he goes by electric on the forum and has even posted about using the wheels in my thread. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787
 
matt_b89 said:
someone should invent an electric sharpener for premium knives....seems like there's definitely some interest. make it to where you can change what you grind with, ceramic diamonds, etc and a thing to change the angles.
Click to expand...


I agree 100%.
 
matt_b89 said:
someone should invent an electric sharpener for premium knives....seems like there's definitely some interest. make it to where you can change what you grind with, ceramic diamonds, etc and a thing to change the angles.
Click to expand...

Smith's does make an electric sharpener with adjustable grinding angle for different knives. I have seen it for sale on Amazon but it is not cheap, about $150 if memory serves. The same company also does a manual "V" type pull through sharpener with adjustable edge sharpening angle. It is called the "Smith's 50264 Adjustable Manual Knife Sharpener" and is available from Amazon for about $24. The documentation gives angles for many brands and types of knives and if yours is not covered you can ask the knife manufacturer I would hope.
 
My question is why knife manufacturers don't have an automated sharpening system so that the edges come out sharp, even and set at a defined angle?
 
The biggest problem with these are that you will not be able to sharpen the knife from toe to heel.
They way the guards are positioned on the machine and the way your folders have bolsters/guards/choils etc. means you'll only be able to put it into the machine only so much.
So if you have 3 inch blade, you'll get maybe 1 and 1/2 inch sharpened. Pretty bad deal.
Get paper wheel or water stones.
 
matt_b89 said:
someone should invent an electric sharpener for premium knives....seems like there's definitely some interest. make it to where you can change what you grind with, ceramic diamonds, etc and a thing to change the angles.
Click to expand...

This one looks real interesting...

http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-45..._campaign=kd&gclid=CKb14vftg7wCFTRo7AodqAsAFg

Adjustable angles and from what I gather, it includes a booklet with the recommended angles from most manufacturers. Diamond and ceramic wheels. Manual serrated blade attachment. For those of us who don't have a degree in stones, this looks promising.
 
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