Sharpening A Serrated Edge

[waredbear]

What is the best sharpener to put an edge on a SpyderEdge? I have a small round diamond file but it is smaller than the large half round edge on a serrated knife. I was sharpening my Clip-It and damaged the first serration. Is the round Spyder file the correct circle to match the half circle of the SpyderEdge?

Is it better to run a file from the blade to the edge or from the edge up the knife? Is it okay to run the file up/down the edge? Will this damage the edge? I find it easier to run the file down the edge to maintain the angle on the serration.

[d.g.g]

A Spyderco Sharpmaker of course.

I use the 40 degree rod angle and slowly sharpen both sides using the edge of the rod (not the flat part) in the same manner as a plain edged knife. Do it slowly and the edge sort of rotates in and out of the serrations.

If you sharpen it to the point where the spyderedge doesn't have any (points that is) then just keep it as a plain edge.

Don't worry about getting into each of those little serrations. They will still be there doing their good works.

Here is what Spyderco says about their Sharpmaker and serrated edges.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77

With the great steel they use in their knives I don't think you have much to worry about damaging the serrations or sharpening them off. I haven't noticed any loss in performance for my serrated Spydies!

[sovereign]

How much sharpening on the Sharpmaker before the serrations become noticeably rounded? In general, a SE blade will need less frequent sharpening also, correct?

[steeldust]

I have been sharpening 3 serrated knives on the sharpmaker for about 6 months. A standard, Pacific Salt, and a voyager. I don't see much wear but they have only been sharpened a few times except for the cs voyager in aus8 that doesn't hold an edge like a spyder. Even the tiny cs serrations don't show much wear and it has been sharpened dozens of times. The sharpmaker removes very little material and does a great job. I sharpen using the 30 degree setting.

[Chris_H]

In addition to the Sharpmaker, I've also used the 701 ProFile set to sharpen serrations. These files are curved along the sides that fit well into both sizes of the serration pattern.

I sharpened a Native (S30V) by pushing the file down the blade edge on the front side. On the back side, I layed the file [nearly] flat to remove any burr. It worked out very good. You can see where the fine file smoothed out the scratch pattern inside the serrations made by their initial cutting.

[JD Spydo]

In addition to the Sharpmaker, I've also used the 701 ProFile set to sharpen serrations. These files are curved along the sides that fit well into both sizes of the serration pattern.

I sharpened a Native (S30V) by pushing the file down the blade edge on the front side. On the back side, I layed the file [nearly] flat to remove any burr. It worked out very good. You can see where the fine file smoothed out the scratch pattern inside the serrations made by their initial cutting.

Chris I am glad to hear someone besides myself singing the praises of the 701 Profile. Most Spyder-heads totally and completely overlook this jewel of a tool.

The 701 Profile makes a dandy traveling tool. You can sharpen a myriad of edged tools with the 701. It is probably the best "unknown" Spyderco sharpening tool out there. When I was working in a Machine tool lab I used that set of 701 Profiles for something almost every day. Thumbs up for the 701

[Chris_H]

JD,

It was you & DAYWALKER (I think) who posted about your experiences & successes with the ProFile sets that gave me the itch to get them & try 'em out.

[HoB]

Sharpmaker for me with both pushing and pulling motions. If you maintain the edge well and use only the white rods it takes a long time, before you have rounded over the the serrations noticably.