If you could add just one set to your Sharpmaker what would you choose?

[zunedog31]

And why

[enduraguy]

From what little I know so far, the ultra fines. I don't see myself as a 're-profiler'. So, I'd probably rarely use the diamonds.

[KardinalSyn]

Cos I wanted them UF stones.

[Sht]

I'd take just the med & fine if I could get a 20 degree setting.

[1623]

It depends on how one treats their tools.

If you take care of your knives from day one, I feel that the UF Stones are an excellent (and affordable) addition to the Sharpmaker; they really refine and polish the edge beautifully.

If you're one that doesn't sharpen on a regular basis or damages your knives frequently, the Diamond rods will be invaluable for repair and re-profiling. In this case, the Fine Stones supplied with the kit will still give you a very nice edge.

I have both, and for me it simply completes what is already an impressive package.

[ChapmanPreferred]

I sharpen knives for other people (family, friends and/or co-workers) so the Diamond rods are more important to me.

[.357 mag]

Right know I would say UF rods. Only because I have a Edgepro for reprofiling. If I didn't have the EP, I would go with the diamond stones. The factory white stone leave a great edge.

[zunedog31]

I sharpen knives for other people (family, friends and/or co-workers) so the Diamond rods are more important to me.

I do this too. My parents have a drawer full of blunt knives that have not been sharpened... well, ever. I tried to sharpen them and it was just not working. I voted Diamond.

[akaAK]

Diamond for sure. I don't damage or abuse knifes or let them get very dull but occassionaly need to reprofile in order to maximize the usefullness of the SM (my only sharpening tools). Without the Diamonds I would be spending way too much time doing this.

Ultra Fine are on my list but the fine get a very good working edge on my knives as long as they are set up for 40 back bevel, 30 primary bevel inclusive.

[dsvirsky]

I voted for the diamond rods. I already own a pair of ultrafine rods -- bought them when they first came out -- and I don't use them.

[SolidState]

without diamond rods, it's just a sharp-keeper. With diamond rods, it's a sharp-maker.

[chuck_roxas45]

I'll probably go for the diamonds because I already have the UF's.

[bh49]

It really depend on personal needs. Some people love toothy edge, so they certainly do not need UF. Some people find diamond rods not coarse enough, so they are using something else.
I personally use UF for maintenance and congress stones for repair/reprofiling.
Need EdgePro so.

[Blerv]

The Sharpmaker is sold for people of all skill levels. I think they should sell the standard one with the M/F stones and have a kit with different angles as mentioned above with the Diamond and UF as well. That way you cover bases with a model from $40-$100 (or whatever.

[JD Spydo]

without diamond rods, it's just a sharp-keeper. With diamond rods, it's a sharp-maker.

I think "SolidState" has hit the nail directly on the head. However I did vote for the "ultra-fine" stones simply because I already have other diamond benchstones.

Really I think we even need a very aggressive extra-coarse stone of some type with the Sharpmaker. The diamond 204 rods are good but it is a relatively fine diamond stone and I believe that an extra-coarse aluminum oxide stone that would be capable of rapid stock removal would really enhance the kit quite a bit IMO. And I've been saying that for a long time now.

The 204 Sharpmaker is already the very best sharpening kit out there IMO and the addition of an extra-coarse stone would make it close to perfect.

[kbuzbee]

The Sharpmaker is sold for people of all skill levels. I think they should sell the standard one with the M/F stones and have a kit with different angles as mentioned above with the Diamond and UF as well. That way you cover bases with a model from $40-$100 (or whatever.

I'm with you on this, brother. I've love a simple way to get 20°, 24°, 28° in addition to the 30° & 40° angles.

That said, I voted diamond. As a few have pointed out, there are times you need to reprofile. And having an XC set is a wonderful idea, though I think I'd prefer diamond for those as well. Maybe not, I'd have to try both.

Ken

[jackknifeh]

For me it would be the diamond stones. I don't have a sharpmaker but do have other Spyderco ceramic stones. The coarse (brown) stones are not even close to being coarse enough to reprfile an edge in a reasonable amount of time. However the fine (white) stones will put an edge on your knives that is as sharp (and sharper) than is expected of any pocket knife. With a little experience the fine stone will get a knife sharp enough to shave arm hair with one swipe or slice toilet paper. So the UF stones aren't really NEEDED. They are nice though. I do quite a bit of reprofiling so I'd want the coarse stones first. Just my opinion.

Jack

[Blerv]

Oh doh, I realize it was "to YOUR Sharpmaker" as an addition not a marketing questions.

I would probably go diamond just because taking out an occasional chip is so much easier.

[PARATOM]

i voted UF due to the fact that i wouldnt "re-profile" an edge. I would rather make my knives super sharp. I dont use my knives in any way that would damage the edge to need to be re-profiled so UF for me

[PARATOM]

Oh doh, I realize it was "to YOUR Sharpmaker" as an addition not a marketing questions.

I would probably go diamond just because taking out an occasional chip is so much easier.

u can do this with the coarse stones that come with it though