Sharpmaker

[murphjd25]

Can't believe I never found one of these earlier in my life. Just picked up one from cabelas. Was always taught on arki stones from my grandpa, he would absolutely love this thing! Just put an even sharper edge on my new PM2 and Manix2! :-)

[Ryno]

Sharpmaker and crock sticks in general are excellent tools for sharpening. SM is a definite improvement over normal crock sticks. There are a few other sharpening tools in my drawer, but the sharpmaker does most things. You wouldn't want to reprofile a high carbide blade with the SM or tote it through the woods, but it works well for day to day stuff.

[murphjd25]

What is your opinion on leather strops? Always hear people talking about stropping there blade after they sharpen. Would that be a worthwhile investment, KP has a sweet looking one.

[Surfingringo]

Opinions vary on strops. I don't use them so I don't have much of an opinion. That said, I can take any steel to a hair whittling edge on the regular fine stones on the sharpmaker. I can also bring an edge that has lost that "crisp" bite back to that level of sharpness with 3 or 4 passes on the fine stones. I just don't really see where I would get any added benefit from using a strop.

[murphjd25]

That's kind of what I was thinking too. I am more then impressed with the sharpness I got out of the fine stones.

[farnorthdan]

I tend to agree with what other have already said and would only add that strops seem to produce about the same effect for me, a few passes on a strop bring back an edge nicely.