All About Pocket Knives

I have read lots of great reviews on the Sharp Maker.
Finally got one. Read the directions, saw the video, and wonder if I am doing something wrong. At each of the 4 steps in sharpeneing I have used as many as 60 strokes on each side of the blade. Don't seem to making much headway.

Any ideas? Anyone else have one of these?

For me the rod sharpeners are used for quick touch-ups only. Butchers like em alot. To get the even degree edge and foundation, and the fine razor edge, I always use a few rocks of different corseness.

You cant beat em for that touch-up while doing a longer term cutting job with them.

Hawke wrote:For me the rod sharpeners are used for quick touch-ups only. Butchers like em alot. To get the even degree edge and foundation, and the fine razor edge, I always use a few rocks of different corseness.

You cant beat em for that touch-up while doing a longer term cutting job with them.

Do you like Arkansas stones, or Water Stones, or another type?
I have been considering a soft Arkansas stone first and then try the rods again as a second step.

My most used rocks..

Top double surface course(gray) medium(red)
bottom is a diamond rock

and middle is a very unique rock. I got it from a steam plant where I work when they were rebuilding a coal pulverizer machine. Its ceramic and has been rubbed fairly smooth by the coal going by. This creates heat too so in a way it may be heat tempered some. They line the inside with this ceramic. I got this small piece and rubbed one side real smooth with a the diamond rock and use the ceramic now for final smooth off of the edge. It will create a very smooth fine razor edge.

The best around Ive ever used is some Lansky style sharpener tho. It helps you keep the same angle very nicely.

gotta have my diamond bench stone!