Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker- A Gear Review

If you use knives for work, hobby, or in your garden the value of a sharp knife can’t be under estimated and the Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker will keep them sharp and therefore is worthy of a gear review.

Spyderco Sharpmaker

First a bit of a story on the need for a sharp knife. As a young Lineman I was using a dull knife, while trying to strip some cable. I was in a typical contorted position, hanging off of a pole pretty much upside down and I broke 2 cardinal rules! Don’t draw a knife to you and don’t work with a dull knife! This led to big bloody palm prints coming down the pole, a trip to the ER, and 8 stitches through my right thumb. Oh and lets not forget getting to watch the Doctor burn holes in my thumb nail so he could stitch right through it! A dull knife makes you apply more force to the task at hand, this doesn’t mean there is going to be a problem but if there is one it is usually worse.

With that being said I swear by the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker to keep my knives hair popping sharp. It works extremely well on the higher end steels that I favor for my knives. 154CM, S30v, and D2 aren’t the easiest to sharpen and the Sharpmaker makes quick work of them. My Sharpmaker is so old it came with a VHS on how to use it. Spyderco’s packaging sums it up pretty well:

The Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker includes two sets of high alumina ceramic stones: A pair of medium-grit (brown) 7″ x .5″ (178mm x 13mm) stones for aggressive sharpening and a set of fine (white) 7″ x .5″ (178mm x 13mm) stones for professional grade finishing. The stones are triangular for sharpening Plainedges on the flat sides and SpyderEdges (serrations) on the corners. A furrow running the length of each stone lets you sharpen pointed items like fishhooks, darts and awls. Included is a set of brass safety rods protecting the users hands while sharpening. All components snap into the self-contained ABS plastic base and lid — ready to travel with you. Die-cut into the base are keyed slots and holes fitted for the stones. They accurately set the stone’s sharpening angle at a 30 (15 each side) or 40 (20 each side) for knives and a 12.5 scissor setting. Turn the base over, a channel lets you lay two stones side-by-side (flat-side up) for use as a benchstone. The lid snaps halfway over the base creating a handhold for stability while you’re sharpening. Included is a set of brass safety rods to protect the users hands while sharpening. Ceramic stones, like glass, will break if dropped — handle carefully. Use them dry, without oil, water or lubricants. To clean: scrub stones with a plastic scouring pad and powered abrasive cleaner, let air-dry. Also autoclave safe.

Pro’s

• The Sharpmaker is easy to use and puts a scary sharp edge on a blade. It is a complete system and can be used to touch up a blade as well as for a full on re-profiling. It is really nice how the whole she-bang fits in its own box.

Con’s

• It is a bit pricey. It is a to big to carry on you or even in a Get Home Bag.

I really do love mine and don’t know what I would do without it. It does make sharpening a knife pretty much foolproof.

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