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Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker - Long Term Report
August 25, 2005
Thomas Vickers
37 years old
Male
5 ft 11 in tall (1.8 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Tester Background:
I grew up in
the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested
woods behind the house. My style has evolved
and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking
gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am
more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the
lightest load possible
Manufacturer Information:
Manufacturer: Spyderco
Website: http:/www.spyderco.com
Total unit weight: 14.25 oz (404 g)
Fine grit stone length: 7 in (178 mm)
Medium grit stone length: 7 in (178 mm)
Safety rod length: 7 in (178 mm)
Widths available: B-4E
MSRP: $ 74.95 US
Information from Tester:
Case Measurements (closed): 2.75 x 1.25 x 7.5 in (70 x 32 x 191 mm)
Fine grit stone length: 7 in (178 mm)
Medium grit stone length: 7 in (178 mm)
Brass rod length: 7 in (178 mm)
Lid wieght: 2.15 oz (61 g)
Base weight: 3.95 oz (111 g)
Fine grit stone weight: 1.85 oz (53 g)
Medium grit stone weight: 1.55 oz (44 g)
Brass rod weight: 0.65 oz (19 g)
Total unit weight: 14.30 oz (405 g)
A Sharpening I will go:
I have been a busy little beaver when it comes to my Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker. It
took some time, but I finally sat down and watched both the DVD and VHS version of the
instructional video. I still hold to the opinion that the videos are nice, but the
instruction manual is the most important part of this system other than the sharpening
stones. It is far easier to flip to a page, read the steps necessary, and then get to
sharpening. Oh how I love the simplicity of this device!!!
Since my last report I have been sharpening just about everything
with a blade that I can get my hands on. Potato peelers, screw drivers, hatchets,
scissors, knives, and there was even a moment when I pondered sharpening my wife's paper
cutter blade (circular dingababob), but she wouldn't let me try when I couldn't promise
not to lose a finger. At this point it is simple; give me a blade to sharpen and stand
back.
I will never carry this device in my pack, but I really do consider
it a 'must have' for pre-trip and post-trip maintenance. It was definitely envy that
I saw in the eyes of fellow hikers when I pulled the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker out in the van
and touched up their knives on the way to the trailhead. YES, I used it in the car. No, it
was not a smart move, but it worked. I will finish this off with the information that my
mother in law definitely likes this sharpener since I took her dull pinking shears home
and brought them back sharper than ever. This is a real multi-tool of sharpeners in my
book.
Maintenance:
Slivers of metal tended to build up on the stones after prolonged use and I used a
scouring pad to clean the stones. Thin blades tended to take longer to clog the stones up
and with heavier blades (scissors for instance) I usually went ahead and scrubbed them
clean after a pair or two were sharpened. I can't really tell that the stones have that
much wear on them yet and I feel like I really put this tool through its paces. If I use
something as much as I have used the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, I have usually worn it out by
now.
Performance:
The Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker sharpens quickly and efficiently. I still think that the
amount of strokes to sharpen is less than the instructions call for on thinner blades, but
for heavier blades the instructions seem dead on. I will also comment that I really hated
the brass finger protection rods in the beginning, but after more than a few slips with
different knives I am very happy that they are there. I was originally scared that I would
wind up losing a finger during this test, but due to Spyderco's excellent design and my
wife insisting that I always use the brass rods, I can happily report that I still have
all my original fingers.
Conclusions:
Read the manual. The videos are informative, but I think that the manual is where the key
to success is. The Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker works on almost anything that can be
sharpened and on many that I would never have suspected could be sharpened by a clumsy
fool like myself. Not only does it sharpen quickly and easily, but is also appears to be a
very durable device that is going to last quite a while before any of the parts are going
to need replacing. I would not hesitate to recommend this device for hikers and
anyone who uses a sharp edge.
Read more reviews of Spyderco gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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