Thank you for the information. Rob, when one uses a crock stick type sharpener is the operation similiar to using a steel in the verticle position, except that the stick itself is angled and the knife is held at 90 degrees?
Well, somewhat. Most crock-stick-type sharpeners aren't at 90*, they're generally set about 20-22* off perpendicular. I much prefer the triangular Sharpmaker to round sticks as it's much easier to keep the tip sharp that way. With a round stick the edge maintains contact with the stick all the way along the edge 'til you reach the tip- then it tends to "drop off" or slip off the edge. Try it a few times for yourself, keeping your eye on the end of the knife.
That's not to say the round ones don't work, just that they're a bit trickier than the Sharpmaker. Check out a picture of the Sharpmaker:
The triangular rods can be used on the edge or the flat for different grits. And there are two different grits of rod, so you really get 4 grits in practical terms. And a big plus for the Sharpmaker: There are two sets of holes, one for a 15*/30* inclusive angle and the other for a 20*/40* inclusive angle.
Some long time DC'ers might wonder if I get a kickback from Spyderco as much as I flog this tool!
NO, I don't, but I own and use one myself. People tend to find sharpening to be mystifying but it doesn't have to be. There are a lot of crappy sharpeners out there that will waste your money, but between the Spyderco Sharpmaker, the Edgemaker Pro and the EdgePro Apex, nobody should have to tolerate dull knives.