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  #1  
Old 05-15-2020, 03:23 PM
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Since I seem to find information on almost any subject here in the "Lounge", some of which severely injured the checking account, I am here asking again.

I sharpen knives the old fashioned way, with "whetrocks" as we used to call them. I get satisfactory results with them, but not bragging rights.

What will take me to the next level, and will also sharpen my wife's kitchen knives?

I have been drooling over the Sharp Maker by Spyderco. I really don't want anything with moving belts and such, I can mess up a good edge without using powered tools.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

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Old 05-15-2020, 04:03 PM
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As I could not seem to get the angles the same on both side of the blade I used a Lansky System for many years, then I discovered the Work Sharp machine.....WOW!!!

Better edges than the Lansky in minutes.....I don't think you would be disappointed in either however.

Randy
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Old 05-15-2020, 04:10 PM
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I use a small wedge I made to set the angle when using a stone,switch to a pair of ceramic rods set in a base at the correct angle to fine tune and finish with a piece of leather glued to a block of wood if I want it shaving sharp.That little wedge is handy if you haven’t sharpened anything in months.
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Old 05-15-2020, 04:19 PM
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Leon, here's a thread that might help:


http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...ght=sharpeners
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Old 05-15-2020, 04:37 PM
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I use one called V Sharp Classic II by Warthog Sharpeners, works great on kitchen knives.
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Old 05-15-2020, 04:48 PM
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Tried the Triton Wetstone machine purchased it through my local Lowes. After assembly the tensioning system would not function as soon is anything was applied onto the turning wheel surface it stopped spinning so back it went. Trying for a preowned Truhone machine.
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Old 05-15-2020, 05:51 PM
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I use the Sharpmaker. It works well for me, though I find I had to add the ultra-fine stones and a stropping block to get a really good edge.

The downsides...

You're limited to the 2 angles provided. If your knives don't use the same angles, it can be difficult to get a good edge. You'd basically have to re-grind the edge to one of the angles. I believe the diamond stones would help with that. I haven't tried them, but I believe they're more aggressive than the coarse/medium stones the kit comes with. Granted, if you can eyeball such things you can use whatever angle you want, but if you can do that why not just use a traditional whetstone?

It can get tricky if you're trying to sharpen a larger blade. 6-7" is probably the practical limit with the basic technique, though I'm sure there are ways around that.

For best results, you'll probably want to clean the stones after every sharpening.

My Sharpmaker works great for my Delicas, acceptable for some of the other knives I've tried sharpening on them.

I'm still considering getting a basic set of whetstones, though, for a little more versatility. But with its limitations in mind, the Sharpmaker works pretty well, IMO.

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Old 05-15-2020, 05:52 PM
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Well, if money is no object, look at a Wicked Edge. I did. But for me, money was an object in this case. So that’s all I did. Look.
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Old 05-15-2020, 07:30 PM
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Being somewhat old-fashioned, I'll start on a new blade with a medium Norton stone, then the fine Norton, then the Wa****a/soft Arkansas, then the black Arkansas. If I want a shiny polished edge I'll finish up with a leather strop charged with Chromium oxide. If it's a blade I've sharpened before, only the last two or three steps are necessary .
Lacking in instant gratification, but I'm retired and have plenty of time. YMMV
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Old 05-15-2020, 07:32 PM
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When it's your wife's kitchen knives, I cringe. My wife will destroy a good knife edge within a week after I sharpen them. She will constantly cut things against a hard ceramic plate, steel pan, glass cooking dish, etc. She has several nice cutting boards but just won't take the time to get them out. For her knives I use a 500 grit belt on my 1" belt sander (that has been used many times and is probably about a 1000 grit by now) and in a short minute will have an "acceptable" edge on "her" knives. On my knives, I use a Tri-Hone stone and a second razor stone to finish the edge. Touch it up a couple times a month and it stays sharp enough to shave hair.
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Old 05-15-2020, 07:49 PM
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the spyderco is super easy and efficient theres no way to mess up and only takes a few strokes and the blade is sharp had one for over 30 years.my wife uses it in the kitchen also.
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Old 05-15-2020, 07:52 PM
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Have you tried a strop? Works for me.
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Old 05-15-2020, 08:04 PM
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I have 3 Arkansas stones, been using them for years.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk
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Old 05-15-2020, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by growr View Post
As I could not seem to get the angles the same on both side of the blade I used a Lansky System for many years, then I discovered the Work Sharp machine.....WOW!!!

Better edges than the Lansky in minutes.....I don't think you would be disappointed in either however.

Randy
Interesting. I’ve had the exact opposite results. Have used a Lansky for 30 plus years. Decided to move up to a Work Sharp. Ended up giving away the work sharp, and still using the Lansky.
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Old 05-15-2020, 08:29 PM
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I use DMT diamond hones. Long lasting, use water instead of oil, and NO FLATTENING (yay!) I have the steel plate ones rather than the honeycomb ones.

Got 'em here, price seemed okay.

DMT
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Old 05-15-2020, 08:42 PM
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Work Sharp for the kitchen & utility knifes, Sharp Maker for the good stuff.
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Old 05-15-2020, 08:50 PM
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I tried Worksharp. Not at all user friendly. Then tried the Spyderco. I can’t hold the knife straight all the time.

So I went back to Lansky. Works every time.

One thing I learned about sharpening knives. Much patience is required.
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Old 05-15-2020, 08:57 PM
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I sharpen knives for a living. Tried all the various gadgets. I have 5 systems I use professionally and maybe 100 plus I tested and found lacking.

Wicked Edge is good, EZE Sharp is better. But the best is still the basic whet stones. I am currently using diamond stones but ceramic water stones are also good, especially if you are sharpening Japanese knives.

Belts, wheels, files, stones, all have there place.

Kevin
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Old 05-15-2020, 09:55 PM
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I use a medium diamond hone for new blades & a fine one for polishing the edge. Then a old fashioned butchers steel to finish. I can shave w/ them. I bought my wife a set of Swiss kitchen knives around 15 years ago, they are still in fine shape. About every 3 months she asks me to sharpen them& less than a minute on the steel & they're like new. About once every couple years they need a couple minutes on the fine hone. I can cut up a whole deer w/out re-sharpening my knives. Buy good knives, sharpen @ the correct angle the 1st time & 99% of the work is done. An occasional touch-up will suffice after that. I've carried the knife in my pocket for 25 years & cut everything you can imagine, using it daily - it's good for another 25.
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Old 05-15-2020, 10:33 PM
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I like the Dexter Russel Diamond Sharpening Steel. They are pretty aggressive when new, but they will make sharp edge fast. Touch up with a regular butchers steel.
Steve W
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Old 05-15-2020, 10:42 PM
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I've got most all of them, Lansky, Worksharp, ez lap sticks, Arkansas hard, med & soft and I can get a razor edge with all. My everyday go to is a diamond stick, a butcher steel and a diamond stone. My good knives seldom get dull and just need a touch up with the steel mainly. If the edge is rough I go with the worksharp. For axes and mower blades I use a hand grinder with a flap disc.
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Old 05-15-2020, 11:10 PM
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I've used the same Smith's 6x2 flat steel diamond hone(not listed on their current website) for at least 15 years. I think it's 600-700 grit. Still puts a nice edge that will cut curly ribbons from a cash register receipt. Though I still like to strop when I'm done.
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Old 05-15-2020, 11:13 PM
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i love my worksharp.
the guys here recommended it.
hunting knives, kitchen knives. sizzors,
garden clippers n lopers.

everything is easier when your tools are sharp.
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Old 05-16-2020, 08:50 AM
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I like the Dexter Russel Diamond Sharpening Steel. They are pretty aggressive when new, but they will make sharp edge fast. Touch up with a regular butchers steel.
Steve W
There are several diamond steels out there. The DR is a good one. Hardest part of using a steel is holding a consistent angle.

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Old 05-16-2020, 09:06 AM
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The top of the line Lansky diamond system works great once you get the hang of it. I recently took a big, thick bladed meat cleaver out of the kitchen drawer that was completely dull and had it razor sharp pretty quickly. The Lansky is actually kinda fun to use, and I got it on sale at Academy Sports for about $30.

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Old 05-16-2020, 11:16 AM
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I learned how to sharpen my knives to shaving sharp on a whetstone by watching my grandfather. Kinda proud that I can do it by hand....just takes concentration and attention to the angle.

Frequent touch-ups and never letting your knife get too dull helps in keeping that shaving sharp edge.

I now use both DMT diamond stones and Arkansas stones. The DMT's are great for touch-ups and the "black (extra-hard)" Arkansas stone will get a hair-popping edge.

Don
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Old 05-16-2020, 03:52 PM
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This is my favorite machine for sharpening knives and scissors.
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Old 05-16-2020, 03:54 PM
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Whet stones and steels for me. I also have some diamond stones but they're pretty much worn out now. And my wife can dull a knife much quicker than a week but keeping her kitchen knives sharp is my job. I have a Gerber steel I've had for about 45 years. It used to be so aggressive I could often forgo stones and start with it and then move on to finer steels and finish with a steel that's just polished stainless steel. Unfortunately I've finally worn the Gerber down to normal steel aggressiveness. I've had a Lansky for many years but don't have the patience for it. I can free hand the edge angle quite well.
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Old 05-16-2020, 09:36 PM
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I use a four sided 200-600 grit diamond hone from Harbor Freight. They work fine. For serious business I follow those up with a 1000 grit & a 6000 grit whetstone. The 6000 grit is more of a polish & gets things scary sharp!
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Old 05-17-2020, 02:54 AM
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Old 05-17-2020, 10:47 AM
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Whetstones and leather strops. Works anywhere. Doesn't require belts or electrical cords. Produces a shaving edge every time.
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Old 05-17-2020, 04:20 PM
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Old 05-17-2020, 05:25 PM
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My fastest and most convenient sharpener is the Work Sharp Field Sharpener. About the size of a large harmonica, is has coarse and fine diamond plates, a ceramic hone and a leather strop.my powered Work Sharp works well, but I have no place to leave it set up. The Field Sharpener is readily accessible and puts a shaving edge on all my knives.

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener Review By Fish With JD - Work Sharp Sharpeners
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Old 05-17-2020, 06:14 PM
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Great for axes/maddux/shovels/hoes.

Had a small bench mount hand grinder like that. Had gear reduction. Crank it fast and it would really hum.
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Old 05-17-2020, 06:15 PM
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Gimmicks......................
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Old 05-17-2020, 06:34 PM
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My fastest and most convenient sharpener is the Work Sharp Field Sharpener. About the size of a large harmonica, is has coarse and fine diamond plates, a ceramic hone and a leather strop.my powered Work Sharp works well, but I have no place to leave it set up. The Field Sharpener is readily accessible and puts a shaving edge on all my knives.

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener Review By Fish With JD - Work Sharp Sharpeners
Thanks! Looks like one I can work with, ordered.

It used to amaze me to watch my Mother sharpen the old kitchen knives on the edge of a crock mixing bowl. But it works on the old carbon steel blades.
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Old 05-17-2020, 08:17 PM
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I started with Arkansas bench stones, then worked my way through some different types of ceramic rod/stone kits (crock sticks, etc).

Then I bought a DMT Aligner kit. It was better then the different wood & plastic base kits I'd previously used. The company did send me a replacement plastic guide (under warranty). It was decent, but ...

I finally borrowed a friend's KME Sharpening Kit. It had the 4 Gold Series Diamond hones and some other neat accessories. (He's a real gadget guy. ) Like some other kits you can select from 17-30 degrees. My friend had called some of the big name makers of knives he uses to ask about the factory angles, and conveniently listed them in the instruction book. Handy.

I'm going to order one of the KME Deluxe Kits with a few more of the bells and whistles for myself. I was able to restore and put edges on a variety of fixed and folding knives. The various "micron" diamond lapping films (mounted on glass bases) give that mirror polish to the grinds, too. Now that they offer a Pen Knife set of jaws, that will make it even easier to use with my smallest gentleman's pocket knives.

Now, never discount the ability of the "user factor" to interfere with the best use of any "system" (or any tool).

FWIW, another close friend of mine has owned his Work Sharp for a couple years and he really likes it. He likes power tools. (Also a bike mechanic.) I was a bit disappointed and dismayed when he showed me the quality of the edges he put on some knives using it. Don't forget that using any power tools can let you make mistakes faster.

I came close to ordering a Wicked Edge Sharpener, but decided to stick with the KME, since I only have to focus on using one hand to work one side at a time.
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Old 05-18-2020, 02:53 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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Growing up in NYC learned how to sharpen knives using a variety of stones and oil. For a truly battered cutting edge would use one of the cheap two grit stones to get rid of any chips,dings and what have you. Soft,hard and the black hard stones in that order. Have an el cheapo $5 chinese machete that the blade is hard enough that a file litteraly skates off the blade. So with that one stones are used. Usually the cheap two grit stones and maybe a Norton stone. That'll get a razor sharp edge and will take down a 1" sapling with one swing. Never used any of the commercial sharpening setups. Even an old cane knife will respond well to a file and the cheap stone. Frank
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Old 05-18-2020, 05:53 AM
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Thanks! Looks like one I can work with, ordered.

It used to amaze me to watch my Mother sharpen the old kitchen knives on the edge of a crock mixing bowl. But it works on the old carbon steel blades.
It will work on stainless steel knives also. Unglazed ceramic in any form, rods, flat stones, crocks, is a wonderful abrasive. Flower pots and coffee mug bottoms work also.

Kevin
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Old 05-18-2020, 09:34 AM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Thanks! Looks like one I can work with, ordered.

It used to amaze me to watch my Mother sharpen the old kitchen knives on the edge of a crock mixing bowl. But it works on the old carbon steel blades.
PG......The top edge of a vehicle window will do the same thing...Old methods are good.
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Old 05-18-2020, 10:12 AM
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It will work on stainless steel knives also. Unglazed ceramic in any form, rods, flat stones, crocks, is a wonderful abrasive. Flower pots and coffee mug bottoms work also.

Kevin
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PG......The top edge of a vehicle window will do the same thing...Old methods are good.
Cool, guess I never tried it. Will have to practice my technique on one of the old butcher knives first.
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Old 05-18-2020, 10:57 AM
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I've been using the Spyderco Sharpmaker for years. Within the last year I got the diamond rods for mine. Naturally the Sharpmaker will work real well on a Spyderco knife because of the 20° angle they use on the grind.

Different knife makers will have a different grind angle on the edge. If they're ground by hand by the maker you can end up with two different grind angles on the same side of the blade and different angles from side to side. (Case) Other makers leave a rough grind on their blades. (Benchmade) A rough grind may be perfect for a large working knife; the rough grind can act like a micro-serrated edge. I try to get a smooth edge on my folders.

On a new knife I'll use a Sharpie, (no pun intended,) to blacken the edge grind, then make a few light passes on the Sharpmaker. I can tell by where the Sharpie ink has been removed just what the grind angle is. By leaning the blade slightly to the left or right I can better match the angle o' the grind. Alcohol or acetone with a Q-Tip will remove the leftover Sharpie ink. If the grind angle on knives are very different from side to side, out of the box, I'll use the diamond rods to even them out.

I've even held an aluminum oxide stone on the Sharpmaker rods to remove a lot of material on a friends knife to get a 20° edge back on it. I had sharpened his knife in the past, he dulled it, and gave it to a buddy to sharpen. The edge on his Tanto blade came back looking like a clip point-Kurki. Using the AlO2 stones and the Sharpmaker rods I was able to re-profile it at 20° and turn it into a two edged Tanto again.

Some people like the electric sharpeners others like the sharpeners with fixed angles, flat stones, or wood-fired grinding wheels. As you can tell everyone here has their own method to get the results they want. Some people want a good edge without spending a lot of time doing it. Others like spending the time putting an edge on their edc that will not only shave hair, but it will whittle hairs.

All it takes is money and a little trial and error.

Bill

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Old 05-18-2020, 01:05 PM
ggibson511960 ggibson511960 is offline
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Thumbs down Worksharp? Not

Here's a vote against the Worksharp series. There is not way around the fact that it uses a relatively small and very flexible belt, guaranteeing a a convex edge. Knife guys may argue the virtues of a convex edge, but I have found it to not be as sharp or durable. The Worksharp's indexing slots are sloppy. That means the blade angle can change as you draw it through the fixture. The moving belt system sounds great until you try to sharpen near the hilt or tip. The sloppy grooves forsake you, losing their guiding edges, so you're holding the edge manually, the very thing you bought the whiz bang sharpener to avoid. Spend money on BIG whetstones of varying grit. The Lansky works O.K., but is finicky to set up with all blade sizes and doesn't do well with larger blades. I wish I could peddle my Worksharp for 2/3 what I paid for it with a set of slightly used belts.
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Old 05-18-2020, 01:08 PM
Kid44 Kid44 is offline
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As I could not seem to get the angles the same on both side of the blade I used a Lansky System for many years, then I discovered the Work Sharp machine.....WOW!!!

Better edges than the Lansky in minutes.....I don't think you would be disappointed in either however.

Randy
Lansky system works great. I have one the needs honing oil and it is a bit messy to use and clean up. I may get all diamond stones since they can be used with water making for easy clean up.
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Old 05-18-2020, 01:41 PM
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this whetstone thing sounds great but i've trid my entire life to use whetstones.
i just fail n fail.
for people like me, the worksharp is best.
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Old 05-18-2020, 02:18 PM
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When I use a whetstone my blades are really...really bad. I am a dunce

When I use the KME set up they are near perfect.
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Old 05-18-2020, 05:22 PM
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I used a 30 x 1 Harbor Freight belt sander with a leather belt and green rouge from the woodworker's store. It worked fantastic until the sander gave out. I'll get a better one from Lowes or Home Depot. Still got the belt, though.
I shape the edge on a Presto Eversharp kitchen sharpening machine first, then that leather belt puts a shaving edge on the blade like right now. Guess I'm lazy so I rely on the machines. Works for me. And it's fast.

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Old 05-18-2020, 05:52 PM
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this whetstone thing sounds great but i've trid my entire life to use whetstones.
i just fail n fail.
for people like me, the worksharp is best.
I’ve lied my entire life about being able to put an edge on a blade. Sure, I do ok and it ends up probably a little sharper than when I started, but I’ve always been befuddled by trying to get a really sharp blade. After reading through the thread, I think I’ll try the handheld worksharp first, then maybe move up to the powered version.
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Old 05-18-2020, 10:10 PM
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i can't say enow about the power worksharp.
razor edges are easy.
th guides work fine for kitchen or hunting knives.
no guide needed for scissors.
you might be surprised how nice sharp scissors are.
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Old 05-19-2020, 07:13 AM
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Another option might be found at your farmers’ markets. You might find a gal or guy who sharpens. Supporting local small entrepreneurs is always a good thing.

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