Knife sharpening system

[growr]

I have been using an Original Lansky sharpening system for many year and have actually worn out several sets of stones. My question is are there other systems that I should take a look at that do a better job or simply keep replacing stones when they wear out?

There are almost as many systems or kits as there are knives it seems. I like the quickness of the draw through types but it seems that the edge doesn't last as long a well sharpened blade on a good stone.

What say you fellow forum members?

Randy

 

[Reddog]

I like the old time hand job with a whetstone and a little spit!
Dick

 

[tlay]

I like the sharpener I have. I am not sure of the maker but it has 2 steel rods and 2 ceramic rods set into a piece of wood. Both sets are at a certain angle so it is easy to get the right sharpening angle on your blade. Works very well.

 

[walkin jack]

I have also worn out several sets of stones in the Lansky system. I can't sharpen a knife freehand for beans. I can spend 2 hour on it and then mess it up with one careless stroke. The first day I heard about the Lansky sets I went out and bought one. It was years and years ago but I think I got it at Academy.

The important things in sharpening a knife or any cutting edge are:
.same number of strokes on each side
.make each stroke from the SAME ANGLE
.after the last stroke make one very light stroke on the opposite side with the fine stone to remove the "burr"

I can pretty much hang with the first one and the last one but getting that angle the same with every stroke is just a real booger-bear for me.

I love my Lansky but on my recent Fly-Out fishing trip to Canada my BIL brought his fancy new knife sharpening system. It is made by Smith and Wesson by the way but it is very similar to the Lansky. I'll say it's a lot PRETTIER than the Lansky but a couple of the features seem somewhat awkward to me. Guess I'm just used to my Lansky and old and have trouble adapting to new stuff.

 

[Rastoff]

I like the Lansky system, but it takes some effort to use. I have used mine with great success. For knives that are really dull, it's the only tool. However, for general use to put a decent edge on my daily knife, I like this better: (click pic)

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Never had a problem with Lansky at all. No effort whatsoever. I DID replace my stones as I could find diamond ones and don't think I will ever werar them out. I had a part that got badly worn, when I contacted them about buying a new one, a replacement was sent at no charge-- after 20 years, I might add-- I don't think that kind of service can be beat.

 

[wuluf]

I still have a lansky but hardly ever use it since i bought DMT diamond stones. You have to keep a steady angle and that takes practice, but the edge I get is very sharp and the diamond stones never wear out...i'm told.

 

[Mule Packer]

I'm not familiar with the Lansky system, but from what I'm reading, it sounds very popular. Just goes to show how "old school" I am. I've been using hard Arkansas stones now for over 40 years. Will probably stick with what I know...and the Arkansas stones that I have are large enough that they haven't worn out in 40 years, so maybe there's a chance they might last me another forty.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Ceramic "crock" stick and a leather strop.
I've always kept my knives sharp, especially my kitchen knives, but this is how I keep them extremely sharp nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXHpvJiWqIY&feature=c4-overview&list=UUaxMXXoY3lCfi6yy5yjKibQ

 

[curtmini14]

spyderco sharp shaper very easy system last a life time you can clean the stones with dish soap.to reuse.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I like the Lansky system, but it takes some effort to use. I have used mine with great success. For knives that are really dull, it's the only tool. However, for general use to put a decent edge on my daily knife, I like this better: (click pic)

Ditto. I've got a 5 stone lansky system that I've used for at least 30 years now. It's my go to sharpener when knives/blades are really dull. I've also used it for the occasional gunsmithing task. I've tried others but never found their equal. That said, I find myself using a tool similar to the one shwon for quick dressings. It works pretty darn well.

 

[Hodgin]

Another vote for Spyderco. Lots of ways to sharpen a knife but I recently got a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker. Lots of you tube videos on it. Here's one.

Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker The Best Knife Sharpener - YouTube

 

[Hillbilly77]

I just bought a Lansky 5 stone system a few days ago after some members here recommended it.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but the little bit I've used it so far, it works well.

 

[2fingers]

Has anyone ever heard of the "LoRay" Knife Sharping system? I think the "Lansky" was a copy of it. Shows how old my system is and still not worn out, But it has sharpened a lot of knives.

 

[SavageSmoker]

I use a Chef's Choice three stage electric sharpener. The first stage should be used rarely to reshape dropped or badly nicked blades. The final two stages can be used more often for minor blade maintanace and honing. It keeps my Wustof knives in perfect slicing condition. A bit spendy but highly recommended.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I use a Chef's Choice three stage electric sharpener. The first stage should be used rarely to reshape dropped or badly nicked blades. The final two stages can be used more often for minor blade maintanace and honing. It keeps my Wustof knives in perfect slicing condition. A bit spendy but highly recommended.

That's the only electric sharpener that I would trust with my knives.

 

[Fishslayer]

However, for general use to put a decent edge on my daily knife, I like this better: (click pic)

^^^ This. I had seen them but kind of turned up my nose... until a fishing buddy who was a San Diego deckhand in his youth turned me on to it. Just the thing for a quick edge when cleaning fish. I use it on my wive's kitchen knifes too. For going from "blunt" to "usable" I don't think there's a better tool. For the finer edge I just use a $20 two sided diamond hone.

There's a power tool available that is essentially a mini belt sander with edge guides that a lot of people rave about.

 

[Mickey D]

I like the old time hand job with a whetstone and a little spit!
Dick

 

[SavageSmoker]

Option #2...some kitchen and culinary supply store around me will professionally sharpen knives for lime $4 each. Not a bad deal.

 

[Sven]

Soft and hard Arkansas stones, then finish off on a pair of ceramic crock sticks. I can shave the hair off the back of my hand when I get done. Sharp enough for me. . .

 

[Intheshop]

If you want to step up your game a bit.........And we're not "knife makers".But do a heck of a lot of sharpening on machine tooling and general shop equip(chisels,plane irons,lathe tools,etc.)

Look in lapidary supplies for a 3x8" expanding drum.Onto which goes belts of whatever grits you want.This,with a very basic "shelf" will do a great job for those wanting a nice hollow grind with minimal $$.

Then we go to bench stones....which come in different materials.Water,India,Arkansas,Ceramic,Diamond......using different stones for different steels.

Next is a quick trip across big buffer,giving final polish to cutting edge.

 

[gdnagle]

There's a power tool available that is essentially a mini belt sander with edge guides that a lot of people rave about.

Could be this is what you are talking about, Work Sharp WSKTS Knife and Tool Sharpener. Been looking at them and as you said good reviews but haven't bought it yet about $63 on Amazon.

 

[ralph7]

Could be this is what you are talking about, Work Sharp WSKTS Knife and Tool Sharpener. Been looking at them and as you said good reviews but haven't bought it yet about $63 on Amazon.

Harbor Freight has this or something similar.
Anybody like them?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I like the old time hand job with a whetstone and a little spit!
Dick

Sure am glad you inserted " a whetstone and" in there

Seriously though, you can't beat the Lansky kits.

 

[Richard Simmons]

I have and use the following systems:

Spyderco Sharpmaker
Lansky diamond set
Wicked Edge sharpening system
Diamond and natural flat stones

Of these systems the Sharpmaker is the fastest and easiest for maintaining a shaving sharp edge on my daily carry blades with steels from 440C, 420HC, M4, S30v, ATS-34, etc.

The Wicked Edge works the best (for me) when it comes to blades that are very dull or in need of re-profiling. The Sharpmaker will work too but even with the diamond rods it can take a long time depending on they type of steel and how dull the blade is or how much you are trying to re-profile the edge.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

If you want to step up your game a bit.........And we're not "knife makers".But do a heck of a lot of sharpening on machine tooling and general shop equip(chisels,plane irons,lathe tools,etc.)

Look in lapidary supplies for a 3x8" expanding drum.Onto which goes belts of whatever grits you want.This,with a very basic "shelf" will do a great job for those wanting a nice hollow grind with minimal $$.

Then we go to bench stones....which come in different materials.Water,India,Arkansas,Ceramic,Diamond......using different stones for different steels.

Next is a quick trip across big buffer,giving final polish to cutting edge.

I have been using the 3X8" drum with a #2 Morse Taper on my wood lathe for years. I use it on anything from axes to knives. I have belts in grits from 80 to 800.
I have also used it to make knives.

I use a felt wheel with polishing compound to polish the edge.

 

[Delos]

Look at what the professionals use

Visualize a cheese sandwich.

Now visualize making a knife from a file in the center with softer steels on both sides.

The best knives and axes have very hard carbon steel center with softer steel on both sides.

They are generally sharpened with a stone or belt. The belt does not need to be diamond, just close.

The average utility knife is surface hardened and the surface hardening is removed during excessive sharpening.

Wood carving knives and butcher knives for meat are stamped out hard steel and very thin. Butchers us a “steel” to straighten the microscopic burs on the edge.

To answer original question: Stones are good. Great responses listed above. Average person sharpening hunting knives using the V bladed kind of sharpener do not have long lasting edges because surface hardness is removed with any aggressive sharpening (as a general rule).

Read up on Gransfors Bruks axes (sorry I could not find diagrams of construction).
Gransfors-Bruks Axes

And read about the layering when making samurai swords.

All that said, some of our modern steels in the hardware store are not your grandfathers steels.

But Canadian lumberjacks use axes like I first described. And stones or belt sanders to sharpen.