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- Dec 13, 2010
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Good bad?
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Anyone familiar with Lansky?
- Thread starter HardTripper
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- Oct 21, 2010
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- 552
I found it really annoying to try and hold it still and found the guide rod system a bit floppy. For the price though, it does indeed work and represents a good value at that.
I prefer my EdgePro Apex and my freehand stones, but neither setup is in the same ballpark price wise.
I prefer my EdgePro Apex and my freehand stones, but neither setup is in the same ballpark price wise.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
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- 13,537
Let me begin by saying, 'Happy New Year!'. Best wishes to you.
Now, on with my original reply...As with any sharpener, good or bad depends on patience. The Lansky can produce some very good results, but some time & patience is required to set up the clamp on the blade. If the blade isn't clamped correctly, it will either slip/pivot side-to-side, or rock up/down. Any movement of the blade in the clamp will produce inconsistent & poor results.
The main thing is to make sure the inner clamping surfaces are completely flush with the sides of the blade, before tightening the screws down. If it isn't flush, the blade will move in the clamp. Adding some masking/painter's tape on the blade, or on the inside surfaces of the clamp, can add some 'grip' for blades that are somewhat 'slick' (polished).
Pinch the clamp to the blade with your fingers, then tighten down the forward screw until you just encounter some resistance. At that point, adjust the rear screw until it's just exerting some pressure on the inside surface of the other side of the clamp. Double-check to make sure the clamp is still flush against the blade, then gradually tighten down the screws as described above. Check for slippage/rocking of the blade in the clamp, and look at the blade end-on (with it pointed straight at you), and make sure it's not 'slanted' towards one side of the clamp or the other (that'll make for a wider bevel on one side, and narrow on the other).
As for holding the clamp while sharpening, I've always used a hobby-type vise (mounted or otherwise secured to bench/counter/table) to hold it. Just clamp the 'down' side of the clamp into a vise while sharpening one side, then flip it over in the vise when you're ready to do the other side. Lansky does make a 'pedestal' (to be screwed/clamped to bench) which allows the clamp to be supported while sharpening, but it's just basically a 'peg' upon which the clamp will sit. I don't care for it, because it allows the clamp to pivot/swivel in place. Can't be held completely still. That's why I prefer to use a vise to hold the clamp.
BTW, the same advice applies to the GATCO (I have both).
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its ok but I never got an edge as sharp as with my paper wheel system which cost half as much (minus the grinder, nearly 1/4 the cost of the diamond stone lanskey system). takes a long time and its hard to get the stone metal extensions perfectly 90 degrees or even with each other every time and occationaly you will get scratchs on the blade so watch out for the lower angles on your nice knifes. I highly suggest getting a paper wheel system but thats just me. with the lanskey i could get an edge to slice a peice of hair into 2 peices and some times 3 peices with enuf time and effort for a small pocket knife. with my paper wheel I can get every crappy knife no matter how dull or long (I have put this type of edge on my 22inch machette) to slice a peice of hair into 4 peice (layers) in about 5 mins at max! ususally it takes a lot less then that.
it comes down to how much money you wanna spend, how much effort your willing to spend, and hwo sharp of an edge you demand. for me... I like my money, I hate wasting time, and I want all my edges to be able to wittle hair but that's just me...
it comes down to how much money you wanna spend, how much effort your willing to spend, and hwo sharp of an edge you demand. for me... I like my money, I hate wasting time, and I want all my edges to be able to wittle hair but that's just me...
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- Joined
- May 6, 2010
- Messages
- 815
I have purchased two Lansky sharpening systems. The first one all the stones broke where the rod goes into the stone housing. They all developed cracks right there so that you could not tighten the rods anymore. The second set is still doing ok except for the coarse stone. I dropped it from the chair to the floor, and it broke. The stone came out of the housing.
I'm looking for a better way to sharpen my knives. Now day's I've been using just crock sticks. The Lansky's all sit in the safe now day's.
I'm looking for a better way to sharpen my knives. Now day's I've been using just crock sticks. The Lansky's all sit in the safe now day's.
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
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- 225
Could not have put it better myself. They do put a great edge without too much work. It is all my dad will use!
Is this good for someone who is unskilled in sharpening their own blades? I'm not really handy with a stone, so I thought the lansky would be perfect - it seems to take most of the guesswork out of it. From reading the above posts, it sounds like it leaves a lot to be desired. If this isnt a good system, is there something a little more "noob-proof"?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Jason B.
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Jun 13, 2007
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- 11,196
It doesn't matter what (insert magical sharpening system) you use you must still learn how to sharpen. You must obtain the knowledge and skill-set to do it effectively and consistently.
Like any skilled task it will take time and lots of mistakes before you get real good. Choose whatever system or tools you like but remember that your skill level will always be the deciding factor in the outcome of your edge.
Nothing is noob-proof.
Like any skilled task it will take time and lots of mistakes before you get real good. Choose whatever system or tools you like but remember that your skill level will always be the deciding factor in the outcome of your edge.
Nothing is noob-proof.
I felt that the GATCO and the KME had a very short learning curve with few mistakes.
I was sharpening effectively right out of the box.
After that it was a matter of deciding if I wanted to refine the work that the kit could do.
I added the extra fine and the ultimate finishing hones and found them worth the money.
Then reading about stropping I decided to take a low tech inexpensive plunge into stropping to further refine my edges. A sub $5 trip to Tandy Leather and a sub $10 trip to Sears for polishing compound I was set.
It is not magic. It is using a machine to guide your sharpening strokes.
The key is to remember that with any sharpening system the end result should be two edge bevels that meet. How finely they meet is determined by how refined you make them.
If you drag your blade across a rock, water stone, sandpaper, carbide, ceramic sticks... or if the knife is fixed and you drag the stones or diamonds across the blade the goal is the same. Make the edges meet in as refined an intersection as you need to meet your needs.
Good Luck.
I think Im going to try the KME. I like the design, and it has good reviews. Im looking into a bubble jig as well - I think it will help with sharpening and eventually I will want it when Im making my own (hope to have all the materials I need soon; now if I could just find a buddy with a belt grinder...)
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- Oct 24, 2008
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i love my lansky i had got a edge pro and got rid of it cuz i liked my lansky better
Ive had the same Lansky setup for 16+ years now-new stones at least wonse in there....not a easy answer do everything kit heck some folders-fixed blade it didnt do anything to..then again after a good steeling it did.using a leather strop between sharpening has went a long way for me.