Best Sharpener for pocket and kitchen knifes.

T

Travis91

Joined
Nov 29, 2013
Messages
21
I Need a good sharpening system thats not going to break the bank(dont want to spend over 100) to sharpen kitchen and pocket knifes mainly.. I would like something where i dont have to guess at the angles.. Ive looked at the spyderco sharpmaker.
 
Something like the Lansky or Gatco guided angle systems can be had for under $100. They will sharpen just about any knife and especially the Lansky have lots of accessory stones that can be purchased down the road.
 
I have some kitchen knives that should be tended to one of these days. This includes a couple of serrated edges, one of which has a 9" blade length.

I'm also awaiting delivery of a new Al Mar folder with the ZDP-189 steel. Any suggestions for which stones to use to maintain this blade?
 
I used Lansky 8" Crock Sticks to maintain my kitchen and pocket knives for many-many years and was always satisfied with the results. I love mine and they maintained my knives with a very useful (hair shaving) and long lasting edge. The Crock Sticks and a Steel is all I really needed to maintain nice edges.

The problem was that friends started bringing me mistreated and edge damaged knives and I found the Crock Sticks to slow and removing metal so I set myself up with both belt sander and paper wheel sharpeners which produce super edges very fast, but that's probably more than you need.


So my recommendation would be one of the V ceramic stick systems like the Lansky Crock Sticks, Idahone V-Type Ceramic Rod Sharpener, or the Spiderco Sharpmaker as they are pretty much goof proof. So for $25 - $50 you should be good to go.
 
roosterscrow said:
Snip:

The problem was that friends started bringing me mistreated and edge damaged knives and I found the Crock Sticks to slow and removing metal so I set myself up with both belt sander and paper wheel sharpeners which produce super edges very fast, but that's probably more than you need. Snip..
Click to expand...

You can save a lot of time and trouble and be set up with the paper wheels for less than $100 and a little practice with some cheap thrift store knives and be set up to sharpen any knife in about 5 minutes or so. I have had mine for about 2 1/2 years and have not regretted the purchase yet. I also have a small sharpening business on the side as I am retired and needed something to occupy my time. I also have the original Work sharp system that I use for axes and machetes. Check out Richard J's thread at the top of the "stickies" on this page for lots of good information on the paper wheels.

Blessings,

Omar
 
OHALLUM said:
You can save a lot of time and trouble and be set up with the paper wheels for less than $100 and a little practice with some cheap thrift store knives and be set up to sharpen any knife in about 5 minutes or so. I have had mine for about 2 1/2 years and have not regretted the purchase yet. I also have a small sharpening business on the side as I am retired and needed something to occupy my time. I also have the original Work sharp system that I use for axes and machetes. Check out Richard J's thread at the top of the "stickies" on this page for lots of good information on the paper wheels.

Blessings,

Omar
Click to expand...

I agree, but the OP asked for a system that was goof prof with no/very little learning curve and the V stick sharpeners fill that order well.

Travis91 said:
I would like something where i dont have to guess at the angles..
Click to expand...
 
Sharpmaker will fit the bill nicely :) Hold your blade consistently vertical, don't let your tip slide off the edge. Real easy!

I would add a strop with green compound. All under $100
 
I'd say the Spyderco SharpMaker is good, but I'd get the diamond rods, too... which will push the price up quite a bit, but worth it. I think the SharpMaker is incomplete without the diamond rods.
 
10117187934_a1b70bcc95_c.jpg

For my kitchen knives I just use the bottom of a coffee mug or soup bowl. Works like a charm.
 
I'm not opposed to the paper wheels just not sure how people hold a constant angle.. my dad has a crock stick sharpener around here somewhere that he uses im just not a huge fan of the round sticks..
 
Travis91 said:
I'm not opposed to the paper wheels just not sure how people hold a constant angle.. my dad has a crock stick sharpener around here somewhere that he uses im just not a huge fan of the round sticks..
Click to expand...

With practice you can get very even angles with the wheels. I can get an angle that is close to what you can get with a Lansky. Perfect angles are hard with any guided system when you add in the Human factor. Close is really close enough for most user knives. You have to look close at my angles to see any noticeable variations with the naked eye. (Disclamer: If I work them before I get a couple of cups of coffee down.:eek:) That is why I usually work my customer's and friend's knives in the evening.

Blessings,

Omar
 
Im thinking about getting a paper wheel system and putting a round shaped piece of plywood next to the grinder with visual marks at different angles so i have a constant reminder of where to hold the knife.
 
Only high grit stones (4000 and up) for my kitchen knives.

20131224_132058_zpseaf1458e.jpg

This 8000 grit stone does EVERYTHING for me
20130629_221140_zps885afbaa.jpg
 
Are There any differences between the brands of paper wheels? Slicing edge, Razor Sharp, Charlies?
 
Travis91 said:
Are There any differences between the brands of paper wheels? Slicing edge, Razor Sharp, Charlies?
Click to expand...

You want to get the Razor Sharp brand. You can get them from a couple of on line distributors. If you will send me an e-mail message, I will get you their web addresses, since they are not members on here and I can not list them. I will also give you my phone number and would be glad to give you some pointers that I have learned over the years that I have had mine.

Blessings,

Omar
 
I can buy alot of thrift store knifes to learn on the paper wheels before i hit the 700 dollar mark of the wicked edge.. not saying its not a worthy system.. but i dont have valuable knifes.
 
OHALLUM said:
You want to get the Razor Sharp brand. You can get them from a couple of on line distributors. If you will send me an e-mail message, I will get you their web addresses, since they are not members on here and I can not list them. I will also give you my phone number and would be glad to give you some pointers that I have learned over the years that I have had mine.

Blessings,

Omar
Click to expand...

Ive got their website, seems cheapest to get them at grizzly.. Ill take you up on that when i have one of them in front of me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top