Best sharpening sysrem for rookie

L

Lpd226

Joined
May 22, 2011
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156
Looking for suggestions on a good fairly low cost sharpening system for someone with no sharpening experience. All suggestions welcome.
 
a benchstone and a practice knife and a bunch of youtube how to sharpen videos and time,
I've got a bunch of naniwa superstones that I use for going higher than 1000 grit but that's because I bought them for straight razor sharpening, if I was to buy a sharpening system from scratch the dmt diasharp stones look/sound appealing but since I already have the waterstones I don't wanna spend the money on the dmt's.

(or you could take the sandpaper with a mousepad option that's always lowcost)
 
To save you a lot time and money just get one of the edge pro machines it's not cheap but in the long run it will save you a lot on not buying all the worth less sharpeners and that will save you money. I'm sure you will want one any way.
 
What about the sharpmaker belt system? Seems pretty simple and in my price range. However I'm not naieve and know things can be made to look simpler than they are.
 
 
It is somewhat axiomatic that you can get a good system or you can get an economical system. Why spend money on several systems as you progress?

I would strongly recommend the Edge-Pro Apex as a starter. It's reasonably priced, though not exactly cheap, and it will last a lifetime.

www.edgeproinc.com
 
I started out with a good bench stone, Arkansas style. It is double-sided, with a coarse grit on one side and finer grit on the other. Then I got some of those ceramic sticks that fit into a wooden block so as to give the proper angle just by running the knife straight down. Mine are called Beaver Teeth. That brand no longer exists, but there are plenty of the same kind of thing available. This gives a real nice finish to the edge, being of an even finer grit. I used that set-up for decades and it did me proud. I can't say I never made mistakes, but there are no mistakes that a little more elbow grease can't fix. We didn't even have You Tube videos back then; I went on what I learned in Boy Scouts. Glad I was taught well.

Recently I bought a set of Lansky stones. I like this set, too. Makes it real simple to get the angle you want. Not so good for when you have to put an edge on a very dull or abused knife -- they don't take off as much metal per swipe as a bench stone. I recently had to bring some of my girlfriend's kitchen knives back from the dead, and was mighty glad to have the bench stones to do the heavy lifting. Lots of nicks and dings to grind out. Then I used the Lansky stones to get the precise angle I wanted.

There are better sets than the Lansky system. But they are pretty dang good for 9/10 of the sharpening I do, which is to maintain an edge on an already well-sharpened blade.
 
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i have the sharpmaker and lansky, both can get a knife sharp but not scary razor sharp!

i ordered a pro pack wicked edge system and can't wait to get it!
 
lansky system!!!! to get started. You must learn how to bench sharpen it might take 8 months. that is what makes it a true skill though. Keep at it.

At first it wont make much difference what stone you use. get a cheap course and fine. Once you move up I recommend Japanese Stones. I use 220,1000,6000.
 
Ok so I picked up a smith's sharpening stone at wally world for 15$. I've got a bunch of older cheap knives that I practiced on but I have no idea what blade steel they have and only saw minimal improvement in the edge which could be because they're cheap. I then got up the courage to try my boker subcom which sports the aus 8 steel. Yeah I know its not a sebenza but I like it and didn't want to ruin it. It had a lot of hard use and had dulled pretty significantly. I was able to put a good working edge back on it and was fairly happy with the job. Albeit a $15 sharpener I had to start somewhere. Thanks for all the input and I'm glad to have joined the exciting and addictive world of knife collecting.
 
how about this system? seems to work well... only thing is, i did a little research and you can by the EXACT same belt sander at harbor freight, purchase the accesories from Edge Masters, and do it all for only around $80! I calculated it up... not a bad way to go, you are just paying wholesale =)

You will save yourself a LOT of time and frustration... there's not much to using a belt sander it you are semi-handy w/ power tools and have a steady hand.

i would definetly recommend against the sharpmaker angle rod system... i had one and, while it CAN make a knife real sharp, it literally will take hours if the knife is real dull. it is not good for actually sharpening knives, more for maintaining them.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
how about this system? seems to work well... only thing is, i did a little research and you can by the EXACT same belt sander at harbor freight, purchase the accesories from Edge Masters, and do it all for only around $80! I calculated it up... not a bad way to go, you are just paying wholesale =)

You will save yourself a LOT of time and frustration... there's not much to using a belt sander it you are semi-handy w/ power tools and have a steady hand.

i would definetly recommend against the sharpmaker angle rod system... i had one and, while it CAN make a knife real sharp, it literally will take hours if the knife is real dull. it is not good for actually sharpening knives, more for maintaining them.
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Thanks razor. I am really leaning toward a belt system due to its simplicity and the fact that I'm pretty decent with machines. I'm gonna head to harbor freight and have a look see on Friday (payday lol) and probably pick one up.
 
P2P said:
lansky system!!!! to get started. You must learn how to bench sharpen it might take 8 months. that is what makes it a true skill though. Keep at it.

At first it wont make much difference what stone you use. get a cheap course and fine. Once you move up I recommend Japanese Stones. I use 220,1000,6000.
Click to expand...

I would respectfully disagree. If one's goal is hair splitting sharpness, there are many avenues that can be followed to attain that goal without the use of bench stones or any type of freehand techniques.
 
Ben Dover said:
I would respectfully disagree. If one's goal is hair splitting sharpness, there are many avenues that can be followed to attain that goal without the use of bench stones or any type of freehand techniques.
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Can't just leave it at that. What would you recommend? Sorry I retract that I went back and saw your previous comment. But the edge pro is still a variation of free hand because your bringing the stone to the knife instead of the knife to the stone.
 
Lpd226 said:
Thanks razor. I am really leaning toward a belt system due to its simplicity and the fact that I'm pretty decent with machines. I'm gonna head to harbor freight and have a look see on Friday (payday lol) and probably pick one up.
Click to expand...

no problem bro... try looking online for a coupon and maybe you can get 20% off there at HF... they offer that once in a while. Also, It is pretty easy to find belts etc. Here, check this out... i know it refers to convexing edges, but he gives some excellent recommendations as far as which belts to start off and what grits to go with to finish your edge. hope this helps ya out man!
 
Lpd226 said:
Can't just leave it at that. What would you recommend? Sorry I retract that I went back and saw your previous comment. But the edge pro is still a variation of free hand because your bringing the stone to the knife instead of the knife to the stone.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the WEPS, then. :) Both the stones and the blades are mechanically locked into relative position, and the only thing your hands do is provide the motive force.
 
I think a great system for a newbie and someone with some experience is the DMT magnaguide Diafold. Very easy to use, and the Diamond stones can sharpen and reprofile even the newest super steels, and that is something the Sharpmaker and the Lansky have issues with.
 
The WEPS, Edge-Pro, and belt sander are all good systems.

I would never recommend the SM orthe Lansky, but they can be made to accomplish the purpose if one has sufficient determination. Even the old, obsolescent "Crock Sticks" will serve.

If one has the financial resources, the Bader and Burr King belt grinder systems are truly superb.

Bear in mind as well that a proper set of Shapton or Chocera bench stones, and the flattening equipment and supplies necessary to maintain them at optimum levels will require the expenditure of considerable more than $1,000.
 
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