Best Tool and Method for the Sharpening Challenged Like Me???

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
Hey all.

I've never been good at sharpening. I always manage to screw something up.

Right now I have a Lansky system with 4 stones and an Accusharp gadget. I can only get my pocket knives kinda sharp. The Accusharp gadget works pretty well I guess, but it doesn't get my knives razor sharp.

So, I'd like to ask you guys and gals for some help in choosing a system or tool that is as close to "idiot-proof" as possible. I want something that even a monkey could put a razor edge on any knife.

As an aside, the one thing I can do is sharpen my 2 and 3 blade broadheads with a standard mil-bastard file. I can get them pretty close to shaving sharp.

Also, I can't afford to spend a lot of money on a system. So try to keep that in mind.

Thank you kindly for your help.
LRW.
 
Keep it simple. Forget the silly gizmos and go freehand with either a two face oil stone or a diamond sharpener. If you are uncomfortable, go and buy a cheap knife to practice on. Within a few hours you will get the hang of it. It is not hard and you will be equiped to sharpen anything.

n2s
 
The biggest obstacle to getting a good sharp edge is not having a coarse enough stone and abrading the shoulder of a thick edge for ages and ages not actually contacting the apex. Go freehand, and make sure you have a good, coarse stone to set the bevel at your desired angle before moving up through other grits.
 
not2sharp said:
... If you are uncomfortable, go and buy a cheap knife to practice on...
n2s
Click to expand...

This is extremely important. Trying to learn on a knife you value will only make the process extremely nerve wracking if not distressing.

When you can get a cheap knife sharp enough that you value it for its edge, move on to your more appreciated cutlery.
 
Which Lansky set up do you have? What stones are in the kit? How are you using it? I think it's odd that you can't get a good edge with it. It's a pretty well known, reputable sharpening system. Perhaps if you give us some more detail, we can figure out what is going wrong.
 
Nalapombu said:
Hey all.

I've never been good at sharpening. I always manage to screw something up.

Right now I have a Lansky system with 4 stones and an Accusharp gadget. I can only get my pocket knives kinda sharp. The Accusharp gadget works pretty well I guess, but it doesn't get my knives razor sharp.

So, I'd like to ask you guys and gals for some help in choosing a system or tool that is as close to "idiot-proof" as possible. I want something that even a monkey could put a razor edge on any knife.

As an aside, the one thing I can do is sharpen my 2 and 3 blade broadheads with a standard mil-bastard file. I can get them pretty close to shaving sharp.

Also, I can't afford to spend a lot of money on a system. So try to keep that in mind.

Thank you kindly for your help.
LRW.
Click to expand...
I switched from lansky to kme just because I wanted bigger better stones but still use my lansky setup in the rv for touching up knives and sharpening the kitchen stuff in there
 
your lansky will do the job, and as suggested I suspect you aren't reaching the apex.
color the bevel with a sharpie marker to see your progress.
you should be able to get it sharp with even your course or extra course stones, and refine it from there.
 
totkst1 said:
I switched from lansky to kme just because I wanted bigger better stones but still use my lansky setup in the rv for touching up knives and sharpening the kitchen stuff in there
Click to expand...
As the rest have said and I should have elaborated in the quoted post reaching the apex is imperative on whichever system you use. I like the lansky system and can get knives shave sharp with it but the kme gives me more versatility and is much simpler to get to an edge imho.
 
There is a video by Gough Customs showing his sharpening method extensively.



Miso
 
not2sharp said:
Keep it simple. Forget the silly gizmos and go freehand with either a two face oil stone or a diamond sharpener. If you are uncomfortable, go and buy a cheap knife to practice on. Within a few hours you will get the hang of it. It is not hard and you will be equiped to sharpen anything.

n2s
Click to expand...


This is EXACTLY the type of thinking to stay away from. Closed minded. Like a one way road to nowhere. The username says it all! :rolleyes: And I believe them!

Sounds to me, like your issues are technique related. Your current equipment is capable of producing very sharp edges. The Accusharp will only go so far. So I would forgo using that. But your Lansky system is more than capable. The Lansky, along with a DMT Aligner kit(the same style), provided my first truly sharp edges. That was a long time ago, but they laid the first ground work for all of my sharpening. If you are dealing with high alloy steels you can add a few Lansky diamond stones to your setup fairly inexpensively.
 
Lansky also makes a "poor man's" Sharpmaker that I use for touching up from time to time. It will not bring back a really dull edge but it is great for maintenance on folders and medium sized fixed blades. Here is a review that I found with a quickie search:

https://bladereviews.com/lansky-4-rod-turn-box-crock-stick-sharpener-review/

They are under $20 everywhere that I looked so an inexpensive and easy sharpening system. They even have diamond stones available if you want to step it up.

I just saw that you said you have a 4 stone system so this may be the one that you have, if so it is capable of putting on a nice edge.
 
Hard to beat a Spyderco Sharpmaker, very effective given it's simplicity. The only caveat is that it's not as aggressive as other systems, so it takes quite a bit of time to attain the edge.
 
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DavidHoback said:
This is EXACTLY the type of thinking to stay away from. Closed minded. Like a one way road to nowhere. The username says it all! :rolleyes: And I believe them!

Sounds to me, like your issues are technique related. Your current equipment is capable of producing very sharp edges. The Accusharp will only go so far. So I would forgo using that. But your Lansky system is more than capable. The Lansky, along with a DMT Aligner kit(the same style), provided my first truly sharp edges. That was a long time ago, but they laid the first ground work for all of my sharpening. If you are dealing with high alloy steels you can add a few Lansky diamond stones to your setup fairly inexpensively.
Click to expand...
I disagree with this and agree with n2s. Once you get the "feel" for sharpening freehand you can pick up a flat rock and put a working edge on your blade. Freehand sharpening is a skill well worth pursuing and once you get it it likes riding a bicycle. It just takes a little time and persistence. It just may be a little too "old timey" for some people. If you appreciate acquired skills, this is one you may want to work on. Simple is good--Just my $.02--KV
 
kvaughn said:
I disagree with this and agree with n2s. Once you get the "feel" for sharpening freehand you can pick up a flat rock and put a working edge on your blade. Freehand sharpening is a skill well worth pursuing and once you get it it likes riding a bicycle. It just takes a little time and persistence. It just may be a little too "old timey" for some people. If you appreciate acquired skills, this is one you may want to work on. Simple is good--Just my $.02--KV
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So you "agree" with discrediting every other form of sharpening, and continue to regurgitate the lie that freehand is the ONLY credible way of doing it? Awesome! By quoting me, you are insinuating I somehow disagree with freehand sharpening. At no point have I ever said this! I agree, and always say thst freehand is a great skill to have. I learned freehand after first using the Lansky, and other guided systems first. And I am glad I mastered guided sharpening as I can no longer freehand sharpen due to my left arm/hand being paralyzed. While I do still make knives, I have found that using a guided sharpener is how I am able to achieve the kind of edges I can. Oh, and I built my own sharpener as well. Would you call IT a "silly gizmo", not worthy of sharpening? Would you care to put YOUR best sharpening against mine? I am one handed afterall? Should be easy to beat a half cripple using a silly gizmo sharpener, right? Would you make that wager? I would!
 
I think you're jumping into the realm of straw men and hyperbole here. He sure didn't say any of that.
 
I do not see the reasoning behind recommending freehand sharpening in this case. The OP said he's "sharpening challenged." He has a good solution in his possession with the Lansky. He just needs to improve his technique with it.
 
Again 42? Kinda funny how you continue to answer after me quite often.

So, how am I drastically exagerating it? He quoted me, then said "I disagree with this and agree with doesntknowhowtosharpen" He then went on to say the great things about freehand, insinuating I have doscredited it. So tell me 42, who is saying something out of context?

Do you honestly believe I don't know what you are doing? You want to test my resolve?
 
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wvdavidr said:
I do not see the reasoning behind recommending freehand sharpening in this case. The OP said he's "sharpening challenged." He has a good solution in his possession with the Lansky. He just needs to improve his technique with it.
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Thank you! This was my point. Unfortunately just as some die hard knife forgers ACTUALLY believe the steel in a FORGED knife is somehow "better" than a blade made from stock removal, there are also SOME who believe freehand sharpening is the only style worthy of knowing because it somehow makes a sharper edge at the nano level or something. Both are absolute LIES, that can easily be disproved! These people, however, still won't believe, as there hypocrisy is like that of the Democrat party!
 
DavidHoback said:
So you "agree" with discrediting every other form of sharpening, and continue to regurgitate the lie that freehand is the ONLY credible way of doing it? Awesome! By quoting me, you are insinuating I somehow disagree with freehand sharpening. At no point have I ever said this! I agree, and always say thst freehand is a great skill to have. I learned freehand after first using the Lansky, and other guided systems first. And I am glad I mastered guided sharpening as I can no longer freehand sharpen due to my left arm/hand being paralyzed. While I do still make knives, I have found that using a guided sharpener is how I am able to achieve the kind of edges I can. Oh, and I built my own sharpener as well. Would you call IT a "silly gizmo", not worthy of sharpening? Would you care to put YOUR best sharpening against mine? I am one handed afterall? Should be easy to beat a half cripple using a silly gizmo sharpener, right? Would you make that wager? I would!
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I didn't "discredit" or "lie" or call anything a "silly gizmo". I know whats worked for me for 60+ years. Kinda jumpy aren't ya? Sorry about your disability.--KV
 
Gents, take it down a notch. This is a hobby forum. Hobbies are supposed to be fun.
Thank you. I appreciate that. But no need to be sorry for me. I'm very blessed by The Lord.

I'm not jumpy at all. Just can't stand people quoting me, then talking from their ARSE!

Calling all other ways to something other than yours "silly gizmos", i.e., discrediting them, is just wrong! Saying you AGREE with what that person said, is also saying you are discrediting the other ways of doing it. I can prove that there is no "best". As was said, the OP mentioned he has trouble sharpening sharpening. He is already asking for guided sharpening. So, why would you try to lead him in the opposite direction. Learn to help! Stop discrediting!
 
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