Costco Diamond Sharpener

nivekkoster · Sep 4, 2006

Hi all,

I was at Costco today and I saw that they had a set of diamond sharpening tools. I can't recall the brand (Toolsmith or Worksmith, I know it's something-smith). It comes with a stone, a rod, and a smaller sharpener thing (sorry for the terminology).

Has anyone seen this? What do you think of the set? I couldn't find the price tag, but it seems like it would be good for sharpening kitchen knives.

Right now, I use this cheapo $1 stone and it doesn't work very well.

Thanks for any input.

LHD · Sep 4, 2006

It was probably a smiths. They are crap but work better than nothing if you understand that they will wear out much quicker than a quality stone and the edge quality you get will vary. I have one of thier rods for in the field touchups. Its $6 at walmart so if I lose it its not a big deal.

Stay away from the V sharpeners though, theyre crap no matter which way you cut it.

Lucky Bob · Sep 4, 2006

nivekkoster said:
Hi all,

I was at Costco today and I saw that they had a set of diamond sharpening tools. I can't recall the brand (Toolsmith or Worksmith, I know it's something-smith). It comes with a stone, a rod, and a smaller sharpener thing (sorry for the terminology).

Has anyone seen this? What do you think of the set? I couldn't find the price tag, but it seems like it would be good for sharpening kitchen knives.

Right now, I use this cheapo $1 stone and it doesn't work very well.

Thanks for any input.

I actually think I have the set you're talking about. Mine didn't come with a rod, however. If it is what I think it is, it's... usable. All I had before the diamond kit, in terms of flat stones, was a pretty fine Arkansas, which takes forever to make any difference (yeah, I know, but ya work with what ya have.) Overall, for what, 20 bucks? it's decent, it'll get "reprofiling" done.

tim8557 · Sep 4, 2006

I agree with Lucky Bob. I purchased the same gittup from COSTCO a year ago....no rod. It'll never replace my Edge Pro nor Japanese Waterstones, but then it was never meant to. It is a very portable device for keeping your knives sharpened.

We rented a house for a week in Northern Michigan this summer, and like most rentals, comes equipped with everything you need...including the dullest Kitchen Knives you 'll find (probably like in most Non-Knife Knuts kitchens). I put a very workable edge on these knives and then played a lot of golf

TorzJohnson · Sep 4, 2006

LHD said:
It was probably a smiths. They are crap but work better than nothing if you understand that they will wear out much quicker than a quality stone and the edge quality you get will vary.

I wondered about those things. They used to sell some pretty good Arkansas stones for a good price, I still have a couple of 'em.

nivekkoster · Sep 5, 2006

Thank you all for the replies. When I go back to Costco again, I'll check the price. If it's only $20 for the whole thing, I'll buy it. I have several dull kitchen knives that could use a good sharpening.

The cheapo $1 sharpening stone is just not cutting it.

SOLEIL · Sep 6, 2006

The Smiths diamond sharpeners are not crap. They are sturdier and easier to use than Lansky, and a whole lot cheaper. I have both and have not been happy with the Lansky.

LHD · Sep 6, 2006

SOLEIL said:
The Smiths diamond sharpeners are not crap. They are sturdier and easier to use than Lansky, and a whole lot cheaper. I have both and have not been happy with the Lansky.

Why are you using a V sharpener?

SOLEIL · Sep 7, 2006

I am not using one of the carbide scraper V types. Was referring to the Smiths sharpening system with diamond stones

LHD · Sep 7, 2006

SOLEIL said:
I am not using one of the carbide scraper V types. Was referring to the Smiths sharpening system with diamond stones

I went back and read the post you were referring to. My problem with smiths is thier quick wear out period. If I get 6 months out of a stone I'm lucky. Most last 3-4 months. I think I end up buying them because they are so convenient.

I would not put them up against a quality diamond benchstone like a DMT because there is no comparison.

nivekkoster · Sep 7, 2006

One more question. What kind of lubricant should I use on the diamond stone? I remember seeing a demo diamond stone in a sporting goods store and they just used water. Is water what you're suppose to use? Or are you suppose to use oil like on a regular stone?

Thanks.

Old CW4 · Sep 8, 2006

Agree. A cheap sharpener is little better than a piece of brick. I use DMT "interrupted" diamond whetstones in several grits and sizes. Also mainly use my Edge Pro, a real jewel in my opinion. BTW, easy to adapt the six inch DMT diamond stones to the edge pro. They'll fit between the holders on the rod. I drilled four holes at each corner of the plastic bases of my DMT stones for small screws. Then used two springs between each pair of screws to hold the stone to the Edge Pro rod. Could also use rubber bands. Anyway, works like a champ. If you try this, use water and no downward pressure, just the weight of the rod and stone is enough. I sprinkle water on the stone each time I reverse the knife on the guide plate.