Gatco, DMT or Lansky

S

soapboxpreacher

Joined
Apr 3, 2010
Messages
955
Ok I am horrible on my Sharpmaker, just cant get the felling right, I am new to it so if you guys believe I should stick with it I will roll the dice. But I have looked at other system, the guide ones seem to really be easy. I will be using it mostly for folders. I struggled with the sharpmaker tuning my ZT 0350 and had to put it on my work sharp to get it back. But the work sharp will not put a hair cutting edge on...it does pretty well and doesnt take much but it doesnt do the fine stuff as well. So I am looking at possible a different option...key word "looking". Migth just need a little more time with the sharpmaker but sharpening my S30V ZT 0350 was a pain! So if I were to do a guide system short of the Edge Pro what would be the best option. I have heard the DMT Aligner is the best holder and Gatco has the best stones but I am not sure. Oh and I have heard mixed about Lansky holder...so I am leaning away from it. Let me know. Thanks
 
I prefer the Lansky, as I like the table top clamp that they sell. Easy to mount the Lansky to any table for sharpening.

The Gatco has a stand that needs to be screwed onto a table (permanant)

The Aligner must be hand held.
 
ricklee4570 said:
I prefer the Lansky, as I like the table top clamp that they sell. Easy to mount the Lansky to any table for sharpening.

The Gatco has a stand that needs to be screwed onto a table (permanant)

The Aligner must be hand held.
Click to expand...

How well does the lansky hold the blade? I have heard very mixed.
 
I have had no problems. It holds as well as the GATCO and the Aligner in my opinion.

If you dont care about mounting to a table, then I would say the DMT Aligner is a good bet. The diamond stones are nice.
 
I prefer the DMT 'stones'. I prefer the Lansky clamp for shorter blades and the DMT clamp for bigger stuff.

Before you go spending more $$$, try holding the Sharpmaker in your hand rather than setting it on the table. Roll the sticks towards you a little and see if you don't get a better edge.
 
I use DMT Dia-Folds. I freehand with them or if I want to establish a new profile, I use the magna guide, which doesn't require any mounting to a table.

Check it out. I have all of the available diafold grits, not just the ones he's demo'ing.

[YouTube]uaqWRLrc-RA[/YouTube]
 
soapboxpreacher said:
What would you guys say is the limited length for a blade on the guide system before having to re-clamp?
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I use the GATCO and the longest knife I regularly sharpen is a 10" chef. I do the 10", 8" santuko and 6.5" nakiri with one clamp near the middle of the spine.

With the GATCO's stand I have some of those speed clamps for mounting to a surface I do not want to mar. on my work bench I ust the same hole with self tapping screws. I have been able to remove and reinstall with no problems.

Good Luck.
 
I have both the Lansky and GATCO systems. I use both of them. I've come to prefer the Lansky for most of my smaller knives & folders, and the larger (wider) stones of the GATCO are my preference for doing larger blades, like kitchen knives. Simply put, the larger stones will do more work in a single pass. On a larger blade, that's a plus. Conversely, the smaller (narrower) stones of the Lansky are better suited to following the curve of a smaller blade, and for focusing on a specific part of a blade (like the tip). In particular, the narrower Lansky hones were easier to use on my ZT-0350's recurve, when I reprofiled that blade a while back. If you do purchase the Lansky or GATCO, get the diamond set. Work will go considerably faster on your ZT-0350's S30V blade if you do it with the diamond hones.

As for mounting the clamp, here's what I do. Years ago, I mounted a small hobby-type vise (Pana-Vise) onto a scrap of laminate countertop (about 18" square). I use the vise to hold the 'down' side of my clamp (either Lansky or GATCO). Both Lansky and GATCO have their own 'holders' for the clamps, but it's basically just a peg upon which the clamp sits. I'm not too crazy about it, because the clamp pivots in place (unless you use your free hand to steady it). The vise, on the other hand, can be positioned and tightened in place, so nothing moves. This makes a BIG difference in allowing you to focus completely on the honing, without being distracted by steadying the clamp with your free hand. Less fatiguing that way too. The square section of laminate can be placed pretty much anywhere you want to put it (workbench, kitchen counter, table; I've even used it on my lap occasionally). I put a piece of rubber 'tacky mat' (such as is used to line shelves and/or drawers in the kitchen or workshop) underneath it to keep it from sliding around on the counter, although you could also clamp it to a bench if you like.
 
Thanks Obessed, I see your point on these system, I might venture into what CZIV said with the DMT looks easy and fast with more angles. plus the hones have a nice handle on them to do some small knife freehanding. I have been getting better the the Sharpmaker but I am still not crazy about it. It is getting easier but with my ZT 0350 I just can get it the way I want. I do fear a guided system is not ideal for the ZT because of its recurve. With any system, diamond seems to make life easier.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Thanks Obessed, I see your point on these system, I might venture into what CZIV said with the DMT looks easy and fast with more angles. plus the hones have a nice handle on them to do some small knife freehanding. I have been getting better the the Sharpmaker but I am still not crazy about it. It is getting easier but with my ZT 0350 I just can get it the way I want. I do fear a guided system is not ideal for the ZT because of its recurve. With any system, diamond seems to make life easier.
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I got my USMC fighting KA-BAR razor sharp by free hand sharpening with diafolds this last weekend. For my ZT 0301 I find it's easier to do freehand touching up with a Spyderco "fine" rod. It sure makes hitting those curves easier and it only cost $17 on sale at Amazon.
 
I have had all three sharpeners and used them for quite a while. I eventually gave away the Lansky in favor of the GATCO and continued using that until I purchased the DMT Aligner and diamond stones. Then I gave away the GATCO...

All three will give good edges. But no question in my mind that the DMT Aligner is the most versatile of the three, least expensive, and most portable.

Stitchawl
 
If you are looking to refine your edges the finer stones on the GATCO are great.

I have the extra fine and ultimate finishing. I also have a stropping regimen.

I seldom have to go back to the coarser grit stones. If you keep up with maintenance the finishing stones or stropping will bring an edge back.
 
cziv said:
I use DMT Dia-Folds. I freehand with them or if I want to establish a new profile, I use the magna guide, which doesn't require any mounting to a table.

Check it out. I have all of the available diafold grits, not just the ones he's demo'ing.

[YouTube]uaqWRLrc-RA[/YouTube]
Click to expand...

Do you have the gatco or lansky as well? Seems like the DMT is a better option, a big reason the stones.
 
Do you have the gatco or lansky as well? Seems like the DMT is a better option, a big reason the stones.
Click to expand...

I had a Smith's guided sharpener with 3 stones which is a poor man's Gatco or Lansky guided kit.

They have a following but all people seem to defend what they choose to buy vehemently. That said, I just kept watching the best edges on the boards and most of them came from the Edge Pro (too expensive & pain in the ass, bulky, learning curve etc) or DMT diamond stones.

I went with the Magna guide last actually. I bought all of the 2 sided flip open stones first and used them with great success. I bought the guide by itself months later. As I said I only have used it to establish a new profile on a blade.

I like to free hand sharpen the best. Even with the Dia-folds, all I do is lay my blade on the stone "flat" which exposes a gap between the edge and the stone. Then I tilt it up with the handle until they meet exactly and go to it. It literally only takes 6 to 8 swipes per side to get a nice sharp edge.

The video is true. I can't wait for Christmas - I'm getting full size 8" DMT diamond stones - around $250 but they'll last me until I'm history! :D
 
Ok I have been using the Spyderco Sharpmaker a lot more. Done several kitchen knives and it has put a pretty good edge on it. I like it but I am not sold on it. There are a few things I really dislike. For one the tip issue...you can knock one off pretty quick if you are not careful. And getting the tip razor sharp is really tough! I am not totally giving up on it because it is still quick and I believe can put a pretty good edge on a blade. But consistency is not its strong suit. So Looking at the 3 guide options it seems the DMT Diafold is really a nice way to go for it has some benefits to the others for one the angles are more flexible. Being able to use the diafolds for freehand might be nice later when I get more confident. However I really want to put a fine edge on a blade and a razor sharp hair popping tip. Are these option a good way to do it without going completely freehand?

I feel like I should just get a damn Edge Pro Apex and be done with it! Just cant stomach the cost. Most of my use is for my EDC first and far most. Mini Grips, Lawman, ZT 0350, and a HEST Folder (when it arrives). This is what I want to keep sharp for it is what I use everyday! Then Kitchen Knives which I believe the Sharpmaker can handle just find. Biggest one I have is an 8" chefs knife. Then there is my Mora 2010. My most used Fixed blade is the Mora. Pretty much all my other fixed are Fallknivens and like that are convex grinds which requires a completely different sharpening method all together.
 
cziv said:
I had a Smith's guided sharpener with 3 stones which is a poor man's Gatco or Lansky guided kit.

They have a following but all people seem to defend what they choose to buy vehemently. That said, I just kept watching the best edges on the boards and most of them came from the Edge Pro (too expensive & pain in the ass, bulky, learning curve etc) or DMT diamond stones.

I went with the Magna guide last actually. I bought all of the 2 sided flip open stones first and used them with great success. I bought the guide by itself months later. As I said I only have used it to establish a new profile on a blade.

I like to free hand sharpen the best. Even with the Dia-folds, all I do is lay my blade on the stone "flat" which exposes a gap between the edge and the stone. Then I tilt it up with the handle until they meet exactly and go to it. It literally only takes 6 to 8 swipes per side to get a nice sharp edge.

The video is true. I can't wait for Christmas - I'm getting full size 8" DMT diamond stones - around $250 but they'll last me until I'm history! :D
Click to expand...

Thanks CZIV I appreciate the honesty, experience and the knowledge! Do you have a Sharpmaker? And if you do, do you like it?
 
Well my experience with the Sharpmaker was like yours "pretty good edge" was all I could get.

I had diamond rods, ultrafines - a fortune tied up in the dumb thing. I came to realize that they're ceramics, one of the least aggressive sharpeners - made for touch-ups. Not really what you want for S30V, D-2 and other good hard steels. Even the diamond rods just felt like jagged stainless. :)

I sold it on the forum here after almost 2 yrs of struggling with it.

I wish you were sitting here for 5 minutes and could hand me a Benchmade S30V or some hard steel knife and wath me put a hair shaving sharp edge on it in just a "couple of minutes" tops, with a half dozen passes on the coarse & fine Dia-fold.

I know nothing about kitchen cutlery - I use a pull through or an electric sharpener on them. Good luck with your sharpening! :thumbup:
 
cziv said:
Well my experience with the Sharpmaker was like yours "pretty good edge" was all I could get.

I had diamond rods, ultrafines - a fortune tied up in the dumb thing. I came to realize that they're ceramics, one of the least aggressive sharpeners - made for touch-ups. Not really what you want for S30V, D-2 and other good hard steels. Even the diamond rods just felt like jagged stainless. :)

I sold it on the forum here after almost 2 yrs of struggling with it.

I wish you were sitting here for 5 minutes and could hand me a Benchmade S30V or some hard steel knife and wath me put a hair shaving sharp edge on it in just a "couple of minutes" tops, with a half dozen passes on the coarse & fine Dia-fold.

I know nothing about kitchen cutlery - I use a pull through or an electric sharpener on them. Good luck with your sharpening! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Great to know I am not alone with the sharpmaker. I am gonna put in an order for the Dia-Fold kit that has the quad folds (so it has EE, E, F, C folds). I found the kit for 60 bucks on amazon with free shipping. The sharpmaker just doesnt seem to work great on M390, S30V. I actually had to use my worksharp to get the edge back on my ZT S30V (it didnt come very well from factory) that I f'ed up on the sharpmaker because at the time I didnt know what I was doing with it.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Great to know I am not alone with the sharpmaker. I am gonna put in an order for the Dia-Fold kit that has the quad folds (so it has EE, E, F, C folds). I found the kit for 60 bucks on amazon with free shipping. The sharpmaker just doesnt seem to work great on M390, S30V. I actually had to use my worksharp to get the edge back on my ZT S30V (it didnt come very well from factory) that I f'ed up on the sharpmaker because at the time I didnt know what I was doing with it.
Click to expand...

Did you get a Magna-guide with it? You'll want to add the X-coarse diafold with those to profile edges. I got them like you did and found an X-coarse diafold later. I'm glad I did for thinning out wide bevels on hard steel.

Congrats! It's really as easy as the video. He shows the magna guide and freehanding with the diafolds. I do mostly the 6 - 8 guick swipes per side by hand and I'll bet you end up doing it too. :thumbup:
 
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