Gatco Help

Buck_Fan · Mar 1, 2009

I have a Gatco set that I use to sharpen my knives. It seems that the blades of the knives move around in the holder and it has scratched the blades.

I make sure that it is as tight as I dare make it. Any thoughts on this? Is it the system or is it me? Maybe I am pressing to hard when I sharpen.

Thanks,

Bill

vcincent · Mar 1, 2009

The DMT clamp doesn't scratch my blades, but it is made of plastic, not metal. I figure you could try wedging a piece of rubber on both sides of the blade for better retention, or simpler yet, tape both sides of the blade before clamping it.

Idaho Jarhead · Mar 1, 2009

I have been using a Gatco for years. The clamp moves around on me too. I just kind of figured it came with the territory. Some of that blue painters tape works pretty good for padding the area if you want to protect it. The thin rubber, like gasket material is a good idea though too. Could probably pick up a piece pretty cheap at wally world that would last you an eternity.

kingsolver · Mar 1, 2009

i have gatco system and also the lansky, i like the lansky better. Lansky seems to have better stones and i can get a better edge. both systems seem to let the blade wander a bit. IMHO you need to learn to properly sharpen a knife using just a stone and your own 2 hands, i got away from those systems a few years ago and get just as good of results without them.

Buck_Fan · Mar 1, 2009

kingsolver said:
i have gatco system and also the lansky, i like the lansky better. Lansky seems to have better stones and i can get a better edge. both systems seem to let the blade wander a bit. IMHO you need to learn to properly sharpen a knife using just a stone and your own 2 hands, i got away from those systems a few years ago and get just as good of results without them.

I was debating in getting tri stone set instead of the Gatco. I wish I had now. Cause I will be going to get one tomorrow. After I got mad after the knife fell out of the holder for the third time, I used the stones to free hand. Worked on. But like I said, weather permitting,

dang winter, I will be going tomorrow or soon after that to get a tri stone and am going free hand.

Bill

lerner · Mar 1, 2009

My knives always slipped out of the Lansky/Gatco jaws, especially when oil seeped in there.
I am proud to <strikeout>gloat</strikeout> anounce a solution, described at http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=623438.

[smiley for smug, self-satisfaction goes here]

Basically, I dremel a groove on each side of the knife;
then I grind the clamp's tips into a "claw"-like profile.
The clamp's claw/tooth grips into the blade's grooves.
I can clamp the blade extremely tight now - no slippage possible.

However, I still use a grinder before the coarsest stone; and use other, less-cumbersome methods for touchups.

flashlightfreak9 · Mar 2, 2009

I sent mine back.....piece of junk.

udtjim · Mar 2, 2009

I have the Diamond Gatco and have never had a problem. You don,t need much more than the eight of the stones for pressure. I have the Lansky too, I like the Gatco better, mainly because of the diamond stones. I have had one of the Lansky's for many years and have replaced the clamp a couple times.

I now use the Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander. I don't see me going back to the STONE age.