GATCO knife sharpening system...

[Clydetz]

A friend of my sister just heard that I was interested in knives & gave me this knife sharpening kit he had in storage for a number of years. Anyone have any input on this system? GATCO (The Great American Tool Company, Inc.) is the manufacturer out of Getzville, NY. Includes 3 different stones & rods; & a clamp to hold blade at set angle. Doesn't look like it has even been used.

 

[calyth]

Like the Lansky, it will take some creative work before you could sharpen a recurve blade well (like the Kershaw Boa)

 

[Eich1911]

Good system, its what I used to learn on.
Their customer service is great as well. I busted a clamp a few years back and they sent me a new one no questions asked.

Now I just do them by hand. But it was a great way to learn how angles meet up.

 

[Clydetz]

calyth & Eich1911 -
Thanks for the input! I'll give it a trial run with my small Schrade stockman - maybe it will help my sharpening technique. If it's any good, I'll work up to my Bowies (although it looks too 'small' for them).

 

[Gollnick]

I've got a Gatco. Like any sharpening tool, there is an element of "touch" involved. So, don't start off on that original Lile. Practice a few times before hitting the good stuff.

Gatco sells a fourth hone for it, an "ultra fine hone" that is, I think good to finish with. I like to put a layer of black electrical tape on the spine of the blade before clamping it if the blade is anything I want to avoid scratching, especially anything polished.

 

[Clydetz]

Thanks Chuck! I'll use the electrical tape idea on a couple of cheapos before trying to sharpen the better blades.

 

[bagman]

GATCO also do different grade diamopnd hones for it as well which are great for re-profiling hard steels.

I use my sharpmaker most of the time now except when I need to take off a lot of steel.

 

[BOK]

I prefer my 204 to the GATCO. I've not had the greatest luck with it.

I found the stones didn't have enough surface area and the steel would quickly clog them up. It was long and tedious to sharpen on that system and I could never sharpen the bigger knives efficiently.

Just my experience.