I need a quality sharpening system

F

fdd19

Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
413
stones systems etc
Ive heard mention of lanksy or something like that, and sharp maker.... basically i want something that will control the angle for me so that i can make even the dullests of knives sharp nearly effortlessly
 
sharpmaker would fit the bill nicely.

you'll still need to learn how to use it, but it's about as fool proof as you're gonna get.
 
yeah, mind, ive got a sharpening stone for 10 bux at home depot and some sharpening oil to go with it and thats served me well enough for now sharpening axes and some small folders but i have not be able to get a chinese made wannabe M9 bayonet with a hallowed out handle with a survival kit in it sharpened enough to cut (btw i got that knife for 12 dollars as a practice for sharpening). Now though i just literally got my airforce survival knife (Like 10 mins ago) and it needs a quality edge
 
Have you thought about simply getting a belt grinder? If that doesn't work for you, then I'd suggest EdgePro.
 
I've had really good results with the Sharpmaker on several different knives.:)

Like anything else, it's a bit of work until you get the "feel" of it, but it does get the job done!:D

Ben
 
dont use a belt grinder, you can waste a knife easily. i have been sharpening knives for 24 years and have used all kinds of sharpeners. i now use a set of wheels made by razor sharp. it takes some practice to learn how to use a set but it only takes a few minutes to sharpen a really dull knife compared to minutes or longer with other systems. check out this post for some input from a few other members who use the same system. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479418
 
richard j said:
dont use a belt grinder, you can waste a knife easily. i have been sharpening knives for 24 years and have used all kinds of sharpeners. i now use a set of wheels made by razor sharp. it takes some practice to learn how to use a set but it only takes a few minutes to sharpen a really dull knife compared to minutes or longer with other systems. check out this post for some input from a few other members who use the same system. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479418
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not to mention it can burn away some of the protective properties of certain steels
 
i want a variety of sharpening angles from 20 degrees (ka-bar standard) and up- can the sharpmaker do a 20 degree angle??
 
It can do either 20 per side (40 total) or 15 per side (30 total). You will see that most people here will say either try to learn to use a bench stone. Or use a sharpmaker/edgepro.

I use the sharp maker, but if you go this route which I do suggest, than I would suggest either picking up the diamond rods for it, or get a nice coarse diamond stone for rebeveling. Other than that, also get the Ultra fine rods for the system and you are set for a long time!

A strop would also help maintain that nice razor edge as well.
 
ok ive already got a sharpening stone coarse on one side and fine on the other but its really hard with big hands to get the perfect angles i need and not get cut or have the angle corrupted by knuckles dragging. Is a strop a piece of leather or similiar material that you swish the knife upon almost as if buttering it, like old barbers used on their straight razors?

ok how much will the whole system and stones like you said chinese man cost? (btw is it ok if i call you chinaman? for the sake of breifness :-) )
 
Yes please do call me Chinaman. I actually want to change my name to krazichinaman, I have that name on all my other forums. I should probally just buck up and pay the $10 name change fee.

The sharpmaker will run you around 45-50. Depending where you buy it. The Ultra fine rods cost about 10-12 per rod, so about 20-24 for a set of ultra fine rods. The diamond rods will run around 60. I know it seems really high priced, but it is your call if you should buy the diamond rods or not. Like you said earlier, you aren't all that great with a benchstone, so buying a flat diamond bench might not work for you. You do need somthing to back bevel your knives if they dont work with the sharpmaker angles. The brownish/grayish rods are not rough enough for a serious back beveling job.

A strop is basically a piece of leather loaded with some sort of polish. People here use CrO or others use Flitz, basically any sort of metal polish will work. You can also load up a piece of Post-it with the polish and it works the same. If you have an old leather belt, it would work just fine. Just make sure to get some good polish. I use the polish I bought from Homedepot "Ryobi" 2-5 micron polishing compound. I also have the other end of my strop loaded with CrO which is (0.5) microns.


BTW, you do not need all these items at once. If you are strapped for cash, just pick up the sharpmaker system first. When you have the money, pick up the Ultra Fine rods and the diamond rods. If you dont want to buy the diamond rods, than your rough stone should work just fine if you can keep the angle good for a back beveling.
 
chinaman do you know if the lansky is able to sharpen the Ontario Knife Co. Air Force Survival Knife(model 499) at its factory angle (which ive no clue what it is)?
 
I dont know what the factory angle is, but the lansky set gives you i bleive 4 angles to chose from. Either route, you should probally place your own angle onto the knife how you see fit.
 
Chinese man said:
I dont know what the factory angle is, but the lansky set gives you i bleive 4 angles to chose from. Either route, you should probally place your own angle onto the knife how you see fit.
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I agree with chineese man which ever sharpining system you choose,put your own bevel's on you'r knife ,most factory knives are sharpened by machine and of the many factory blades i've owned over the years i've found very few with the bevels even on both sides of the knife
p.s. I also have the Lansky diamond kit and i love it. free hand is best, but Lansky is much much faster
 
fdd19,
I have SharpMaker and EdgePro Apex. The EdgePro is more expensive than the basic SharpMaker. The EdgePro uses waterstone abrasives which cut a little faster and cleaner than the ceramics in the SharpMaker. The bad part is it is more cumbersom to use. The SharpMaker is very simple to set up, requires no water or oil, and works fine.

If you have the extra cash and want to experiment with sharpening at various angles and numerous abrasive grits, get the EdgePro. On the other hand, if you want to save money and save time, get the SharpMaker.

A set of bench stones would work fine, but that requires more pratice. A full set of the best benchstones will cost more than the SharpMaker or even the EdgePro.
 
matt321 said:
fdd19,
I have SharpMaker and EdgePro Apex. The EdgePro is more expensive than the basic SharpMaker. The EdgePro uses waterstone abrasives which cut a little faster and cleaner than the ceramics in the SharpMaker. The bad part is it is more cumbersom to use. The SharpMaker is very simple to set up, requires no water or oil, and works fine.

If you have the extra cash and want to experiment with sharpening at various angles and numerous abrasive grits, get the EdgePro. On the other hand, if you want to save money and save time, get the SharpMaker.

A set of bench stones would work fine, but that requires more pratice. A full set of the best benchstones will cost more than the SharpMaker or even the EdgePro.
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TY very much for that info! if its not too much trouble could you give us a more in depth pros and cons analysis of both systems? I wouldnt be the only one benefitting
 
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