Is This A Functional Knife Sharpening Kit?

[Bobbybirds]

Hey all,

I do a lot of handtool woodworking and can sharpen the living crap out of tools like chisels and plane irons, but hand sharpening knives well is giving me fits!

I came across this inexpensive knife sharpening system at Lee Valley Tools and was wondering if it is useable for pocket knives and worth buying? The cost is minimal but I still don't want to throw money away if this type of system is not effective...

Thoughts?

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32992&cat=1,43072,43079&ap=1

 

[akadave2]

Looks good to me. Its like a Lansky system. The "jig" works well for maintaining precise angles. I use my Lansky on nearly every knew knife I own. Its great to change profile or to sharpent a stubborn blade.

 

[Peregrin]

Looks good to me. Its like a Lansky system. The "jig" works well for maintaining precise angles. I use my Lansky on nearly every knew knife I own. Its great to change profile or to sharpent a stubborn blade.

I've used Lansky systems for 20 plus years. They won't do everything but sure are handy and fairly precise when re-profiling a blade.

 

[StaTiK]

Thoughts?

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32992&cat=1,43072,43079&ap=1

Wow, that's identical to my Gatco system. I don't particularly like the Lansky because I think the rod attachments are pretty flimsy (this was many many years ago though). The Gatco is, in my opinion, much better because the rods extend right into the plastic handles and is very secure. The Gatco stones are also wider and easier to grip.

-StaTiK-

 

[HoosierQ]

That steel looks out of place...maybe. This steel is definitely a DMT Fine Diamond hone. Looks like 12". Those are expensive...about $39.

 

[the4th]

I never cared for the set like this that I had so I ended up just using the stones without the jig to freehand sharpen my knives. The narrow stones gave me pretty nasty hand cramps after a while, but they worked.

 

[Curtis_Lowe]

I do a lot of handtool woodworking and can sharpen the living crap out of tools like chisels and plane irons, but hand sharpening knives well is giving me fits!

I have the exact opposite problem. I can sharpen the crap out of knives but sharpening chisels... I don't really wanna talk about it:grumpy:

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

It's a GATCO set (a minimal one), or an identical knock-off of one. Something in the site description is sort of odd to me:

"The 1200x ceramic hone (hone with light-blue handle) is available separately for sharpening sets purchased before September 2000.

Looks like the description of the set is somewhat out of date. (Edit: Never mind this; it implies the newer sets already have this hone included.)


David

 

[Bobbybirds]

Thanks guys... I might just give this set a try. For the money I think I can't go wrong...

 

[phillipsted]

I've used a number of different sharpening systems over the years. I gave up on Lansky/Gatco type systems several years ago - I couldn't get consistent repeatable results. Personally, I would recommend picking up a Spyderco Sharpmaker - they aren't perfect, but they are darned versatile, simple to use and can sharpen a wide variety of edged tools. They are also compact and works great in the field or at camp. And for $60, you can't go wrong...

TedP

 

[Bobbybirds]

Well I did end up buying this kit today and came home and promptly went to work. A couple pocket knives and a couple kitchen knives later, I can say with certainty they are now sharp!

The system seems to work well for me and didn't really take much to get it sorted out and sharpening. If I can give one critique I might say that if the rods were a shade longer, that might be nice. The final grit stone provided (1200 I believe) gives a nice, sharp, toothy edge that cuts up the food brilliantly, although I think maybe one higher grit would be nice on my folders. I am so used to working with woodworking edges and go all the way up to 13000 on Sigma Power II ceramic stones so this stopping at lower grits may take a bit of getting used to!

Anyways, for just over $40.00 I am satisfied for now...

 

[8steve88]

I've got several Lansky sets (it works out cheaper to build a complete system) the first thing I'd recommend is to get a small clamp-on vice to hold the clamp/knife rather than try holding it freehand. It is a lot safer and much more comfortable.
That looks to be a good set for the money and for a working edge that's all you need.
I must get one of the new Lansky strop-hones though they look intriguing. DMT have also got some Dia-Paste diamond compound in 4000, 8000, and 15000 mesh that I'm wanting to try as well.