Just got a Lansky - couple questions

[nuggetz]

I finally picked up a Lanksy after much debate between going all out for an Edge Pro Apex but decided I'd save some coin since I don't have that many knives. Needed something to reprofile my edges as I wasn't getting the best results from my Sharpmaker. I have some questions:

* Does anyone make any after market rods for the lansky that are dead straight?

* Is my Lansky defective? The numbers for the angle marks are on the back and not the front. No big deal as I've memorized which ones are which but why would they be on the back?

* I picked up the saphire and ultra-fine hones. If I wanted to flatten these out, does it matter what grit my diamond stones are? Does it matter in general when flattening bench stones?

* I bought the lansky clamp and it sucks ass. There's too much play when attaching the lansky to it. It just wobbles around. A little masking tape kinda-sorta fixed it but you would have thought 2 parts from the same company would mate perfectly.

 

[pinnah]

I get blades hair popping sharp with my Lansky but you may be asking more from it than I do. Comments in-line.

I finally picked up a Lanksy after much debate between going all out for an Edge Pro Apex but decided I'd save some coin since I don't have that many knives. Needed something to reprofile my edges as I wasn't getting the best results from my Sharpmaker. I have some questions:

* Does anyone make any after market rods for the lansky that are dead straight?

The system strikes a balance between accuracy and usability. Accuracy in this context is "accurate enough" to get a reasonably accurate edge. For me, this far surpasses what I can do by hand.

I store my rods in the stones in a case per-assembled and only occasionally get the straightness of the rods by rolling them on a flat counter top. I true them up by hand to minimize (not eliminate, but minimize) visible wobble. Given the other variations in the system, going beyond this is senseless to me.

* Is my Lansky defective? The numbers for the angle marks are on the back and not the front. No big deal as I've memorized which ones are which but why would they be on the back?

Not how I would have done it either but not a defect in terms of functionality.

* I picked up the saphire and ultra-fine hones. If I wanted to flatten these out, does it matter what grit my diamond stones are? Does it matter in general when flattening bench stones?

Given the shape of the Lansky stones and the movement used against the edge, I've never worried about flattening them. YMMV.

* I bought the lansky clamp and it sucks ass. There's too much play when attaching the lansky to it. It just wobbles around. A little masking tape kinda-sorta fixed it but you would have thought 2 parts from the same company would mate perfectly.

I borrowed a buddy's for a trial run and prefer using the system in my hands. I don't think the bench mount is meant to be rock solid. I think you're still expected to hold the knife stable with one hand while using the stone with your strong hand. The bench mount just makes it easier.

Hope this helps.