Lanksy or Gatco or Sharpmaker?

E

elkMania

Joined
Jul 16, 2006
Messages
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I need a sharpener because I am unable to keep our knives sharp with a stone AND I need razor sharp broadheads for Archery hunting. I am somewhat of a newbie so bear with me. I have done some research and would love the Edge Pro but don't want to spend more than $60-80 MAX. I have narrowed it down to the Lansky Diamond kit, the Gatco Diamond kit, or after reading this forum the Spyderco Sharpmaker. If I get either the Lansky or Gatco diamond kits I will also get a ceramic hone.

Uses: Kitchen knives, hunting knives, and broadhead blades (slick tricks):
SlickTrickParts1.jpg


I borrowed a friend's Lansky, the regular hones not the diamond hones. It works but takes longer than I would like on both kitchen knives (we have Forschner knives) and broadhead blades. I haven't tried it on my hunting knives yet.

I found that on broadhead blades I can use an accusharp to touch them up, polish them with a cotton wheel and rouge VERY LIGHTLY and then strop them. Using the thread test I can get them nearly as sharp as a razor blade. I could not get them this sharp with the Lansky and a strop (probably need more practice.) This approach will suffice for my broadheads unless I get nicks in the blades and need a coarser approach to reset the edge.

I am leaning towards that Gatco because it looks simpler to use than the Lansky. The Gatco hones are wider and you don't have to mess with attaching the rods but it looks like it has a plastic edge holder which may not be as durable as the Lansky.

The Sharpmaker seems to get all the votes on these forums but I have 3 concerns: it won't work on broadhead blades (approx. 22 degree edge), it
could
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be hard to keep the angle straight on knives (my wife pointed this out :rolleyes: ), the number of angles is limited. However I have read that it sharpens knives much faster.

So, what would you suggest? I have a feeling I know the answer but must ask anyway ;) ....
TIA,
Bill
 
You know what I would look into? Based on your $$ criteria, speed concerns, and the fact you're already using a wheel, I'd look at paper wheels. http://www.sharpeningwheels.com They do have a bit of a learning curve, but they do an excellent job in a very short time. I'm guessing that unless you chip or damage the broadhead blades, you could just touch them up on the polishing wheel. Anyway I just thought of it since you mentioned the cotton wheel in your post.

None of the ones you mentioned are going to be very quick, if speed is a concern to you. (Where did you read the Sharpmaker was faster than the Lansky?) The only way to make the Sharpmaker quicker is to buy the diamond rods which will put the cost way up, or you can buy a coarse stone and do some work freehand, if you want to go that route. Still slow compared to other methods.

One more to look into is Razor Edge Systems http://www.razoredgesystems.com/ I thought of them because they make a guide for arrowheads.

Your best choice, if you want a control system,would be the Edge Pro... it's well worth the investment... better, faster, and more adaptable to the needs you have. I'd consider that before you rule it out based on cost.

cbw
 
Hey CBW,
Thanks for the info. I checked out the wheels, looks like something that would work well. I don't have a grinder, I used my drill. I'm not sure how easy it would be to keep the proper edge though. I didn't worry about it with the polishing I did with my broadheads, the edge was already set.

I've read the sharpmaker is faster in that you don't have to clamp the blade multiple times for large knives like you would with the Gatco or Lansky. I still like the Gatco but haven't had much feedback on it.

The edge pro does look like the way to go.

Anyone have experience with the Gatco vs. the Lansky?
thanks,
Bill
 
I have used all 4 - Edgepro, Lansky, Gatco, and Sharpmaker. My suggestion would certainly be the edgepro. It also already comes with a fine ceramic hone. It's stones will also double as bench stone it you need them to. It also puts rediculously sharp edges on everything I use it on.

All I use is the Edgepro occasionally, and the Sharpmaker alot. I only use the Edgepro once I have a pretty big secondary bevel and it starts taking longer to sharpen. I use the sharpmaker on touch ups and serrated edges.

If you have alot of serrated blades I highly recommend the Sharpmaker. It can make your serrated knives shave again.
 
Perhaps you have seen a similar commercial.

Question: What's the best sharpener for the average knife owner?

Answers:

1. The Sharpmaker.

2. The Sharpmaker.

3. The Sharpmaker.

4. All of the above.

It just plain works and does it easily. This was the first knife related product that the Spyderco company sold to the public. They sold it way before making and selling knives.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77

Not sure? Get a friends Sharpmaker DVD or buy one from Spyderco for $6.95.
 
Lansky has the better clamp the rods and hones work but are on the small side. Tip the DMT rod and hone fits and works with the Lansky system very well. I didn't care for the Gatco clamp and the rods on the hones didn't seem like they would stay tight for long. I rate the Lansky system the better of the clamp systems. I'd sugest if you want diamonds get the basic Lansky and the DMT kit and use the hones from DMT and the clamp from Lansky, probably the best cost vs performance package.
 
I have a lansky and it works, though like DB says, the stones are small. works well though, reprofiled a buck strider for a friend with a lansky (in about 4 hours) and it didnt junk my hands or anything.
 
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