Lansky clamp scratches the spine - any tips?

A

addylo

Joined
Oct 28, 2009
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I own both a Sharpmaker and Lansky system. Both are great but I do find I get the better results on the Lansky. The only problem with it is the clamp scratches the spine where it holds the blade. I don't really care about most of knives but I hate to unnecessarily scratch up a high-dollar blade.

Does anyone else have a problem with this or do you just not worry about it? I did a search but the only thing I came up with was a 2002 post by Keyman mentioning he uses Plasticoat to prevent scratches. I'm not sure where to get that.

Any other thoughts or ideas?
 
Post number 2, Painters tape. Everyone needs to have at least 1 roll in their home.
 
Yup, I've got PT around here somewhere. I guess that would hold enough to do the job. I'll give it a try.

Thanks!

I really need to learn to sharpen by hand some day.
 
+1 for the tape.

And also make sure everything is clean (blade, inside faces of clamp) before putting the clamp on. Bits of abrasive grit, dirt or steel swarf trapped between clamp and blade will scratch it. This is more likely what causes the scratches in the first place, as the aluminum clamp by itself wouldn't be hard enough to scratch the steel.


David
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
And also make sure everything is clean (blade, inside faces of clamp) before putting the clamp on. Bits of abrasive grit, dirt or steel swarf trapped between clamp and blade will scratch it. This is more likely what causes the scratches in the first place, as the aluminum clamp by itself wouldn't be hard enough to scratch the steel.
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That's what I would have thought. I never expected aluminum to scratch 154CM or S30V. I'll bet you're right about an abrasive on the clamp.

And I'm probably putting too much pressure or movement in my stroke when sharpening. You wouldn't think there would be that much wiggle for it to scratch.
 
addylo said:
That's what I would have thought. I never expected aluminum to scratch 154CM or S30V. I'll bet you're right about an abrasive on the clamp.

And I'm probably putting too much pressure or movement in my stroke when sharpening. You wouldn't think there would be that much wiggle for it to scratch.
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Yes, if the blade is moving in the clamp, finding a 'right' tape for the blade would be a bonus. Some tapes will slip a little bit, on either side (top, or sticky side), especially if using water/oil with the hones. Might have to experiment a bit with different tapes, to find what works best. Always good to take the strokes slow and light, as well.

154CM and S30V (especially) have hard carbides in them that'll definitely scratch blades, if some of the removed swarf gets under the clamp.


David
 
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