I just picked up a Lansky turnbox crock stick sharpener today from the local knife shop.
It's small, pretty well idiot-proof, and managed to restore edges on a couple folders that I had been putting off because I just didn't have the time to go at them with the full lansky deluxe system with the clamps and all.
A few minutes will the crock sticks and they were all touched up, hair shaving sharp, and then a couple minutes on the strop to really refine things and I was happy.
No, it's not a great piece of kit, it's only got two sets of angles, obtuse and more-obtuse, but the rods work well for adding a micro-bevel, and it's small and clean. I think I'll drill some holes at 10, 12, and 15 per side, and then this thing will see even more use.
I doubt that it would be great for doing any sort of reprofiling, because even with the medium sticks in and applying a little pressure, it was slow going, but I've got a decent coarse benchstone to hog out blades.
This just seems to be a nice easy way to finish off a microbevel, or to give 30 seconds of attention to a blade that hasn't had any for weeks, to bring it back up to better performance.
Was it worth the $30 I paid for it? not currently, but once I've got the more acute holes drilled, probably. But if you can pick it up for $15 or so, or to give as a gift, I think that it is spot on. No sharpmaker, but still can be good for the money.
It's small, pretty well idiot-proof, and managed to restore edges on a couple folders that I had been putting off because I just didn't have the time to go at them with the full lansky deluxe system with the clamps and all.
A few minutes will the crock sticks and they were all touched up, hair shaving sharp, and then a couple minutes on the strop to really refine things and I was happy.
No, it's not a great piece of kit, it's only got two sets of angles, obtuse and more-obtuse, but the rods work well for adding a micro-bevel, and it's small and clean. I think I'll drill some holes at 10, 12, and 15 per side, and then this thing will see even more use.
I doubt that it would be great for doing any sort of reprofiling, because even with the medium sticks in and applying a little pressure, it was slow going, but I've got a decent coarse benchstone to hog out blades.
This just seems to be a nice easy way to finish off a microbevel, or to give 30 seconds of attention to a blade that hasn't had any for weeks, to bring it back up to better performance.
Was it worth the $30 I paid for it? not currently, but once I've got the more acute holes drilled, probably. But if you can pick it up for $15 or so, or to give as a gift, I think that it is spot on. No sharpmaker, but still can be good for the money.