How To Lansky guided sharpening

[JoshFromOk]

What's the best way to remove the burr using the lansky? I sharpened my spyderco flat grind and I can definitely tell I'm getting a burr. I tried holding the rod at the top and even doing a light pass one slot up but it doesn't seem to be removing it. I've tried both the fine diamond and strop.

 

[777 Edge]

What's the best way to remove the burr using the lansky? I sharpened my spyderco flat grind and I can definitely tell I'm getting a burr. I tried holding the rod at the top and even doing a light pass one slot up but it doesn't seem to be removing it. I've tried both the fine diamond and strop.

Try to work more towards burr minimisation as you sharpen, rather than crude burr removal. Once you've reached burr creation on each side of your knife with the lowest grit (coarse) stone you're using, then try a few edge leading (pushing the stone up over the edge from cutting edge in the direction of the spine, not the other way around) strokes on the burr side to very lightly "grind" the burr up and away on each side. Literally just the weight of the stone for a stroke or two each side to finish off.

After this, move up to your next (finer) stone, do your sharpening with that stone and then finish off the progression of each stone with the burr minimisation I mentioned above. Once you've reached your last preference of fine grit stone (up to you how fine you want to go), you can move on and lightly strop with your leather strop (edge trailing only or you'll cut your strop).

The Lansky slots are too far apart for light burr removal or for good micro beveling, so while learning, just stay on the same slot.

 

[JoshFromOk]

Try to work more towards burr minimisation as you sharpen, rather than crude burr removal. Once you've reached burr creation on each side of your knife with the lowest grit (coarse) stone you're using, then try a few edge leading (pushing the stone up over the edge from cutting edge in the direction of the spine, not the other way around) strokes on the burr side to very lightly "grind" the burr up and away on each side.

Are you saying I should be doing the majority of the sharpening going the same direction as I would strop? The part I quoted is what's confusing me. I think that's the direction of my stroke usually unless I'm misunderstanding which is completely possible. I go the same way I was told to freehand. Act like I'm cutting a tiny sliver off the top of the stone. But he was no master sharpener.

 

[777 Edge]

Are you saying I should be doing the majority of the sharpening going the same direction as I would strop?

No, for easier finishing of general edges I'm saying the opposite of stropping. Edge leading is the same as you're mentioning about "cutting a tiny sliver off the top of the stone". Edge leading is pushing the stone over the edge in the direction from edge to spine. This will help burr minimisation when finishing off with each stone. Edge trailing strokes is like stropping strokes. Edge trailing definitely has its time and place in sharpening, but it depends on the type of stone vs type of steel used. There are exceptions to the rule depending on steel and stone types, but don't be too concerned about edge trailing strokes - for now.

When initially setting your bevel, just go ahead and sharpen / grind both ways just to remove metal - back and forth with the stone and just grinding away steel until you reach the very edge and start to form a burr. Up to that point it is generally mostly irrelevant which direction your strokes go - you're basically just removing steel to reach your edge and form a burr. From this point on (after getting a burr on both sides), try to minimise the burr (with a light touch) with edge leading strokes while finishing on each stone.

And also remember, don't use force when sharpening. Let the stones do the work, not with mechanical force. If you apply force, you will make the burr worse than it should be and you'll be deforming your edge. Let the stones do the work and basically just use the weight of your hand - especially when finishing off on each stone.

 

[JoshFromOk]

Wow, yeah after rereading what you wrote it's really obvious what you meant. Guess that means I should get to sleep. Tomorrow is my only day off the next couple weeks so I'm taking advantage haha.