Lansky Professional or Shrade Advant-Edge sharpener?

[Major Chord]

I've been toying with the idea of picking up one of those rod guided sharpening systems that in essence mimic the Edge Pro, such as the Lansky Professional, or Schrade Advant-Edge. While I'm not an expert knife sharpener, I'm not a newbie by any means, and have been sharpening my blades to hair-popping levels with a Lansky Turn-Box and a newspaper strop for some time. I've even recently been playing around with some Arkansas stones and teaching myself freehand sharpening so that I can rejuvenate the edges on some old Camillus knives. So this purchase isn't motivated by a lack of knowhow or a desperate need for sharp knives...rather, an interest in learning and trying out new systems just to see if I can improve upon what I'm already capable of.

I trust Lansky as a company, and I have no doubt that their version of this sharpening system is slightly higher quality. However, it ships without a base, which something I'd have to purchase in addition to the sharpener itself so that I'm not stuck holding it the entire time. Being a college student on a budget...I want to save money wherever possible, just by instinct. On the flip side, they do offer a wide range of additional stones so that I can continue to experiment if I find the system to provide me with satisfactory results.

The Schrade is an all-inclusive package, but from what I've seen, there doesn't seem to be anywhere where you can buy either replacement or supplementary stones, so you're pretty much stuck with the grits they give you.

They both retail for about $30, but the bases for the Lansky are between $8 or $12, depending on whether or not I want the clamp or the base stand, which drives the cost up...which is making me lean towards the Shrade system at the moment (I know, I'm cheap, but the all-inclusive package really entices me, and if they're going to provide about the same results anyway...)

Does anyone have any input or personal experience with either system that could help influence my purchase one way or another? This isn't going to be an immediate purchase...I'll probably end up waiting a while and treating myself with a bit of my tax return...

 

[Stark Knives]

Of those two, I'd go for the Lansky. I just looked up the Shrade and it had six very bad reviews.
I'm sure someone else will also chime in.

Erd

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'd go with the Lansky. Availability of supplementary and/or replacement hones is a huge advantage. Chances are, at some future time, you'll need to replace one or two. And the wide range of choices available from Lansky will allow you to tailor your kit to your needs. That's a big plus.

As for the base, I've used a small hobby vise (Pana-Vise) to hold the clamp. Just clamp the lower half of the Lansky clamp into the vise. The plastic/nylon inserts in the Pana-Vise won't mar or damage the Lansky clamp. And it's much more stable than the base for the Lansky, which is just a post upon which the clamp will still swivel about, unless you steady it with your free hand. A vise, on the other hand, will not move at all. That really makes a difference in maintaining your focus on the hone & blade, without constantly trying to keep the setup from moving around. And for obvious reasons, if you do have to spend extra $$ on the vise, at least it'll come in handy for many, many other projects. A better investment, so far as I'm concerned.

 

[Major Chord]

Thanks for the input fellas. I''m not entirely too keen on spending nearly the cost of the system on a mount to hold it at the moment...so if I do go Lansky, I'll most likely go with one of their mounts, and figure out some way to improve it (I've read that some people just put a bit of putty or tape on the nubbin of the base to build it up a bit and stop the clamp from moving about). I'll keep the Pana-Vise mind though, and if I really do find this type of system to be something that gives me quality edges, I may end up investing in one, so thanks for bringing them to my attention Obsessed with Edges.

 

[alabamaomi]

The few times I have called and delt with the customer service staff at Lansky on small issues the support was exceptional. Above the best.

 

[camoninja]

Go for the DMT Aligner instead.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks for the input fellas. I''m not entirely too keen on spending nearly the cost of the system on a mount to hold it at the moment...so if I do go Lansky, I'll most likely go with one of their mounts, and figure out some way to improve it (I've read that some people just put a bit of putty or tape on the nubbin of the base to build it up a bit and stop the clamp from moving about). I'll keep the Pana-Vise mind though, and if I really do find this type of system to be something that gives me quality edges, I may end up investing in one, so thanks for bringing them to my attention Obsessed with Edges.

After posting about the vise yesterday, I was thinking a little more about ways to hold the clamp. I'd think it'd be pretty simple to construct something for that. Something like a piece of wood with a slot cut into it, into which the lower side of the Lansky clamp can be inserted. The block could be clamped to a bench or counter/table. My Pana-Vise is mounted to a piece of 3/4" MDF, laminated with a counter-top type material. It's about 18" square, and portable enough to put on a bench or countertop. I use some rubberized drawer/shelf liner underneath it, to keep it from slipping around. Something similar could be done with a similar base, and a block of wood mounted to it, with a slot to hold the clamp. Just an idea; don't need anything fancy or expensive to hold it. Lots of possibilities.

Regarding the suggestion of the Aligner. It's also a good system. DMT's hones are very good. I've noticed however, the Lansky clamp is better at holding very small blades, as found on traditional pocketknives. The clamps are the most significant difference between each of the guided systems (I have the Lansky, Gatco and DMT Aligner/Magna-Guide). Each have their merits, but I keep going back to the Lansky, when doing a smaller blade. Odd as it sounds, the smaller hones of the Lansky system are also a little more adept on smaller blades, allowing a little more precise control and focus on smaller sections of a blade. Any of these systems will handle medium and fairly large blades reasonably well, up to 6" - 8" length.

 

[eccvets]

I have the lanskey and its ok (not great). I'd watch out for sharpening on the lowest setting cuz it will scratch some blades. also, make sure the guide rods are 90 degrees.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I use the lowest setting whenever possible (that's my preference). There's nothing peculiar or different about the lowest setting, to make it scratch blades. The blade is clamped exactly the same when used at that setting, as with any other angle setting. The tool will not scratch the blade if set up carefully and used properly. Scratches happen when one overruns the edge with the hone and therefore runs the hone up the side of the blade. That is an issue of getting careless or rushing the process. OR, if there's dirt/grit underneath the clamp, against the blade. This can be minimized by keeping everything clean before setting up, and more so by taping the blade. It's got nothing to do with the tool itself. As with any sharpening tool, taking it slow & setting up carefully will always pay off in the finished results.