Lansky question

matthew krissak · Oct 17, 2016

I was thinking of trying out the Lansky system. My friend has one and gets great results. I was debating between the natural Arkansas system with 3 stones and getting the diamond system with 4 stones. I would probably also but the strop and super sapphire hones as well with either system I get.

Anyone input on either would be fantastic!

Cheers

115Italian · Oct 17, 2016

Diamond kit is a great idea. You can easily sharpen any steel. The sapphire stone is great for finishing the edge after sharpening but i think you may need to use the yellow ceramic after the fine stone and before the saphirre to achive a mirror edge.

John Watson · Oct 17, 2016

I have the original stones and added a extra-course diamond for re-profiling. The system works great. As hard as I try, i can't get as straight bevels free hand. Some steels I am able to get shaving shap free hand and some I revert to the Lansky.

malaverdiere · Oct 17, 2016

I've been using the deluxe system with synthetic stones and I'm mostly satisfied. That being said, I encourage you to go for a system with a continuous angle selection instead. Otherwise you essentially have to reprofile every knife...

irona · Oct 17, 2016

Diamond lasts longer and might cut faster, but I've been using the stones a lot and have had no problem with them deforming or taking too long.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jpm2 · Oct 17, 2016

malaverdiere said:
That being said, I encourage you to go for a system with a continuous angle selection instead. Otherwise you essentially have to reprofile every knife...

Don't know why people keep saying this, I can match any angle with a lansky.

Ajack60 · Oct 17, 2016

Get the basic system first to see if you'll like it. You can always buy the diamonds individually.
If you take your time, use a sharpie and remember the placement of the knife blade being sharpened, the system works fine. I've had one for years and have good results with it. As with any guided system, placement of the blade is critical.

walkamile · Oct 18, 2016

You won't regret getting the diamond stone set first. Its usually faster and less messy (ie no oil). Take a look at the Gatco system as well. It is a very similar setup but the stones are wider, the stones are easier to hold onto in my opinion, and the guide rods slide into the stone for storage.

Lansky vs Gatco is a preference thing. I find the Gatco a little nicer for my needs. Take a look at both and decide for yourself.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

Kai Winters · Oct 18, 2016

I have the Arknasas hones and diamond hones...they are great and do a very good job imo. I also bought the leather strop hone...what a waste of money. Better off buying or making a strop that has more surface.

malaverdiere · Oct 18, 2016

jpm2 said:
Don't know why people keep saying this, I can match any angle with a lansky.

Woah. I'm guessing that it involves a trial-and-error approach with the various angle selectors and repositioning the knife ever so slightly - which would take me while.

My friend, you have to make a video showing your wizardry. You'll save me lots of time!

walkamile · Oct 18, 2016

You can tweak the angle on a Lansky to some extent by moving the rod higher or lower in the position where it connects to the back of the stone and also by moving the blade in and out of the clamp. If you use the sharpie trick a few adjustments as previously mentioned its not too time consuming to get a matching angle to the knife without a full on reprofile.

jpm2 · Oct 18, 2016

malaverdiere said:
Woah. I'm guessing that it involves a trial-and-error approach with the various angle selectors and repositioning the knife ever so slightly - which would take me while.

My friend, you have to make a video showing your wizardry. You'll save me lots of time!

No need for a video. As walkamile said, mark the edge with sharpie, use your finest stone and adjust it to match the angle by moving the rod higher/lower. Shouldn't take more than a few tries, and a couple minutes. It's the same trial and error procedure you would have to go through with any guided system to match an unknown angle.
The degree marks on the clamp are at the obtuse end of the range for each hole. You can go significantly more acute than each hole is marked. The 17 and 20 degree holes I find have at least a 10 degree range. Haven't used, or checked the other two.
Use your phone clinometer app and see for yourself.