lansky system help

[kenstogie]

I have always loved my knives and always wanted them sharp (who doesn't?) And soo I finally bought a lanky sharpening system ( deluxe w 5 stones ) I thought it would be easy or at least easier than it is and would love to know what I doing wrong. Sure my knives are sharper then they were but not as sharp as I would like them. Also I am running into couple of snags.....

----first sometimes the stone will scrape on the vise, especially at more acute angles.

----the screws on the stones loosen

----how much of the blade should I secure with the vise?

Many many thanks in advance, I know others have had these issues too.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I have always loved my knives and always wanted them sharp (who doesn't?) And soo I finally bought a lanky sharpening system ( deluxe w 5 stones ) I thought it would be easy or at least easier than it is and would love to know what I doing wrong. Sure my knives are sharper then they were but not as sharp as I would like them. Also I am running into couple of snags.....

----first sometimes the stone will scrape on the vise, especially at more acute angles.

----the screws on the stones loosen

----how much of the blade should I secure with the vise?

Many many thanks in advance, I know others have had these issues too.

I'm assuming by 'vise', you're referring to the clamp (I've often used my Lansky with my clamp held in a vise ).

Depending on blade width (narrow vs. wider), it is possible that the stones will rub against the clamp occasionally. For smaller blades, such as found on traditional pocketknives, I'm in the habit of using the machined 'notch' in the end of the clamp's jaws to hold the blade. This extends the edge away from the end of the clamp, which greatly improves access by the hones, without rubbing against the clamp:



I replaced the stock thumbscrews on my hones (for securing the rod) with some inset hex-drive screws ('set screw socket'; 10-24 x 1/4") with no head on them. They recess completely into the screw hole on the hone, using an allen wrench to tighten them down. The stock thumbscrews are more difficult to tighten by hand, and also tend to get in the way of the sharpening stroke.

For securing the blade in the clamp, use as much blade as will maintain a secure hold. Making sure the blade doesn't move or slip is the most important thing. Obviously, you'll still need to leave enough room for the hones to reach the edge, without the clamp getting in the way.