Lansky type sharpening kit

Steel-Junky

Steel-Junky

Banned
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
768
Who makes the best Lansky type sharpening kit... I own a lansky and although I don't use it for everything (I like to freehand shapren mostly)... they're dang handy and useful and the few things they do well. So I'm looking for a Lnasky type kit but the best one around who use the best stones and such. But it still needs to be the little clampy angle guide setup. I own an edge pro and do different things with each.
 
I have the Lansky and the DMT Aligner kit. The Aligner sucks in my opinion. The clamp is plastic. It bends when tightening and makes it impossible to get a consistent angle. It also won't accept thick blades.
 
Thanks for the tip on the DMT... I didn't much like it anyway because the clamp was plastic.

The Gatco looks nice... I like that it seems to have more angle options on the clamp. Does anyone know anything about the quality of their stones... basically what I like to do is build my own kit... I buy the initial deluxe kit... and then buy a few accessory stones that I perfer... (Usually an ultra fine or finer since most sharpening companies idea of fine is not mine) and then toss out the stones I have no use for (Usually the Extra Coarse as I only go that rough when repairing a knife and that's something I do in my shop at home and not on the fly which is where the kit comes in).

Also what about the quality of the clamp itself... sturdy? rickety? What's it made of?
 
Personally I use a Deluxe Lansky set, it's a little red box with the 5 different stones with the clamp, oil, and 5 rods. The clamp is very sturdy to me, it appears to be aluminum :confused: and is tightened down with a screw.

The stones range from extra coarse: 70, up to ultra fine: 1000.

I only use the kit if I plan on re-beveling a knife, otherwise I free-hand and use the ultra fine stone without the clamp.

It's very handy to have, and actually gets a uniform edge that is even easier to sharpen after the first time of using it.
 
What "J's Knives-N-More" said.
Except no free hand for me, Lansky Diamond exclusively.
Works Great for me.:thumbup:
 
I'm not knocking lansky... I own several lansky stones and kit. I like them... I'm just wondering if there is something better... The thing that interests me about the gatco is the clamp. Seems to have more angle options.
 
I have the GATCO Professional. It works great for me.

I purchased it at Cabelas. You get the stand free from them.

I added their extra fine and ultimate finishing hones. I purchased those direct from GATCO.

I finish by stropping on leather from Tandy loaded with polishing compound from Sears.

I have had it for several years and I am in need of replacing the extra coarse and coarse stones.

The only knife that I have found that will not work is a very narrow blade like a Victorinox Classic. Other than that I regularly sharpen my kitchen cutlery including a 10" chef knife with the GATCO. I have read of others clamping and moving and blending with the rod guided kits. I clamp once and sharpen, even on the 10", and have not had a problem.

I sharpen my kitchen cutlery using the 11° slot. Makes for a nice slicing knife. The 6.5" Kershaw Shun Wasabi Nakiri sharpens up real nice to 11° per side.

I have sharpened quite a few knives for guys at work and I even brought the kit to deer camp. I asked the guys if anyone need a knife sharpened. A couple of fellows pulled out their Bucks. One was a 105 and the other a 119. They were both butterknife sharp. After a short session with the GATCO I took the 105 down a bit from the factory angle and the owner was quite pleased. I tried to take the angle on the 119 down a bit but I realized that it would take more work than I wanted right then so I stuck to the factory angle and again the owner was a happy hunter.
 
have you ever used the Lansky? I ask because I'm hoping you can give me some insight on the comparison of each company's stones... The Lansky have done fine for me and I wanted to know how the stone quality compares to the Gatco... also... do you find the Gatco clamp to be pretty solid and sturdy?

To anyone who knows... the Lansky stones are about a half inch wide... anyone know how wide the Gatco stones are?
 
Steel-Junky said:
have you ever used the Lansky? I ask because I'm hoping you can give me some insight on the comparison of each company's stones... The Lansky have done fine for me and I wanted to know how the stone quality compares to the Gatco... also... do you find the Gatco clamp to be pretty solid and sturdy?

To anyone who knows... the Lansky stones are about a half inch wide... anyone know how wide the Gatco stones are?
Click to expand...

The GATCO stones are wider than the Lansky. I think they might be 3/4" wide. They see good quality to me. I wish they had an XX coarse diamond.

The GATCO clamp locks up solid and sturdy for me. I do not have any significant issuse with it.

I have never used a Lansky.

I have used a KME. With the KME you can use any stone that is I think 1" x 4". That would be nice if there were more options in that stone size. It uses a spherical bushing instead of a slot for a rod guide. I do not see that as an advantage over the slot. The bushing is infinitely adjustable from 17° to I think 35°. I like the 11° setting on the GATCO. I have found a slot that would work for every blade I have sharpened so I do not finde the infinite adjustability to be great advantage.

They are more alike than different. If I already had a Lansky I am not sure if I would be looking at a GATCO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top