Lansky vs. Sharpmaker

jackthedog

jackthedog

Joined
Dec 21, 2009
Messages
873
Hi All,

I'm relatively new to the world of sharpening and my only real accomplishments so far are dulling knives while trying to learn on stones.

I also purchased a Lansky system about 3 months ago and have been getting mixed results (likely due to operator error). Almost every review I've read of the Sharpmaker makes me want to buy one. However, given that I've already invested some time and money into the Lansky, I was curious to see if the consensus is that you can get comparable results using the Lansky system? I'm using the Lansky Deluxe set and am thinking of purchasing the Sapphire hone to polish the edges.

Basically, it comes down to: is the Sharpmaker that much of an improvement and I should just take the plunge and buy it? I would mainly be sharpening kitchen knives and my EDC knives (BM, Buck, CRKT, Spyderco).

Thanks for the advice and my apologies if this is a duplicate thread, I looked but couldn't find anything similar.
 
Two different beasts that work in different ways. Which one you like mostly depends on personal preference although they both have their strengths and weaknesses. It's not really a matter of which one is "best", but more about what you're trying to do.

My advice would be to buy a Sharpmaker and try it out. You can easily sell it again if you don't like it but if you want an easy to use, excellent tool for keeping your knives sharp it's an excellent choice. Many people, such as myself, have a few different sharpening tools that are used for different applications.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums. I have the Sharpmaker, but not the Lansky. There was a thread awhile back where one forumite was lamenting the fact that he, like many of us, was getting less than satisfactory results sharpening with relatively expensive sharpening systems while he remembered his old grandfather getting razor sharp edges on old slipjoints using a cheap handheld stone.

Regardless of the system it all comes down to the user. Buy the sharpmaker if you want it's a great tool, but regardless of what system you use it will take time to develop the skill to get the most out of it. If money is an issue practice with the Lansky some more before you make the decision.

In time you may have an array of various systems and a drawer full of diamond stones from XXC to EEF, but it'll still be up to you to use them correctly and that takes time and practice. There are a lot of threads on this forum about sharpening read all you can and practice, practice, practice. Good Luck.
 
Thanks for the replies. I think I'm probably going to get the Sharpmaker. If nothing else, I'd really like to try it. Also, thank you for pointing out the "different systems for different uses" idea. I hadn't really thought of that.

Thanks again and it's safe to assume this hobby will consume a bunch of money, right?
 
There are waaayyy worse, expensive, hobbies than knives. Having two horses, one in training, costs me, conservatively, (I don't ask to see all the bills) 2 to 3 thousand a month. Buying and owning some types of boats can be expensive. The good thing, among many, about knives, is that you can get into it gradually without an initial major investment....only to find out that you really don't like X sport as much as you thought. Just learning how to sharpen and going through all the trials and tribulations that you are is, eventually, part of the joy. When you finally figure out a particular way to get the job done....it is bliss. Just keep telling yourself, "if it were easy, anybody could do it" and it wouldn't be as much fun.
 
jagger67, don't even get me started on horses.

I do like the aspect of buying knives incrementally and sharpening seems like the next natural step. It seems silly to me to not learn how to do it if you're going to own them.

Thanks again for all the input.
 
jackthedog said:
I do like the aspect of buying knives incrementally and sharpening seems like the next natural step. It seems silly to me to not learn how to do it if you're going to own them.
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Get out a couple of your old kitchen knives or go buy a couple of el cheapo knives and practice on them. Doesn't matter if you bugger them up, just keep playing until you get the hang of it then try out your new skills on your expensive knives.
 
As gajinoz said, practice. I have a 5 stone Lansky system. I can sharpen a real dull knife (from the bay) in less than an hour. Did a beat up Schrade LB7 today. For most knives I use 25 degrees and don't be afraid to use the coarse stone to set the angle. One trick I have found is to take and put a piece of tape on the blade where the clamp is going. Keeps the clamp from sliding.
 
Thanks for the tip. I have been using tissue paper and the knife tends to slide. I think this is leading to a not so stellar edge.
 
go old school and learn free hand on diamond stones, but dia sharp fine course and extra fine, this is the way i learned and it is good knowlage. theres nothing like back to basics.
 
I have these three systems (and then some!) The Lansky and GATCO work on the same principle; the knife is clamped and the moving stones are rod-guided. The Sharpmaker has its rods fixed while the knife moves.

The Lansky and GATCO offer more choices of sharpening angles than Sharpmaker, but require more setup and handling to use. The Sharpmaker is more intuitive and much easier to handle, but limited in angle choice. The Lansky stones are narrower than the GATCO stones making them more effective when sharpening recurve blades but the GATCO guide wires are thicker and stronger than the Lansky thus keeping the angles more consistant.

It's easier to sharpen longer blades with the Sharpmaker as there is no need to move the clamp down the blade as you sharpen. It's easier to sharpen short blades with either of the clamp systems as they hold the small blade securely with no wobble. The clamps give a more accurate angle than the Sharpmaker UNLESS you use the Sharpmaker very carefully, being sure to keep the blade absolutely vertical through the entire stroke.

There is no 'best.' All work very well within their design perimeters. One works better with longer blades, one works better with recurve blades, one is very simple and easier to use, another is stronger and will last longer, etc., etc., etc.! Any of them will put a shaving edge on a knife if used correctly.

Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
I have these three systems (and then some!) The Lansky and GATCO work on the same principle; the knife is clamped and the moving stones are rod-guided. The Sharpmaker has its rods fixed while the knife moves.

The Lansky and GATCO offer more choices of sharpening angles than Sharpmaker, but require more setup and handling to use. The Sharpmaker is more intuitive and much easier to handle, but limited in angle choice. The Lansky stones are narrower than the GATCO stones making them more effective when sharpening recurve blades but the GATCO guide wires are thicker and stronger than the Lansky thus keeping the angles more consistant.

It's easier to sharpen longer blades with the Sharpmaker as there is no need to move the clamp down the blade as you sharpen. It's easier to sharpen short blades with either of the clamp systems as they hold the small blade securely with no wobble. The clamps give a more accurate angle than the Sharpmaker UNLESS you use the Sharpmaker very carefully, being sure to keep the blade absolutely vertical through the entire stroke.

There is no 'best.' All work very well within their design perimeters. One works better with longer blades, one works better with recurve blades, one is very simple and easier to use, another is stronger and will last longer, etc., etc., etc.! Any of them will put a shaving edge on a knife if used correctly.

Stitchawl
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Nicely summarised. About the only thing I would add here is, get yourself an Apex Edgepro. Overcomes the limitations of the others mentioned here and is relatively easy to use, great for reprofiling and gives you a shaving sharp edge with minimal effort.
 
gajinoz said:
Nicely summarised. About the only thing I would add here is, get yourself an Apex Edgepro.
Click to expand...

I didn't add that because I thought it was too obvious. :eek:
There is no hand operated system as versatile as an EdgePro and no hand operated system produces a better edge than an EdgePro! :thumbup:

I never would have bought a Lansky or GATCO if I had purchased my Apex first. (But I would still have bought the Sharpmaker and the DMT Aligner.)
The Sharpmaker sits on the kitchen counter, and the Aligner (with wet/dry sandpaper... no stones,) stays in my backpack for long trips.

Stitchawl
 
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