Low end ( cost) sharpeners

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Bumppo

Joined
Jan 27, 2006
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I have and do not care for the Lansky system because the rods bend and I cannot get consistent edges. Is there a relatively inexpensive system that is sturdier? Actually, cost is not a major factor, but portability is. I live out of a suitcase and everything I have must pack small. The knives I sharpen have blades of no more than five inches in length, most are under four inches. Thanks.
 
If you are OK free handing, a sheet of glass and different grits of wet/dry sand paper (I would suggest 320, 400, 600 and if you want to get fancy 1200) can give you a razor edge, costs less then 20 bucks for the glass and a bunch of wet/dry paper and is a very small package.
 
Bumppo said:
I have and do not care for the Lansky system because the rods bend and I cannot get consistent edges. Is there a relatively inexpensive system that is sturdier? Actually, cost is not a major factor, but portability is. I live out of a suitcase and everything I have must pack small. The knives I sharpen have blades of no more than five inches in length, most are under four inches. Thanks.
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A dual-sided Norton India will do an awful lot, doesn't cost much, and doesn't take much room.

If size is the only issue, a Spyderco Sharpmaker packs up small into its own base.
 
You want cheap? Glue some sandpaper onto a mousepad and you can get a consistent, quality convex edge very easily. You can go up into really high grits by using paper with diamond paste on it.

Cost is almost free and the sharpening quality is very high and consistent.
 
Bumppo said:
I have and do not care for the Lansky system because the rods bend and I cannot get consistent edges. Is there a relatively inexpensive system that is sturdier? Actually, cost is not a major factor, but portability is. I live out of a suitcase and everything I have must pack small. The knives I sharpen have blades of no more than five inches in length, most are under four inches. Thanks.
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The Spyderco sharpmaker can be had for under $60, and packs into a very neat case. Durable and very user friendly, you can set it up just about anywhere and sharpen just about everything.
 
Josh K said:
The Spyderco sharpmaker can be had for under $60, and packs into a very neat case. Durable and very user friendly, you can set it up just about anywhere and sharpen just about everything.
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For that amount of money, you can buy an Edge Pro off the used market!
 
cotdt said:
You want cheap? Glue some sandpaper onto a mousepad and you can get a consistent, quality convex edge very easily. You can go up into really high grits by using paper with diamond paste on it.

Cost is almost free and the sharpening quality is very high and consistent.
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But messy, and sandpaper doesn't work so well for high carbide steels in my experience.

cotdt said:
For that amount of money, you can buy an Edge Pro off the used market!
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Using messy waterstones. With a large space footprint. Doesn't pack up small. And considering the Apex (new) goes for $150 I don't think you can find it for under $60 shipped.
 
I'd pick up a dual medium/fine Arkansas whetstone. Pack it away in a little wooden case it comes in, use it when needed. If you want real portability, keep a set of Eze-Lap Model L's around. Those things weigh next to nothing, and if you want to go Jackknife's route, you can cut down the handles and keep it in your wallet.
 
Josh K said:
But messy, and sandpaper doesn't work so well for high carbide steels in my experience.
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You can get sandpaper made from diamond particles. They work really well with even the high vanadium steels.

Josh K said:
Using messy waterstones. With a large space footprint. Doesn't pack up small. And considering the Apex (new) goes for $150 I don't think you can find it for under $60 shipped.
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Apex Edge Pro isn't that much larger than the sharpening systems mentioned on this page. It's super good at reprofiling blades which the other systems have a lot of trouble with.

It includes diamond stones which don't require water. You can also make your own stones for the system that don't require water (like using 3M diamond films).
 
YayILikePie said:
I'd pick up a dual medium/fine Arkansas whetstone. Pack it away in a little wooden case it comes in, use it when needed. If you want real portability, keep a set of Eze-Lap Model L's around. Those things weigh next to nothing, and if you want to go Jackknife's route, you can cut down the handles and keep it in your wallet.
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Sharpening freehand does not give consistent results unless you are very practiced. The OP wants something that can give consistent edge angles, which simply buying a stone would not do. Also, you'll need a set of at least 4-5 stones for the different grits.
 
cotdt said:
Sharpening freehand does not give consistent results unless you are very practiced. The OP wants something that can give consistent edge angles, which simply buying a stone would not do. Also, you'll need a set of at least 4-5 stones for the different grits.
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You speak as if you know the OP personally. I was simply offering some ideas that have worked for me. Also, it's not necessary to buy more stones if one simply wants to get a working edge that can shave hair. Sure, it's fun to get a knife to whittle hair, and it's not too difficult, but it does take some effort to maintain that edge.

For a simple sharpening system, can't really go wrong with a sharpmaker. Pick up some of those diamond rods, as well as the ultrafine, and there's a system that can handle nearly every task you need (as long as you plan on simply putting a bevel on the edge, and not convexing).
 
The sharpmaker rocks and I can't recommend it enough. But if you want cheap and consistent then just make a wooden wedge with a 20* angle and a stop block at the end of it. Then take blocks of wood and glue the sandpaper onto them. When you put them on the wedge they are now instantly at a 20* angle as well. Now hold the blade straight across horizontally and push into the sandpaper and suddenly you now have a system that holds the angle for you much like the sharpmaker only tipped on its side. You can then make different wedges at different angles if you prefer something more acute or obtuse than a 40* inclusive. :)
 
There is a DIY kit that consists of an Altoids tin and sandpaper. You can glue a piece of a mousepad on top of the tin.

Do you use undue pressure with the Lansky? I wonder why your rods bend on you. Light pressure works best. Or is it in transport and storage that they bend?
 
Hard H20, The Lansky rods bent when I pulled them out of the snaps that hold them in the box.

I like the convex edge, and do that to my knives.

I have for some reason become the "go to guy" for knife sharpening, and those people usually bring me their knives when they are dowel dull, and have to be reprofiled. It just takes too much time to convex their edges. ( this happens when I either pass through my home town on business, or when I am home on vacation)

I did convex some of their knives, but when I returned, they had tried to conventionally sharpen their knives. So why fight the beast?

I sharpen some of the guys knives who work with me, with the same basic problems. Thats why I am looking for a simple kit with angle guides. I am getting better at free sharpening, but am not yet a master.

Thanks everyone! I am getting good answers here.
 
Bumppo said:
Hard H20, The Lansky rods bent when I pulled them out of the snaps that hold them in the box.

I like the convex edge, and do that to my knives.

I have for some reason become the "go to guy" for knife sharpening, and those people usually bring me their knives when they are dowel dull, and have to be reprofiled. It just takes too much time to convex their edges. ( this happens when I either pass through my home town on business, or when I am home on vacation)

I did convex some of their knives, but when I returned, they had tried to conventionally sharpen their knives. So why fight the beast?

I sharpen some of the guys knives who work with me, with the same basic problems. Thats why I am looking for a simple kit with angle guides. I am getting better at free sharpening, but am not yet a master.

Thanks everyone! I am getting good answers here.
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Now that you mention you do a lot of sharpening, the Edge Pro Apex would work great for you. It's super fast at reprofiling and sharpening in general, especially with the diamond stones. It's also really easy to use. You can get a convex edge by adding a 2nd microbevel.
 
An edge pro won't fit in a suitcase. For portability, get a Sharpmaker and carry a leather belt with you and it will put a respectable (not perfect) edge. For me, the fines on the Sharpmaker and a belt put plenty of an edge for me and is a cheap option. Everybody has a leather belt, shop on amazon for your Sharpmaker, that's where I found mine for the best price plus free shipping.
 
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