Need a new sharpening system

T

TheSharpLife74

Joined
Oct 30, 2012
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450
I'm getting into higher end knives now and these $5 pocket sharpeners aren't doing me/or the knives justice anymore so what sharpening system you guys would suggest?
I would like it to be at around $50.
So far I am looking at the Spyderco Sharpmaker and the Lansky Deluxe sharpening system.
So what sharpening system would you guys suggest?

I would really appreciate all input!
Thanks
 
for 50 bucks get the sharpmaker then later on get the diamond rods and the ultra fine rods and youll have a really really good system.
 
The sharpmaker is an excellent system but it does have some limitations, the largest of which being the frustration level involved with attempting any serious reprofiling work on it. Even with the diamond rods, the sharpmaker is more of an edge maintenance tool rather than a full fledged sharpening system. It's GREAT for touch ups but anything else will have you mumbling curse words under your breath. It really should be called the sharpkeeper rather than the sharpmaker.

In reality though, I highly recommend you pick up a couple good bench stones in varying grits and learn to sharpen freehand. It takes some practice (try cheapo kitchen knives first) and a steady hand (I find a couple beers helps....) but freehand sharpening gives you a lot more versatility as well as a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment than just can't be matched by any angle guide or jig setup.

Best of luck, and remember, no matter what system you choose the key to truly sharp edges is understanding exactly what you are doing (grinding off metal to form a perfect apex and then refining it) and practice practice practice.
 
Allen R. said:
for 50 bucks get the sharpmaker then later on get the diamond rods and the ultra fine rods and youll have a really really good system.
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Could 't have said it better myself. I am now working my way in to convexing using strops and can see a day in the not too distant future where I won't use a stick style system anymore. But my Sharpmaker has served me VERY well w/ the addition of the diamond rods for many years now.
 
I would jump right into a stone. The double sided DMT dia-sharp bench stone with course and fine will last you forever and is a great start for your first stone. After that I would pick up a DMT dia-sharp extra fine or extra extra fine followed by a fine/ extra fine spyderco ceramic stone.

DMT dia-sharp bench stone with course and fine can be had for around $50.

Also get a mousepad and sandpaper starting at 400 grit moving all the way to 2000 if you would like to convex your blades before putting them to the stones.

I would not recommend trying to convex you knives on stones although it can be done.

Throw a strop in there and in time with practice your knives will be able to cleave hairs off your arm.
 
Lansky Deluxe sharpening system is great. I use it often on my knives. I also use the stone to do some freehand touching up as well.
 
KME Systems.

About twice as much as you are interested in paying, but made in USA, and worth every penny.

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Moose
 
Sharpmaker for the win.

Only concerns are you cant really reprofile with it and you are limited to two angles 30,40. You can buy aftermarket stones for it that is capable of reprofiling... The angles given are enough for all you really need, and if you reach the next sharpening obsession plateau, you may chose to upgrade and buy something like an edgepro/WE but the sharpmaker will remain quite useful for quick touchups.

Clamp guided systems like the Aligner(comes with great diamond stones, top honors), Lansky etc. can all serve you well, but if you upgrade one day to freehand or edgepro/WE, those clamp systems kind of become obsolete and redundant. So my advice is, if you are certain you will not take it a step further and start making sharpening a sub-hobby, you could end up very happy with these.
 
I'd really recommend Lansky. It's fairly easy to pick up but it does a terrific job. I've noticed a considerable increase in efficacy for all blades I've used it with.
 
I have the sharpmaker but considering the Lansky Deluxe as it looks like a nice system and it is only about $35 for one. I cannot recommend it yet as I haven't done enough reviewing yet but the sharpmaker is a good system for about $55-60.
 
I came to the conclusion years ago I cannot sharpen a knife for beans...I tried DMT & Lansky with no luck.......so I saved my $ and invested in a Wicked Edge sharpening system...I know its way out of your price range but it is hands down the best investment I have ever made to maintain my knives...I am talking razor sharp ... eveything I own ...and you can convex with it too....it is worth every penny. only problem is everyone I know wants me to sharpen their knives..lol

my .2c
 
I too figured out that I couldn't get anything sharp with any consistency without some type of guide to help control the angle. The first system I got that I knew when I went to sharpen I was always going to end up with a sharp knife was a Lansky. I moved up to the Gatco system later as the stones were larger so it worked faster, and the clamp at the time was better. Lansky has since improved their clamp though it's ability to hold knives is still the chief complaint I hear from people about their Lansky systems. I still think Gatco's clamp is better for two main reasons - you don't need a coin or screwdriver to tighten the front screw, and Gatco offers more angle choices - 6 instead of 4. I do sell the Gatco Clamp to a lot of Lansky users for the additional angle choices.

I think you should add to your mix of choices the Gatco Edgemate Professional System. It is in your price range, you get 4 grits in the larger stones (XCoarse, Coarse, Med and Fine) in the alumina oxide as well as a triangular stone for serrations. This was the system I used prior to moving up to the Edge Pro and Wicked Edge.

The sharpmaker is a great maintenance system - super for touch ups. With the addition of the diamond rods you can do some cleanup/repair work but it can be very time consuming. As FCM says - if you go with it you are going to want to keep it in your stable even if you decide to upgrade to another system later. For most people you aren't going to want to keep them around if you upgrade. You will want to add the Ultra Fine stones to the system for sure if you go with the sharpmaker

Moose is right about KME - fantastic system. Easy clamping and the clamp does a great job holding many different knife types and sizes. About twice what you are looking at in price but it has the least angle play of any of the systems on the table, and the most angle choices. Also more stones are being cut for it, if you are thinking you will want to try other specialty stones at some point.

For me it is hard to make a recommendation for you of which system is going to meet your needs without knowing how you intend to use it, and what you really hope to be able to acheive. I hope this info is helpful though in making a decision - good luck and happy sharpening!
 
Combatmedicvet said:
I came to the conclusion years ago I cannot sharpen a knife for beans...I tried DMT & Lansky with no luck.......so I saved my $ and invested in a Wicked Edge sharpening system...I know its way out of your price range but it is hands down the best investment I have ever made to maintain my knives...I am talking razor sharp ... eveything I own ...and you can convex with it too....it is worth every penny. only problem is everyone I know wants me to sharpen their knives..lol

my .2c
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I don't, but that's only because I purchased one too and you're right.......they are excellent.
 
I am still getting the hang of the Edge Pro system but i did try freehand stones and ceramic rod pre angled contraptions and the lansky system. For me none really worked except the Edge Pro. Sure it cost more but for the first time I am actually getting sharp knives. ....sweet.
 
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