Now, which sharpener to choose? Hmm...

[Gunfucius]

I'm trying to decide between 2 knife sharpening systems. The Lansky Standard system, or the Gatco Edgemate system. I know, they're very similar to each other. I'd like to hear people who've had experience with them (either one, doesn't matter to me.) tell me about them and if possible, tell me which one they would go with and why. I've already decided against a Spyderco Sharpmaker, so please don't mention that one. I DO have a Lansky Turnbox sharpener, but all I'm able to do with that is touch up slightly dulled edges, not actually sharpen anything.


Lansky Standard---http://lanskysharpeners.com/LKC03.php

Gatco Edgemate---http://www.gatcosharpeners.com/product/sharp_systems/edgemate_sys.mgi?mgiToken=26F8F20323A560EE4F

 

[Butcher1]

Out of those two I'd have to say the Lansky, just because I've heard it is of better quality.

 

[Hard H2O]

I'm trying to decide between 2 knife sharpening systems. The Lansky Standard system, or the Gatco Edgemate system. I know, they're very similar to each other. I'd like to hear people who've had experience with them (either one, doesn't matter to me.) tell me about them and if possible, tell me which one they would go with and why. I've already decided against a Spyderco Sharpmaker, so please don't mention that one. I DO have a Lansky Turnbox sharpener, but all I'm able to do with that is touch up slightly dulled edges, not actually sharpen anything.


Lansky Standard---http://lanskysharpeners.com/LKC03.php

Gatco Edgemate---http://www.gatcosharpeners.com/product/sharp_systems/edgemate_sys.mgi?mgiToken=26F8F20323A560EE4F

They all will work.

I have a GATCO and recently I was given a KME to trial. I have never used a Lansky. I have seen them at retail stores.

I favor the GATCO.

I like the price of the GATCO. I got mine from Cabelas. If you buy it from them you get the stand free.

The stones on the GATCO are wider than the Lansky but narrower than the KME. This has worked great on the cutlery I have sharpened including the slight recurve on my Kershaw Vapor.

There are more angle options with the GATCO versus the Lansky. You can get a shallower angle on the GATCO versus the other systems.

I like the clamp on the GATCO versus the others.

The KME uses a stone holder that can use any 4"x1" stone. I have found that this is a neat feature. I have found that I can use the KME stone holder on the GATCO. KME does not sell the stone holder separate. It is not enough of a feature to get me to spend the money on the KME versus the GATCO.

I like the standard stones. The diamond stones that come with the KME are very nice if diamonds are your thing. The one diamond stone I purchased for the GATCO didn't do much for me.

I like how the rods simply pull out of the GATCO holders and then slide back in for storage. On the Lansky you have to loosen a setscrew rotate the rod and then retighten the setscrew.

Accessory stones for the Lansky are more readily available than for the GATCO or KME.

I added the extra fine and ultimate finishing hones for the GATCO. I also finish with a leather strop loaded with polishing compound.

Like I said, they will all work.

 

[Gunfucius]

Thanks guys, I think I'll go with the Lansky. The set screw sounds like it will hold the rods more securely vs. simply sliding them in, and the only angles I ever use are 20 and 25 degrees, and the Lansky has both of them. Not to mention that I can get the Lansky and the clamp that goes with it locally, but not the Gatco.

 

[Hard H2O]

Thanks guys, I think I'll go with the Lansky. The set screw sounds like it will hold the rods more securely vs. simply sliding them in, and the only angles I ever use are 20 and 25 degrees, and the Lansky has both of them. Not to mention that I can get the Lansky and the clamp that goes with it locally, but not the Gatco.

The Lansky will work for you if you do your part. They are all very similar on the low end. They all do about the same thing. It is all scraping steel on stone.

I do like the lower angles that I can do on the GATCO for my kitchen cutlery.