ok to use lansky?

D

DgrantD

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It is ok to use lansky standard sharpener without oil? I just got one today are they good?

Thanks,
Grant
 
I've used the Lansky sharpening systems for the last 15 years. The standard stones work really well. I've never tried them without the oil. The only bad experience I had with Lansky was with their diamond sharpeners. I bought a diamond sharpening kit and used it to sharpen a Cold Steel recon tanto. This was the old recon tanto with the brass finger guard and end cap, made in the U.S.A. The factory edge was terrible. It was slow cutting and when I was done the diamond stones were worn out. The edge did turn out nice, however. To be fair, this was a long time ago. The diamond kits they sell now may be better. I wonder what steel that old tanto was made of. It sure was hard.
 
I just started useing a Lansky kit. It has put a scary sharp edge on my Spydie :D

I'm going to play w/ it some more tonight and try and got the edge down to a twenty degree razor.

So far I am really happy with the Landsky system.
 
I'm still trying to get the hang of it, I don't care to do it much. I prefer sending them to someone else. Maybe if I had more time I might enjoy it more.
 
I didn't use oil at the first place and they work fine.
 
Yeah you are fine without oil. Most of the sharpening jigs do have a bit of a learning curve.., so just be patient and sharpen lots of knives and you'll be good at it in now time.

I've had 'em all :) Lansky.., Gatco.., Spdie 204's.., Norton Stones.., Arkansaw's, and the Edge-Pro professional.., and it's fairly clear to me it's not the "Arrow".., but the "Indian" that makes the difference..., you'll do fine with a few knives under your belt...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Use the oil.

You only need a few drops on the stone; this helps 'float' metal particles away from your blade, and also keeps the stone from collecting too many particles, and 'loading up', which reduces its effectiveness, and shortens stone life.

After sharpening, I recommend putting a few drops of oil on the stone, rubbing it with your finger, (this loosens any metal particles imbedded in the stone, and cleans it up)and wiping the stone on a clean shop rag, or a lint free towel.

All of these will help you get the best results from your Lansky,and make it last longer. This also applies to any aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide type stone used for bench sharpening.

As for diamond stones, I use the DMT type, which recommends using straight tap water for a lubricant, and it works very well.
 
I use the Lansky kit quite often and never use the oil for it never have seen a need for it, there is a newer theory floating around these days that using oil on stones is worse than not I say do what ever feels right to you.
 
I've heard, and I believe it's mentioned in Joe Talmadge's FAQ, that you can go with or without oil. There is a caveat though...once you use oil on an arkansas stone, you always have to use oil, but if you start out using it dry, then it's fine (possibly better) to use it without oil. Check his FAQ for the facts, but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly.

Mike
 
I use the Lansky system without oil.....generally I will use some Windex, a tootbrush, and a piece of green Scotch Brite to clean it periodically during blade re-profiling and before I put it away.

michael
 
Whatever works best for you, I guess.

I do machine tool sharpening, and when I served my apprenticeship, I was taught to always use oil, or kerosene (small amount) on my stones when doing heavy sharpening.

I do use my arkansas honing stones dry, and when they become loaded up, I hit them with brake cleaner, and that cleans them right up.

I will always use oil on my Lansky, but I have moved up to using DMT bench stones, and hones, and the only thing they recommend using is straight tap water.
 
I cannot remember where, but a few years ago I read that you should clean the lansky stones with water and Bon Ami, after using.

I continue to use the oil when using the stones. Then I scrub them with the water and Bon Ami and they continue to work perfectly.
 
Let me disagree fairly vehemently with those who advise you to use the system without oil. The purpose of lubricating a stone is to help keep it from loading up with metal filings. When a stone gets loaded up with filings it cuts more slowly - a lot more slowly. The lubrication keeps everything flowing so that the metal you grind from the blade floats on top of the stone instead of getting embedded in the grain of the stone. People who have had good results without lubrication haven't used the Lansky very much, I would guess. Otherwise they would find that the stones are cutting slowly because of the embedded debris.

I sharpen knives every day professionally. I sharpen enough knives that I wear out a couple of diamond stones per year just doing touch ups. I use all kinds of equipment and I can tell you that the kinds of stones that don't need lubrication are ceramic (usually used on verically oriented sharpeners so as not to have to deal with dripping lubrication) and diamond. So, if you are averse to lubricating the stones, then you might want to upgrade some or all of your Lansky stones to diamond which don't need lubrication.

I have used the Lansky and I think it is a little slow and fussy but it works very well if you take the time to regrind the bevels on the knife with the coarse stone throroughly to one of the built in angles. Then any subsequent sharpenings will go quickly and easily. What you have will make your knives as sharp as they can be as long as you get the grinding done up front and will continue to work well for you for years as long as you lubricate the stones with each use. Take care.
 
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