One sharpener

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fourstarclothes

Joined
May 16, 2010
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I know the debate rages on about which sharpener is the best etc. I am looking for one sharpener for $50 that I can do serrated, regular folders and what not and kitchen knives on.

I do not know if something like the sharpmaker would be better than some sort of whetstone etc. I am willing to learn on any system - freehand, guided it does not matter. Also looking at strops?
 
Well since you said ONE sharpener... One whetstone isn't going to do it for you. You'd better get the Sharpmaker in that case.
 
Probably the best all round sharpener for folding knives and smaller fixed blade knives, including serrated ones, would be the DMT Deluxe Aligner kit. Relatively inexpensive, easy to use, quick to set up and will put a shaving sharp edge on anything in minutes. A monkey could use it.
 
gajinoz said:
Probably the best all round sharpener for folding knives and smaller fixed blade knives, including serrated ones, would be the DMT Deluxe Aligner kit. Relatively inexpensive, easy to use, quick to set up and will put a shaving sharp edge on anything in minutes. A monkey could use it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm..., the thought of a monkey who's learned how to sharpen knives. That's just a little bit unnerving! :eek:
 
The DMT is the better clamp system, I've had mine for 2 years and it still works fine. your asking for a lot for a little though and you will probably soon find out it doesn't work that way.
 
I just want a sharpener for $50 that can do it all. I don't want to have to buy extra stones and clamps etc. There are quite a few options out there. Just wanted to make sure there I was not overlooking any. Thanks for your help.
 
That's what I'm trying to say, your not going to get it all inn a 50 dollar system. If you do let me know so I can sell my thousands worth of sharpening equipment.
 
Most in that price range are not complete sets and give you just a basic stone set to work with. If you look around though you can find a more complete set for about 70. still don't expect it to do everything though.
 
If you're already considering a guided system (GATCO, Lansky), here's an idea.

The good thing about these sharpeners is that you don't have to buy a complete set to get started. The clamps and hones can be purchased individually. If I were looking to spend no more than $50, I'd start with at least a Coarse and Medium DIAMOND hone, and a clamp (obviously). You don't even have to buy the 'sharpening oil' that is normally included with the sets. You can lubricate everything with just water (that's how I use these). The Coarse hone will be enough to allow you to reprofile & form a burr on most knives, and the Medium will then produce a decent working edge for most any cutting situation. You won't end up with a highly polished edge, but you don't necessarily need that anyway. And stropping afterwards can be done with an amazing variety of cheap and commonly available materials (there are many threads on the subject here). The guided systems, in my opinion, are very good for demonstrating the benefits of maintaining a consistent angle, and in doing that, will hopefully inspire you to learn more (& practice).

And, the nice thing about the GATCO/Lansky hones (or DMT aligner types), is that you can use them freehand (without the guide & clamp) to do touch-ups, if and when you feel confident enough to give that a try.

That would give you enough to get familiar with at least ONE system, and might whet your appetite for how you'd like to spend the NEXT $50.
 
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Obsessed with Edges said:
If you're already considering a guided system (GATCO, Lansky), here's an idea.

The good thing about these sharpeners is that you don't have to buy a complete set to get started. The clamps and hones can be purchased individually. If I were looking to spend no more than $50, I'd start with at least a Coarse and Medium DIAMOND hone, and a clamp (obviously). You don't even have to buy the 'sharpening oil' that is normally included with the sets. You can lubricate everything with just water (that's how I use these). The Coarse hone will be enough to allow you to reprofile & form a burr on most knives, and the Medium will then produce a decent working edge for most any cutting situation. You won't end up with a highly polished edge, but you don't necessarily need that anyway. And stropping afterwards can be done with an amazing variety of cheap and commonly available materials (there are many threads on the subject here). The guided systems, in my opinion, are very good for demonstrating the benefits of maintaining a constant angle, and in doing that, will hopefully inspire you to learn more (& practice).

And, the nice thing about the GATCO/Lansky hones (or DMT aligner types), is that you can use them freehand (without the guide & clamp) to do touch-ups, if and when you feel confident enough to give that a try.

That would give you enough to get familiar with at least ONE system, and might whet your appetite for how you'd like to spend the NEXT $50.
Click to expand...

I really like that reply. Thank you very much. :thumbup:

Emailed you pvt.
 
I'd add another vote for the DMT Aligner. It really does do it all. You can add the A4EE extra-extra-fine hone as well-get both of Knifecenter for a total of 60 bucks.
 
I vote for the Sharpmaker.
Had a Lanksy for 12 years, and had very little luck achieving consistent results, or even good results for that matter. The idea of clamping my blade in one spot and moving a stone in a semi-circular path relative to the blade is fraught with peril. I basically ended up reprofiling the blade every time I sharpened it.
At least with the Sharpmaker I can exert more control over the blade's path with respect to the stone so that I can match the curvature of the blade's belly as I sharpen.

In the end it boils down to waaaaay better (read: screaming sharp) and extremely consistent results from the Sharpmaker.

Get the Sharpmaker, become one with it, and watch out because you'll end up shaving all the hair off of your left arm in fits of glee.
 
I have had the Lansky set up (same basic principle as DMT), and it works great. Very slim blade sharpening is hampered by the clamp. Long blades( kitchen/ hunting/survival knives), are at the outer limits of the rod length and short stone(4 inch? abrasive) length. For a starter set @ $50.00 you won't go wrong with either, but you will soon learn the limits. The limits can be overcome with time(time spent arranging & re-arranging clamping areas), I've decided time is worth money so it seems the fastest method saves me money. I have a Tormek($500.00 w/some bells and whistles) It will put an edge on anything: axes, chisels,scissors, small knives, big knives, lawnmower blades?, but I wouldn't dream of sticking my $275.00 Benchmade, or custom blades near it! I bought a Warthog (I think with added extra fine abrasives, I've got $150 in it), It will sharpen to a fine edge(re profile will take days),but it scratched both sides of my Benchmade in nothing flat. I just got my Edgepro Apex, now that! is the best I've tried, it has all the qualities of the Lansky but better/longer action. My 11yr old daughter sharpened our kitchen knives to shaving sharp and called it fun.I re-sharpened my $$ Benchmade( with zero scratches) Knowing what I have learned, I would have to recommend building on that $50.00.
 
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