razors edge vs. lansky

S

Sammy Mickel

Joined
May 11, 1999
Messages
61
I'vve got a birth day coming up soon and am thinking of aking for a razors edge system or a lansky system. Give me your opinions and advice. I'm searching for something that will give a fine edge if it take a little time it's no big deal. There is something relaxing about putting a edge on a blade, well till I lean it over to far and scratch the blade. Thanks for any help.

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I have a LANSKY and a GATCO and prefer the GATCO. Its a lot like the LANSKY but the stones are larger and have a better "handle" to grip onto.
 
Sammy, by razors edge system, do you mean Razor Edge systems? If so, I would opt for it rather than the Lansky. I quit using my Lansky after I realized that somehow the coarse stone was cutting at a shallower angle than the fine stone on my system. Its a fairly low grade system IMHO, at least if you're a semi-serious knife knut. If you want the best system at any cost I would go for an Edge Pro Apex, available from http://www.gorge.net/business/edgepro/. This is the system that I have now, but its a little pricey. There's a review of the Apex at http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001223.html if you're intersted. Hope this help

[This message has been edited by Roadrunner (edited 01-20-2000).]
 
i've heard the best is the spex system that roadrunner mentioned. i have a gatco system and am very pleased with it. i like the wider hones of the gatco vs. the lansky. i've gotten my knives extremely sharp with my set. i haven't had any experience with the razor edge system, but i can sharpen knives with a slight recurve on mine, try that with the razor edge or benchstones. i hear it can be done, but that it isn't easy. i'm surprised i'm first to mention it, but many people swear by the spyderco sharpmaker. never used one myself, but i'd feel confident buying one just from the comments i've heard.
 
The Razor Edge system is the ticket. It is extremely versatile. I have the pro model with 8" stones. I think I paid about $120 including shipping.

Be sure to get the Razor Edge Book of Sharpening, it has a ton of information. That book changed my entire view of sharpening.
smile.gif


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Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!
 
Well, I've got both the Lansky and the Razors Edge system. I like the Razors Edge system a lot more than the Lansky. You get a much more uniform edge, and I love not having to use oil! I also second the vote for the book (and the video) and would also suggest checking out Bladeforums FAQ's regarding sharpening. Lots of good stuff there-most of which I was ignorant about!
 
Roadrunner,

I quit using my Lansky after I realized that somehow the coarse stone was cutting at a shallower angle than the fine stone on my system.
Click to expand...

Yes, I found out that this is also the case with mine.

ptpalpha,

You get a much more uniform edge, and I love not having to use oil!
Click to expand...

You don't have to use the oil even with a Lansky system. I've never used oil with any of my stones (except waterstones, you don't have much choice).


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Reynaert
 
Originally posted by Frantium:
Roadrunner,
Are you both sure you are setting up the Lansky correctly? The rod and hone face should be inline. I get the same angle with all the hones. Even with a hone I made myself.
Click to expand...
 
db,

Yes, I'm pretty sure, i always tighten the rod to the hone on top of a table just to make sure that it is so. I suspect that some of the rods are not properly angled, i.e. not 90 degree (is it even 90 degree, I'm not sure?).

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Reynaert
 
I had the Gatco an' I got the Spydie and Razor's Edge Pro kit. The first thing you should do is read the Razor's Edge book of sharpening. It too changed the way I look at edges and I get AWESOME results now (the concepts will work with ANY sharpening system you get.) If you don't want to buy it (I don't have a copy) check out your local library- that is where I go to get a copy. If you are sharpening non-recurved edges (kukris and the like) I don't think bench stones are your answer. If you are sharpening "normal" edges, I would definitely get the Razor's Edge kit. I will admit that I had a tough time learning how to use the guides. I actually was ready to pack it up and get my $$$ back, but I took the time to learn how to use them properly and I get and extremely sharp edge with little effort now. If you can, make sure you get a kit with the steel in it (or get it separately) If you are sharpening serrations, I don't think spydie can be beat. I am apprehensive about using the spyderco sharpening sustem for a lot of heavy duty sharpening, as my coarse stones are wearing out on the edges. I have delegated it to serration duty only. But if you go with spydie (and it does sharpen plain edges well) I'd suggest getting a coarse bench stone for grinding in relief (see Razor's Edge book or e-mail me on what relief is.) Grind the relief with the rough stone (I bought two for my sister- $2 grand total!!) and sharpen with spydie. Again, it is my current preference to use the Razor's Edge kit... But I'm always in search of better methods. If you find one, let me know!
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"Come What May..."
 
Wow, there's a lot of great posts here; I'll try to keep the standard
smile.gif


Sammy, if you're trying to pick between those two systems, I'd go for the Razor's Edge over the Lansky. Both the Lansky and Gatco are similar systems (I have a Gatco)and they both suffer from the same problem. If you don't clamp the blade at the exact same spot everytime, you will get a slightly different angle each time. The system certainly works, but I don't think it's that good-just my opinion and experience.

The Razor's Edge is good because you can use any bench stones, and generally there's a better sense of control. Now I have to admit I don't own a RE but a friend of mine does and he swears by it.

In other suggestions, there's the Spyderco 204. Great edges and fool proof; does serrations better than anything I've seen too. Only disadvantages are that is has two grits of stones only and two angles only.

If you really want to go all out, get an EdgePro Apex. In my opinion there is nothing better. A little more expensive, a little more practice required, but the results are worth it. If you want to know more, check out my review; Roadrunner has a link to it in his post. BTW there will be an update to that review in the next coupleof days.

Anyway I hope my two cents are some help. If your only choices are Lansky and RE, I'd go for RE.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
 
db, I am very careful about setting up the Lansky when I use it (or used to use it). I realized that if the stonbe and rods weren't in line that the angle wouldn't be correct. To make sure they were in line, I always lay them down on the table with the stone side down before tightening the screw that holds the rod in place, so they would be on the same plane. Unfortunatly, the rods are very thin, and I doubt that QC on them is overly strict, so as a result the rods are not uniformly straight. I'm pretty sure that is what was causing the problem with my system. And it was not just a degree or two off; the fine stone was grinding at least a sixteenth of an inch away from the edge of the last knife I sharpened with it, a chisel ground CRKT PECK. The grind lines from the coarse stone I had use to set the bevel were clearly visible in that space. Most of the problem with the Lansky is bad QC and poor design, IMHO.

Sammy, I would also reccomend the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I didn't mention it before since you hadn't asked for any opinions on it, but since it has already been mentioned, I'll second (or third?) a reccomendation for it. I had the 203 and only traded it because I wanted a 204. According to what I've heard, the 204 is much more versatile. Good luck deciding which one you want!

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Just because I talk to myself does not make me crazy. Now, when I listento myself, that makes me crazy.
 
Sammy-

I would echo the above comments on the Edgepro Apex. See Johan's excellent and detailed post in the review section. I can tell you that when people come over that have the other 2 systems you mentioned, I inevitably end up resharpening their steel on my Apex. It is a bit pricey but will outlast and outsharpen anything else out there.

Plus, Ben Dale is a great guy to deal with!

Bob
 
Well, everyone needs to use what works for them. This thread shows, like all the others. that different systems work better for one person and not for anouther. All the system are above are good. I have had a Lansky for a few years and it works great for me. Even after useing it for a year or two, I can now sharpen free hand with any hone. If you take your time and learn the system well any of them should work very well for you.
 
I'll echo TAutry's comments. I had a Lansky before I got the RES kit with 8" stones. I don't even know where the Lansky is now and I don't miss it.

The Razor's Edge Book of Sharpening is worth far more that the cost - get it no matter which system you choose.

Ray

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
I have used all the sharpening systems mentioned, and a few more!! IMHO, nothing beats the Edge Pro!!
 
I have a Lansky and a Spyderco MF203. When I used the Lansky I was very meticulous about angles, going so far as to measure the distances and calculate the actual angles. The Lansky guides are way off. Currently I use the MF203 for everything except a chisel ground sushi knive, and I'm not thrilled about the results with the Lansky. I was able to get the stones to sharpen at the same angle. Some times you have to tweak the guides a bit. But you're still limited to the preset positions. The angle varies with the width of the blade, and no knife I ever sharpened with it was at the printed angle.

My next purchase is an EdgePro Apex. Nothing else comes close.


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E. Larson
Edmonds, WA


 
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