Whats good for sharpening knives? I have a Lansky, but I am thinking to upgrading to diamond stones. Should I go with diamond bench stones and a clamp on angle guide instead? Also, what angle is good for ATS-34? I have a Genesis and am still looking for the right angle. How are the spyderco sharpmakers? I've heard a lot of people using them, but I'm still leary of the stick design for some reason. I like stones, but if it will do a better job, I'm all for it.
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sharpening equipment
- Thread starter Taz
- Start date
I have tried all the sharpeners you mentioned plus different bench stones. I now use an Edge Pro. It is a little more money, but nothing I have ever seen or tried even comes close. Look at www.gorge.net/business/edgepro/
You won't go wrong with this. It is better than Lansky, Gatco, Sharpmakers, etc. I examine the blades under magnification and the Edge Pro helps me do a very precise and uniform job.
You won't go wrong with this. It is better than Lansky, Gatco, Sharpmakers, etc. I examine the blades under magnification and the Edge Pro helps me do a very precise and uniform job.
I'm kind of new to the forum, but I noticed these guys talking about the Spyderco 204 and I got one. Only had it for 2 days, but that dude works and works good. If I can sharpen a knife on it, anyone can. BTW, it works on those serrated kitchen knives too.
Taz,
MJB is right, any of Ben Dale's (Edge Pro) kits is superb. The little problem is not all people can afford his systems. I also heard good things about the SKARB, though Joe Talmadge hasn't quite finished reviewing it yet. Do a search on keyword: SKARB, and there's a thread about it not a long time ago. I think I'm going to buy one too soon.
About other systems. I have all the systems you mentioned and here are my findings. Keep your Lansky system handy and buy a DMT Aligner kit with at least two stones (like coarse and fine). You can then use your Lansky clamp (and your Lansky universal mount if you have it) with the DMT stones and guide. The only concern is that the use of a DMT guide+stone with a Lansky clamp will make the angle a little off a bit. In my experience the angle of a DMT stone would be always lower than a Lansky's. This is not a big problem for me, because I always finish my sharpening with a fine or extra fine stone from a Lansky anyway. The effect is like creating a back bevel first and finishing it with a steeper angle. I wish there were an easier way to explain this, but I think you get the picture.
About Sharpmaker, it's my favorite. Sure the most difficult task is to adapt your new folder to it's angle(s). Creating a back bevel for a new folder (with a factory angle) would be a tedious task and is something that you can't avoid with any system. The only difference is how fast you can get there. I got other systems to create back bevels (diamond stones are extremely fast). But for touchups there's nothing out there that can beat Sharpmaker's simplicity yet, at least IMO.
IMHO there's no such thing as 'the right angle for ATS-34.' Of course a tougher steel will take a finer edge. But the angle of a knife also depends a lot in its blade geometry, thickness and the use of a knife (chopping or push-cut). If you want to stick with factory angles, just do the magic marker trick. Experiment a lot, and you'll find the best angle that suits your folder and your needs. Most of the times, my folders (and i) like the angle of a Sharpmaker.
Good luck.
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Reynaert
MJB is right, any of Ben Dale's (Edge Pro) kits is superb. The little problem is not all people can afford his systems. I also heard good things about the SKARB, though Joe Talmadge hasn't quite finished reviewing it yet. Do a search on keyword: SKARB, and there's a thread about it not a long time ago. I think I'm going to buy one too soon.
About other systems. I have all the systems you mentioned and here are my findings. Keep your Lansky system handy and buy a DMT Aligner kit with at least two stones (like coarse and fine). You can then use your Lansky clamp (and your Lansky universal mount if you have it) with the DMT stones and guide. The only concern is that the use of a DMT guide+stone with a Lansky clamp will make the angle a little off a bit. In my experience the angle of a DMT stone would be always lower than a Lansky's. This is not a big problem for me, because I always finish my sharpening with a fine or extra fine stone from a Lansky anyway. The effect is like creating a back bevel first and finishing it with a steeper angle. I wish there were an easier way to explain this, but I think you get the picture.
About Sharpmaker, it's my favorite. Sure the most difficult task is to adapt your new folder to it's angle(s). Creating a back bevel for a new folder (with a factory angle) would be a tedious task and is something that you can't avoid with any system. The only difference is how fast you can get there. I got other systems to create back bevels (diamond stones are extremely fast). But for touchups there's nothing out there that can beat Sharpmaker's simplicity yet, at least IMO.
IMHO there's no such thing as 'the right angle for ATS-34.' Of course a tougher steel will take a finer edge. But the angle of a knife also depends a lot in its blade geometry, thickness and the use of a knife (chopping or push-cut). If you want to stick with factory angles, just do the magic marker trick. Experiment a lot, and you'll find the best angle that suits your folder and your needs. Most of the times, my folders (and i) like the angle of a Sharpmaker.
Good luck.
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Reynaert
- Joined
- Nov 24, 1999
- Messages
- 4,981
I've never tried a sharpening kit like the lansky due to the fact that I have a lot of carving tools that won't work with them.I've had the most luck with free hand use of arkansas stones (1soft, 1hard)and then either a surgical black arkansas or a fine white ceramic.Depending on the steel I use a strop after that with green micro fine honing compound. The grit size is 1/2 micron. That gets things scary sharp.
I don't like diamond stones very well unless I'm using them for serrations or just removing a lot of metal fast. They don't leave a very fine edge due to an irregular diamond pattern on the stones. Thats great for serrations because it leaves micro serrations that REALLY cut when pulled across the object being cut.My half serrated delica will cut 1/2 inch dowel rod in one pass. I know other people who swear by diamond stones though. I guess its all personal preference and the way you use your stuff. I would see if I could try some different things before I bought anything.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
I don't like diamond stones very well unless I'm using them for serrations or just removing a lot of metal fast. They don't leave a very fine edge due to an irregular diamond pattern on the stones. Thats great for serrations because it leaves micro serrations that REALLY cut when pulled across the object being cut.My half serrated delica will cut 1/2 inch dowel rod in one pass. I know other people who swear by diamond stones though. I guess its all personal preference and the way you use your stuff. I would see if I could try some different things before I bought anything.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
Larry in KY
Banned
- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 305
I agree 100% with MJB!!