Sharpening help

D

Durbin

Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
416
I have been using a Sypderco sharpmaker for the last couple of years. I was thinking of adding a lansky system for a change. Does anyone like to use it? What are the pro's and con's?
And is there anybody who still sharpens on bench stones? I always thought that was cool, is it as good as the systems that are out? If so.. I will get a few good stones and try that. Any body have reccomnedations? Should they be Arksanas stones? Thanks for the help.

Durbin
 
I had a Lansky and gave it away and replaced it with a Gatco which is very similar but with wider stones. Both work very well. The only minus is the fact that with long blades you will have to move the clamp but that is a minor issue. I like the ablity to be able to hold a very precise angle when sharpening.
 
I bought the Lansky before the Sharpmaker and love it. Still use it for profiling occasionally. Weird, but it's because of the Lansky that I taught myself freehand sharpening. Started out using the SM hones on the back of the stand they came with .. was great fun! Bought a dual grit Norton stone from Home Depot for $6 to see if it was as easy as on the hones ... no turning back now. Later, bought a full size Norton Coarse India stone for $22 and a Translucent Arkansas for $80. Use them all with water rather than oil. Gets em spooky sharp! Start out with kitchen knives or knives you don't care too much about scratching (or use painters or masking tape to protect the finish) while you're learning. The knack comes fast and is very satisfying. Synthetics like the Crystolon or Indias are as nice as the Arkansas's. Some like the diamonds, others don't, do some research with hands on experience if ya can, then let your pocket book decide ... :D
 
Great post Native Justice. I would say the same thing. I do all my sharpening on benchstones now. If you do go the benchstone way a coarse stone and a finer one would be the least to have. you really need both, even better is coarse medium and fine stones.
 
Durbin said:
And is there anybody who still sharpens on bench stones? I always thought that was cool, is it as good as the systems that are out? If so.. I will get a few good stones and try that. Any body have reccomnedations? Should they be Arksanas stones? Thanks for the help.

Durbin
Click to expand...

Durbin,

I sharpen everything on bench stones and sometimes pocket stones when away from home. I always keep a DMT duo stone in my pocket. It has a fine diamond surface on one side and a little rougher surface on the other. The fine (600 grit) will finish a blade sharp enough for most common cutting tasks. How often do you need to split a human hair?

At home I have a fine DMT machinist diamond bench stone (about 3 x 8 inch) and leather strop that will polish the edge if I need a super sharp cutting experience. Most things don't require it. I also have belt sanders and bench grinders but they are reserved for extreme cases.

Most any type stone will work, some are for quick rough work and some are for fine finishes and therefor very slow, but they all perform the same action. You need a few different grades for a complete kit.

I tried some of the gizmos but didn't see a big advantage and many disadvantages. I try not to become dependent on things I may not have when I need them. I can always fine a suitable stone to get me by in a pinch. Without some skill and my adaptive nature I would be at a loss in certain situations.

The skill required to sharpen on a stone is minimal and quickly acquired with a little practice and maybe a few pointers if you run into difficulties.
It is well worth the effort to learn.

I taught my son to sharpen his own knives and he has cut free standing empty water bottles in half to the amazement of our friends. These are guys who hunt and shoot with us not unskilled desk jockies. Did I mention my son is 14? I heard some of the guys here have trouble with that test. And, he did it with a Cold Steel Bushman, not some $1000 custom slasher knife.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have more questions.;) Is there anywhere that posts good instruction on sharpening on bench stones? And where is a good place to get them? I think I might try my hand at it. Maybe Cabelas or Bass pro has a deal on arkansas stones.

Durbin
 
I'd suggest reading The Razor Edge Book Of Sharpening, by John Juranitch, and go from there. The book goes into great detail about sharpening theory and practice, with excellent diagrams and photos, and is the best place to start that I know. Even if you don't want to freehand sharpen, the book will help you understand problems with sharpening devices, should those occur. I like the Razor Edge coarse and fine hones for freehand sharpening.

This is also excellent: http://www.knifeart.com/sharfaqbyjoe.html
 
I have a Sharpmaker and a Lansky diamond set. To be honest I really don't like the Lansky. The diamonds all flaked off the hones after just a few sharpenings and are pretty much useless now. The clamping system is awkward and requires re-clamping for longer blades and I find it difficult to sharpen tips. It's okay but I'm going to get an Edgepro next.

NP
 
I've got a lansky, and I find it useful on anything up to about 4.5 - 5", and it does a pretty good job of things.

My only gripes are:
-It can't get any thinner than about 30 degrees (inclusive). I've got holes drilled in the clamp for 20 inclusive, but it will only work if the blade is at least 1.5" wide, otherwise the clamp gets in the way of the stones.
-The super-fine stone that comes with the deluxe kit still leaves a less than great edge, and stopping is a must to get rid of the final micro-burr, and to get a more polished edge.

It's a good introduction to sharpening, and leaves a pretty looking edge, but it's not as versatile as a good set of bench stones. The advantage is that it's pretty much foolproof.
 
If I get a few good stones... then do I sharpen with water, honing oil.. (this is what my dad and grandpa always did) or I read on the forum that on a new stone you should sharpen dry? is this recommended? thanks for the help
 
Use water for sharpening and scrub with 3M scrubbing pad with dish washing soap or a Brillo pad after use. Works great and prevents alot of stone surface glazing.
 
You should do a search. This is one of the most discussed items on the board. And there are as many opinions on the "best way" to sharpen as there are people offering opinions.

Personally, I've got a Lansky, a Sharpmaker, and half a dozen bench (aka "whet", aka "oil") stones. Each have their place. I use mineral oil on the bench stones, but some people use water. Then there are water stones, which are different than whet stones, and generally more expensive. (I may need to get some of them one day.) Belt sanders, rotating stones (not bench grinders, please!), strops, sandpaper, etc, etc. Like I said, lots of choices, lots of opinions on what's best.

Good luck. Sharpening is to knife ownership as reloading is to gun ownership. Part and parcel, but a whole world unto itself.

-- Sam
 
Thanks sam, I did not think of searching the forum. that was a great idea... I am sure I will find a wealth of information. I will do that now.

Durbin
 
Just ordered a soft, and a hard arksanas stone from Halls proedge. Should be coming in a few days, and I will be getting a strop form Hand American when their site comes back up. Now I need to keep reading good advice on what to do with these things!:rolleyes:
 
Durbin said:
I have been using a Sypderco sharpmaker for the last couple of years. I was thinking of adding a lansky system for a change. Does anyone like to use it? What are the pro's and con's?
And is there anybody who still sharpens on bench stones? I always thought that was cool, is it as good as the systems that are out? If so.. I will get a few good stones and try that. Any body have reccomnedations? Should they be Arksanas stones? Thanks for the help.

Durbin
Click to expand...

I got rid of mine because the Sharpmaker and strop did about everything I needed to do. If I really wanted to put the shine on the apple I used my EdgePro Apex with tapes. It polishes an edge like you can't believe. It has an almost infinite choice of blade angles also.

http://1sharpknife.com/edgeprosales.html
 
Durbin said:
Just ordered a soft, and a hard arksanas stone from Halls proedge. Should be coming in a few days, and I will be getting a strop form Hand American when their site comes back up. Now I need to keep reading good advice on what to do with these things!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Good luck with your bench whetstones! Let us know how you do holding those angles and getting that edge.

I cheat when I use mine. I tape the blade and use those little alligator clips that hold papers together. They come in different sizes. The small ones I use hold the edge at almost 15 degrees which is perfect and I don't need to worry about rolling the edge or screwing up the angle.
 
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