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Sharpening system for 3" blades
- Thread starter usfpaul82
- Start date
You don't mention what knives you have, and it makes a difference. Some knives have funky stuff goin on, on the spine. That magnifies the weak link of clamp style sharpeners. If you have normally spined knives, then you should have no problems.
I would be remiss to not include a vote for a couple of DMT bench stones. They are more versatile and a lot more fun to use once you get the hang of it. "Freehand" sharpening is something that every knife guy ought to know. Just my 2c.
I would be remiss to not include a vote for a couple of DMT bench stones. They are more versatile and a lot more fun to use once you get the hang of it. "Freehand" sharpening is something that every knife guy ought to know. Just my 2c.
Personally, I used and like the GATCO system until I ran into the DMT. I gave the GATCO away and never looked back.
The DMT system is far more versatile, easier to set up, and depending upon the choice of systems, cheaper. If you want a good clamp system, go with the DMT. You can always use the stones to freehand if you decide to later, but then... you can use sandpaper to freehand too.
Stitchawl
The DMT system is far more versatile, easier to set up, and depending upon the choice of systems, cheaper. If you want a good clamp system, go with the DMT. You can always use the stones to freehand if you decide to later, but then... you can use sandpaper to freehand too.
Stitchawl
Yes, they have diamond whetstones. I have the DMT Aligner Deluxe Diamond set w/ course (45 micron/325 mesh), fine (25 micron/600 mesh) and extra-fine (9 micron/1200 mesh) diamond whestones. There is also an extra-extra-fine (3 micron/8000 mesh) available now. It makes pretty short work of my ZDP-189 and S30V steels. I will be getting the 8" Razor Sharp System paper wheels shortly though. As am matter of fact, I'm picking up a 6" variable-speed bench grinder after work today. I want a polished edge in less than 2 minutes. I don't particularly enjoy sharpening a knife for 15-20 minutes.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,540
If you do decide on either the Lansky or GATCO, I've found the Lansky to be a little easier to use on small blades. The Lansky stones are narrower than the GATCO stones. A narrower stone can offer a little more precision on smaller blades, especially on blades with a recurve. I've also found the narrower stones to be an advantage when sharpening the very tip of the blade. Again, it provides a little more precision when working on a small portion of the blade edge.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2010
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- 392
Thanks for the infor...shoot me an email if you decide to part with the aligner setup you have.
I have sharpened my Benchamde 710-D2, Kershaw Blur CB (ZDP-189/Sandvik) and Zero Tolerance ZT0300. While not ideal, the DMT Aligner Diamond can sharpen recurves. You just need to pay extra attention on the recurve area and the position of the whetstone. Basically the edges of the whetstone is doing the sharpening especially the trailing edge so you need to make sure that is making contact with the edge as you sharpen. I can get my recuves quite sharp but really looking at a more polished edge which is why I'm switching to the paper wheels. As it is now I would called my edges a great working edge. I really don't have a need to have it any sharper functionally speaking as my knives cut everything very well. The polished edge I desire is more for "bling"
. I would probably get better results with the extra-extra-fine DMT whetstone though, which I don't have.As already mentioned, the Lansky system uses a narrower stone which gets into a recurve a little better.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,540
I haven't yet tried the Aligner, but DMT does have some curved-face hones (for recurve blades) which can be used with the Aligner system.
http://www.dmtsharp.com/press/aligner.htm
As I mentioned in my earlier post, the Lansky hones will work for all but the most severe recurves. I used mine to reprofile a ZT-0350, which is a recurve.
USFPaul: Any reason you did not look at the Spyderco Sharpmaker? I am needing to keep a keen edge on my Persistence and want to make sure I can keep kitchen knives sharp. I like the DMT Quad System but Amazon has the Sharpmaker around $45 and lots of people say that one is great. SO I am torn.
Sweet. Do they make those in extra-fine?
They have what they call the Wave too in fine and in extra-fine.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2010
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- 392
yes i looked into it, but i don't think it will be for me. I like the idea and all, but from all that I have read it is best at touching up already sharp blades. It takes a very long time to reprofile or get dull blades sharp. They have the diamond rods but very expensive...same with the extra fine rods. I just think you get more for your money with the other systems. I am new to sharpening though so maybe someone else with more experience will chime in.
Does the system that USFPaul got have the aligner things? I think my knifes are reasonably sharp, at least the pocket knife is, but hey, what I think is decent may be dull to more experienced guys. I do want something that can sharpen the cheap kitchen knives, the scissors and what all