sharpmaker vs. lansky

[AntDog]

I need to know which one is better at sharpening more different blade types. I have recurves, tantos, drop points, clip points, etc. so I need something that is very flexible and gives a shaving sharp edge.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Crayola]

Sharpmaker, period. It does fish hooks and scizzors too!

If you do a search about sharpening, you'll invariably get recommendations for the Sharpmaker. Dollar for dollar, it is the best sharpener.

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"Come What May..."

 

[callahwj]

The sharpmaker is better for maintaining resonably sharp blades, serrated blades, and recurves. If you plan on doing a large number of blades, or restoring edges to dull blades, or doing any reprofiling of edges, this will take a long time on the sharpmaker. I have a lansky, and it's a great value and a great product. I think it's lousy for serrated edges, personaly, even with the triagular stones sold for that purpose. The sharpmaker is about 20 bucks more (50 vs. 30, MSRP). They're both great, but I'd say if I can only have one it would be the lansky. Inexpensive, time tested, works great on plain edges, little skill required, and it teaches you alot about sharpening that can be applied to all types of sharpeners, especialy if you're new to sharpening (I was, don't know if you are.) I think if I had more serated knives, I'd probably have a different opinion. Anyway, that's just my observations, your mileage may vary. One more thing. Lots of blades with false edges, double edges, or other unconvetional grinds will be harder to keep in the clip, larger blades require movement of the clip. If you plan on sharpening lots of giant bowies or khukuris, or dagger ground blades, you might prefer the sharpmaker for convenience of use, if not time. Good luck, I don't think you can go too wrong either way.

------------------
William Callahan

"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without
hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd
never expect it."
-Jack Handey

I'm one of those wierdos who likes Zytel.

 

[glockman99]

Spyderco Sharpmaker. Sal REALLY knew what he was doing when he brought-out this GEM of a sharpening-system! (Now, if only Spyderco would come-out with the diamond hones for the Sharpmaker...).

.

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663

 

[knifenerd]

Ditto on the Sharpmaker 204. It will handle recurved edges with ease, which many other sharpening systems won't. Just remember to use only the "corners" of the stones on recurved edges.

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Dick

[This message has been edited by knifenerd (edited 05-16-2001).]

 

[The Magician]

Sharpmaker 204.

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Brian
The first knife was probably used to cut stuff.

 

[Hawaiian]

You need both. The Lansky Diamond system for reprofiling to a razor sharp edge and the sharpmaker for maintaining the edge. Or a good set of crock sticks. They both serve a different purpose and both do it very well.

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Aloha

 

[Crayola]

reprofiling, grinding in relief, or whatever you call it, can be done a number of ways. yes, the sharpmaker is best at setting and maintaining an edge. To reprofile or grind in relief, I suggest any rough stone that is convenient for you. Holding a constant angle isn't all that important when grinding in relief. This can be done with a $7 stone from Wal-Mart.

The best sharpening rig is still a belt sander and a buffer!

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"Come What May..."

 

[rdangerer]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Crayola:
The best sharpening rig is still a belt sander and a buffer!
</font>

I'd agree with that, but it takes practice to keep from fouling up a nice knife on a belt sander or a mildly abrasive wheel. I've been practicing on my machete's, and am not ready for prime time on my good stuff quite yet. Many of the makers do it exactly this way, notably but with variations, Chris Reeve and Greg Lightfoot...and I'm sure MANY others. CRK and Lightfoot deliver some of the nicest edges on new knives I've seen.

I agree with all of what Hawaiian and Callahwj (Wm Callahan) wrote.

My opinion is that opinions from those who have tried both, and who currently use multiple methods to sharpen stuff would seem to be better rounded.

I think the Sharpmaker is, on average, over-rated on these forums. That may be because it is the most widely owned. But that doesn't mean it isn't a good sharpener, with pros/cons of it's own. And predictably, someone will chime in and say I'm an idiot for offering my opinion since it isn't glowing for the 204, and that adds nothing to the discussion, and is predictable.

Both have their strengths. I pretty much enjoy owning them both, using whichever fits the situation better. Having said that, I find myself using my Lansky about 5 times more often, but I learned on the Lansky (good one to learn on, ditto what Callahan said) with diamond, have reprofiled most of my knives on Lansky, which takes far too much work on a 204, so touchups on the Lansky go very quickly.

Sharpmaker is good for quick touchups, from small to big knives, and great for serrations (some serrations are not easy to sharpen at all, those with tight clearances between teeth.) Works on scissors. Works on recurves.

My buddy has a Gatco, similar to Lansky. He tried my Lansky, liked his Gatco better for a number of reasons that escape me, but I trust him on stuff like this. I'd take a hard look at Gatco in diamond

Lansky is great for up to 4.5" blades, then you have to move the jig. Many bemoan this point, but I have no problem blending the grind when I move the jig. Learn on a smaller knife and then progress. I find the stones are narrow enough that the big majority of recurves present zero problem. One that was a problem was the very tight radiused Emerson LaGriffe (which came pretty dull NIB). The LaGriffe radius was indeed too small for the Lansky.

Use a web search engine and see the EdgePro Apex and Professional also, another jig type system, better execution in some ways, and of course higher priced to boot. They handle larger knives, easily if they aren't double ground, requires more dexterity but what the heck, you can practice. I just got mine, so see other threads for pros/cons in more detail.

Use the forum's search engine on this very content rich topic. There are recent posts that have some depth.

P.S., I've sharpened numerous tantos on the Lansky, and recently knocked down the edge angle from 40+ to 30 degrees on my Emerson Mach-I. So chisels are ok on Lansky but 30 degrees is max. I think Gatco goes a bit steeper but am not positive. Check web site.

Also, DMT makes a jig system, I haven't checked it out, you should.

I use a motorized diamond wheeled sharpener for kitchen knives... it is really quick and works well. Chef's Choice EdgeSelect 120. I can take a dozen knives back to kind of a rough shaving edge in 6 minutes or less when steeling won't do it. Very quick. Subconciously, I think I want to wear out my Henckels collection so I can buy something better. Maybe custom.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 05-17-2001).]

 

[Frantium]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Also, DMT makes a jig system, I haven't checked it out, you should.</font>

The only problem I have with the DMT Aligner is that the screw is made of plastic and not enough friction to keep the clamp tight. Tighten it too much and the screw will untighten itself, if I untighten it, well, my hand will be in danger. Other than that, the stones are excellent. I usually use the DMT stones with my Lansky clamp although arguably it will screw up the angle a bit.

PS. If you buy a Lansky get the Universal mount too. It makes life easier on you.