Spyderco Sharpmaker vs. Lansky System

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
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Anybody used both?

I've owned a Sharpmaker for years and it has worked well on my smaller blades and those with a thin edge. However I've recently been trying to reprofile a couple blades and it is slow to do that. Seems a Lansky system would allow me more efficiency in doing that.

What are your opinions?
 
maybe with some aftermarket diamond stones for the sharpmaker it would be faster
anyway, maybe the sharpmaker is not the best for reprofiling
 
I have a sharpmaker and a gatco, which is very similar to a lansky.
I like both. My typical sharpening routine is to reprofile on the gatco with the diamond stones at 19 degrees. Then touch up with the sharpmakers 20 degree side. I get a nice micro bevel that is wicked sharp. They work well together.
 
I have Smith version of the Spyderco and I recently bought a Lansky. Now what I did was just by the main sharpener and a Extra Course and a Medium stone. Since we all know DMT's smooth out relatively fast, my stones are now course and fine :)

Anyhow I wouldn't buy the whole package at the price of 60+. I got it for 30 bucks (2 stones, rods and main) As far as performance on the Lansky for re profiling, it's awesome. If I have a nasty tough knife I'll use the belt sander to get it started then I use the Lansky to get the edge and the Spyder for touch ups. But otherwise you can re profile a knife with the proper stone in about 5 min maybe, this is after you already smoothed out the stone a bit. I suggest getting the extra course and medium. You really want to build a base though IMO. No need to buy it just build it.
 
TFin04 said:
Anybody used both?

I've owned a Sharpmaker for years and it has worked well on my smaller blades and those with a thin edge. However I've recently been trying to reprofile a couple blades and it is slow to do that. Seems a Lansky system would allow me more efficiency in doing that.

What are your opinions?
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Have both and use both -- the Sharpmaker for maintaining an edge and the Lansky with diamond stones for re-profiling a blade or for an extremely dull blade. Even with diamond rods, I've found the Sharpmaker a relatively poor solution for re-profiling a blade. But the Lansky with diamond stones works like a champ and is pretty fast too. Get both.
 
I own both and rarely if ever use the Lansky. For reprofiling I lay a course DMT diamond hone up against the Sharpmaker rod.
 
Charlie Moore said:
Have both and use both -- the Sharpmaker for maintaining an edge and the Lansky with diamond stones for re-profiling a blade or for an extremely dull blade. Even with diamond rods, I've found the Sharpmaker a relatively poor solution for re-profiling a blade. But the Lansky with diamond stones works like a champ and is pretty fast too. Get both.
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Yeah, that.

I have both and took a box one of my pistols came in and cut out places for all that stuff to nest in. I also have my Flitz in there, my torx screws, and a small bottle of Militec. That way, I can carry both kits around with me and the assorted stuff I need to handle whatever pops up.

I use the Sharpmaker more than anything but when it comes to re-profiling, I go to the Lansky.
 
I usually re-profile with a course diamond hone, or the belt grinder (very carefully).
Yes, the sharpmaker is painfully slow at re-profiling, but that's not what it was designed to do.
I don't know if the Lansky will give you much better results, the last time I used mine I found it kind of hard to use, lots of fumbling around, little things to tighten, and you end up with extra scratches on the blade (though my knives usually end up scratched all over anyway).
Even if the bevels are a little uneaven, I prefer doing things by hand.
And that 2x6" diamond hone works faster than anything else out there (excepting the Edge Pro).
 
Lansky for me. Gives my Striders & Bussikin knives the edge I need. Never used the other so I cant comment.
 
I'd say either lean a diamond benchstone against the sharpmaker, or skip lansky and go straight to a basic edgepro apex. I have both the lansky and edgepro, there's no comparison in terms of speed, ease of use, and stone durability. The coarser lansky hones wear out and dish very quickly, and honestly don't cut very fast for the effort you put in.
 
Charlie Moore said:
Have both and use both -- the Sharpmaker for maintaining an edge and the Lansky with diamond stones for re-profiling a blade or for an extremely dull blade. Even with diamond rods, I've found the Sharpmaker a relatively poor solution for re-profiling a blade. But the Lansky with diamond stones works like a champ and is pretty fast too. Get both.
Click to expand...

The sharpmaker diamond stones are good for reprofiling. They work fast very well.
 
I have, and use, the Lansky system, but with the diamond hones and a sapphire finishing hone.

For reprofiling, I like using the jig. Some of that blue masking tape is all that is needed against unwanted scratches.

What I like most about the Lansky hones are their inherent portability. With a little practice, they are easily used freehand for touch ups due to the way the little hones are easily stabilized in the off hand. For use with typical folders and >6" fixed blades, a spare fine diamond hone to use free handed is usually all I bother to take with me camping because it is small, tough, and fast.

I have tried the Sharpmaker and other crock stick set ups before and do not like them. They require a table top to use and that isn't always where I want to sharpen or touch up. The Lansky is more versatile by comparison.
 
I have had both for years and find the Lansky to work well to reprofile a blade and set the edge quite well, especially if you are unable to do so free handed. Once the edge is set and semetrical then the Sharpmaker can keep the edge sharp for you. I find the Sharpmaker isn't agressive enough to reprofile unless you want to take all day working on a blade.

I have started setting my edges on carry knives with a higher angle to allow for a thinner cutting edge. I find I like them better that way but none of my knives are hard use either.

John
 
Here is a factor that i have considered; I know the spyderco sharpmaker can do serations very well but what about the lansky? does one need the universal kit that has the triangle stone? or is there another way?
 
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