What am I doing wrong? Lansky sharpener.

W

whiplash

Joined
Dec 12, 2005
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I just picked up a 5 stone Lansky sharpener and can't seem to get an edge with it to save my life. I have been pacticing with a small 2" folder. I have tried using one stroke from base to tip and also the ABCDE method in the instructions. I have tried light pressure, more pressure, 20 and 25 degrees and still no luck.

I finally got disgusted and pulled out my trusty crock sticks and in less than a minute, the hair on my arm was flying. What am i doing wrong? I really would like to make it work since I need a way to sharpen my broadheads.
 
I just tried another broadhead blade and marked it so I could verify I had the proper angle. All looked good and I used less pressure this time. Finally got it to shave but not scary sharp. Does it just take a lot of strokes with the ultra fine hone?
 
It should not assuming the coarse bevel goes right to the edge. Can the edge easily slice fine paper off of the coarse stone?

-Cliff
 
I'm a big fan of the Lansky kit. I get all my knives plenty, plenty sharp with just the 3-stone version.

The only thing you really need to pay attention to is the burr.

Sharpen coarse till you get the burr all the way down the edge. Flip it and sharpen till the burr's on the other side.

Do the same at medium- sharpen till the burr is there, then flip and repeat.

Then when you get to your finest stone (I stop at the fine stone then strop. Maybe you want to use the UF stone too, no problem), it changes a little. Then you have to get your burr, flip, get the burr, flip, get the burr, etc, etc... but as you go with a lighter hand each time you flip, the burr should form smaller and smaller. Last couple flips will be basically two or three strokes, and barely touching the metal. Just making sure the burr is gone. At that point it will pass all your normal sharpness tests: cut hairs above the skin, vertical cut down through a standing sheet of magazine paper, etc. Strop it if you want that extra little bit of sharpness. I use red compound on cardboard.

Remember, it's all about the burr, man. The burr is the key. The burr.
;)
Mike
 
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