What sharpening kit to buy?

[jayrod]

I've been searching online to find a good sharpening kit that will produce good quality results and I've narrowed it down to these two;

1. Spyderco Kit - (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J3LnWB9S3U
Purchase site: http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77

2. Lansky Kit - (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7beX_EKXkmA
Purchase site: http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/LCS5D.php

Has anyone bought these or had experience with either one? I'm not worried about spending the extra money on a good kit so if you have any other suggestions please let me know. There are many others that tend to come with much more but knife sharpening seems like a fairly simply concept and I'm of the opinion that in this case less is more:smile:

[BlacktailStalker]

Lansky works well for me but nothing beats a quality stone.

[Steeleco]

I don't think there a whole lot of difference between either of them. I've got a 5 stone Lansky and it's great, the only improvement I could see would be diamond stones.

[Bow Walker]

I've been sharpening knive for more than 30 years (meatcutter) and if you do not have the necessary skills for an oistone sharpener, then I whole heartedly recommend the Lansky system.

[wolverine]

I have a 5 stone lansky as well and it does work well but I also have a two stage crock stick sharpener and it puts the finishing touch on the blade after the lansky is finished. I find the crocks also very easy and quick to point up the blade in the middle of field dressing a deer or bear. I like my knives like razors so I'll touch them up once or twice while skinning or gutting.

[325 wsm]

if you do not have the necessary skills for an oistone sharpener, then I whole heartedly recommend the Lansky system.[/quote]

That's why I use a Lansky.

[Ddog]

well after reading the spyderco kit i would highly recommend the LANSKY!
the reason for this is the angles.
one of the most popular angle for hunting knives is 25 degrees, i didnt see it in the spyderco kit and iown a lansky sharpening system and all my handmade knives receive a 25 degree finish with it.

[Steeleco]

One of these in the pack is a must.
http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/LSTCS.php

[tomahawk]

I don't have the skill to sharpen knives properly but the Lansky has worked like a charm for me for the last 20 years.

[ibehuntin]

I also have 5 stone Lansky, and love it. But if I was to replace it, it would be with a Lansky diamond kit.

[Lone Ranger]

http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=34&cid=1 Smith's. Maybe not the best, but its worked well for me for several years. I used to use an oiled stone but I've just gotten lazy over the years ;) The price was right too when I bought it. LR

[Fisher-Dude]

I have a Lansky with regular stones that works well, but I've picked up 3 diamond stones for it over the past year and they work just that much better (well, faster than regular stones anyway). Both get knives razor sharp, with the correct angle.

[Stresd]

Bought a Spyderco V kit back in the 80's at the BC place sportsman shown from one of those demonstration booths. Works excellent. Gets a lot of use as it has always done my hunting groups knives as well over the last twenty years. Came with the medium and fine ceramics that only need the occasional wash in soapy water as maintenance.

[blacklab]

Lansky, diamond no question. You can get away with stones if you are working on knives with basic tool steels, modern steels demand modern sharpeners.

[huntwriter]

Growing up in family of meat processors I learned to sharpen knives at an early age. I still use fine grit Japanese sandstones with water, NOT oil. The ticket to a sharp knife that keeps the edge is in angle you keep the knife, the pressure you apply and the motion. All my knives could be used to shave with, even after processing beef carcasses all day long, here (http://members.shaw.ca/masterbutcher/meat_cutting_tutorial/tools.html) is some good advice on sharpening knives the right way.

[BCRiverBoater]

I have owned a 5 stone Lansky for about 10 years. Works great and anyone can use it. I am in the process of replacing the stones with diamonds.

[huntcoop]

One of these in the pack is a must.
http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/LSTCS.php

Steeleco...this baby looks like just what I'm looking for.....midway through skinning or gutting the knife is no longer sharp, with a handful of strokes through this bad boy, will the knife be razor sharp?

[huntwriter]

Steeleco...this baby looks like just what I'm looking for.....midway through skinning or gutting the knife is no longer sharp, with a handful of strokes through this bad boy, will the knife be razor sharp?

It does a great job for touching up the edge. Just don't apply to much pressure or you shave the steel right off the knife. I use it in the field for my knife and arrow broadheads.

[GoatGuy]

another lansky

[Fisher-Dude]

Steeleco...this baby looks like just what I'm looking for.....midway through skinning or gutting the knife is no longer sharp, with a handful of strokes through this bad boy, will the knife be razor sharp?

Coop, buy a better knife so it holds an edge 'til yer done! You got one with a Canucks logo on it or somethin'? :razz:

[Dirty]

I sharpen with a water stone like Huntwriter and I have never had to switch knives while skinning or gutting.

[Chuck]

Wet stones or oil stones are great, but they have to be kept true. This entails grinding the face flat. Quite a few years back I learned about another method which is quite good, so I offer it here for you to try. It's not meant to be portable though. Get a piece of plate glass, about 1/4 inch thick by a foot square. Buy some spray adhesive and some sheets of various grits of wet-dry automotive sand paper - the black stuff that they use on cars. I get some sheets of each of the three finest grades. I cut the sheets into three strips each, then using the spray glue, tack one of each grade along an edge of the plate of glass, double up on the finest grade. Starting with the coarsest - apply some light oil and push the knife away along the strip, all while maintaining the correct angle. Satisfied? Rotate the glass to mid grade, some light oil. and finally to the finest grade. Use the knife like you are trying to shave a thin layer off of the sand paper. Get the idea? Don't hurry! This is best done while you are alone, listening to some music and having a brewski. Oh ya, get some of that rubbery drawer lining to put under the glass so it won't slip.

[jayrod]

Lot's of good advice. I'm now looking at the lanksy diamond set. Although the do it yourself system chuck shared is also very intriguing.

[dime]

I have the lansky diamond stone kit, but beware it is expensive. Not only in terms of inital outlay but the real problem is all my buddies now want to use it when we are in camp so the stones are losing their diamond coating, and may need to be replaced at substantial cost. Having said that I would highly recommend the product.

[goatdancer]

I have the lansky diamond stone kit, but beware it is expensive. Not only in terms of inital outlay but the real problem is all my buddies now want to use it when we are in camp so the stones are losing their diamond coating, and may need to be replaced at substantial cost. Having said that I would highly recommend the product.

You could make money charging for the use of your sharpener. That or the guys should be providing all the booze for your trips.....

[killman]

I have one of these

http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/LKUNV.php


and one of these


http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/LKUNV.php



and one of these


http://www.lanskysharpeners.com/LRRDF.php

[moosinaround]

I use a wet stone, ceramic sticks, and a diamond steel. Knives are sharp! I also have a few knives in my pack so if one gets dull, I switch knives and sharpen when I'm done. Moosin

[huntwriter]

I have the lansky diamond stone kit, but beware it is expensive. Not only in terms of inital outlay but the real problem is all my buddies now want to use it when we are in camp so the stones are losing their diamond coating, and may need to be replaced at substantial cost. Having said that I would highly recommend the product.

Don’t let your buddy’s touch your sharpener. I trained my buddy’s well. None of them touches my knives, sharpener, rifle, bow or food. IT’S MIEN DO NOT TOUCH IT.:smile:

[one-shot-wonder]

I have a Gatsco sharpening system, still gettign used to it. Not sure if I like the edges it provides as much as the plain old stone I used to always sharpen my knives with in the past. Regardless always clean up all my edges with a quality steel afterwards!

[SHACK]

I would vote for the lansky as well, I have had one for about 15 years now and they work great.
I will also put my 2 cents in about the carbide sharpeners. I personally feel that they are a great way to ruin an otherwise great knife. They are designed to shear metal away from your edge to create a sharp blade, but if used with any type of pressure you will wind up notching your blade as you slide over your edge.
For quick in field touch ups your much better off to learn how to use a small steel! JMO

[huntcoop]

FD, I have an older Gerber, one of those bolt action x-change a blade thangs, I guess I need to get it good and sharp then just keep touching it up.........