All About Pocket Knives

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Not really a repair or restoration question but I'm not sure which forum to use.

In any event.... I'm an idiot when it comes to sharpening. I enjoy a sharp knife but already have too many other things to work on and fix (work as a bike mechanic on the side) and I know for a fact that I don't have the time to practice to get enough to get shaving sharp results working on a stone freehand.

A buddy recently loaned me his Lansky set up and WOW!! For the first time I was able to get knives shaving sharp. It's an idiot proof enough approach that even I can get an OK result.

Another friend has suggested that the Gatco system is better. Better stones, better clamp, more angle choices.

Thought I'd ask here to get more opinions. Is there a strong preference between the 2 systems?

Any other idiot-proof alternatives I should look at?

Thanks a bunch!

Good question. Over the years, I've purchased a half-dozen "short cut sharpeners", all electrified and none have been totally satisfactory. The Work Sharp I bought earlier in the year is just fine for kitchen knives but it sucks for pocket knives. These days, I'm too lazy to go back to my original Bear stone that in my youth, worked just fine. I've had my eye on a Lansky for several months so I'll be watching the replies to your question with great interest.

I can't speak of the Gatco, as I don't own one. But I have heard they are similar to the Lansky.

I have a Lansky. I upgraded to some diamond stones. Overall, I am very happy with the performance. I have a base mount that I purchased which stays screwed to my work bench, and then I can do my edge profiling on a stable surface.

My only criticisms are minor. I have had the stone come unglued on one grit. I have also had stress cracks in the plastic where the thumb screw tightens down on the rod. The rods do kinda get bent some times, but I think that is normal. The Lansky allows me to make short work of a blade. Like you said, pretty much idiot proof.

For profiling or re-profiling an edge, both would do the job just fine. I have heard people singing the virtues of the spyderco sharpmaker, but I think that's kind of a different animal.

I don't think your money would be wasted with a Lansky.

Glenn

As far as the Gatco having more angles, i would be curious to see how wide a blade would have to be to keep the stone from rubbing against the clamp. I have had a Lansky for 15+ years and no problems at all. No experience with a Gatco.

Tim

Hi All!

I have both of these sharpening systems compliments of their respective dealers at the '93 or '94 S.H.O.T Show. They both make sharpening easier for those not skilled with a freehand stone. My personal preference is the Lansky with the diamond stones.

The main gripe I have with the Lansky is as glennbad mentioned, the rods are susceptable to bending, need constant truing and the holder can crack at the mounting screw. The Gatco's sliding rod arrangement is a far better design aspect.

The main gripe I have with the Gatco is the clamp. Its clamp introduces an increasing bias of angle on one side when blades get thicker, as its clamp is designed such that it moves in relation to the fixed angle guides. The Lansky is superior by far here, as the guide and clamp angles, being independent of the blade thickness, do not introduce a noticeable bias.

The second gripe I have with the Gatco is the width of the stone holder. While it is "safer" for the fingers, it won't let you sharpen the edge of the blade all the way to the choil on most knives.

I really like the diamond coated hones in the Lansky set. I suspect the normal stone version of the Lansky would have the same issue I have noticed with the Gatco, namely that as the stone wears the cutting angles change slightly as you progress through the grades. The diamond coated metal hones do not suffer a change in thickness with use and do not need to be resurfaced to retain a level surface.

Finally, the available mounting systems for the Lansky are great. (I turned several for myself in the physics shop rather than buying them.) As designed, they impart no bending to the angle guides as occurs with the Gatco stuck in a slot mount.

I hope this comparison helps you make a choice.

Regards,
Russell

I bought a Lansky set-up way back in the eighties, and I'm still usinig it today. I recently replaced my stone hones with diamond (med and fine) and they work great. The stones were badly dished from use and as Old Goat said, the diamond's remain flat. I put the clamp on a 1/2 drill bit with a 1/4 inch shank and clamp the bit in a vise so it stays rigid and in place. I also replaced those pesky thumb screws with 8-32 x 3/8 pan head screws, so you get an extra 1/2 inch of stone to work for you. After establishing a bevel on a knife, you need only strop it to keep it sharp, unless you chip the blade or really use it hard.

Thanks all.

Very helpful.

I have had a Lanskey for years but have found that I do a better job with Diamond Machine Technology products. Just my 2cents.

even i can sharpen a knife with this one

That's a nifty set-up, Paul. Thanks for showing it.

paulsvintage wrote: even i can sharpen a knife with this one

Holy sheep shanks!!! For $250, I would hope so.
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/ZenCart/in ... jtq41j4413

jerryd6818 wrote:

paulsvintage wrote: even i can sharpen a knife with this one

Holy sheep shanks!!! For $250, I would hope so.
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/ZenCart/in ... jtq41j4413

Jerry. there is a 3 month wait for them gave me a little time to save up for it. i tried most of them with not much luck

Hi All,

Interesting stuff showing up here! I was unaware of the WickedEdge and DMT guided angle sharpeners prior to now. Also, I am surprised EdgePro has yet to be mentioned. I would like to try them all!

But truth be told, the only reason I have the Lansky and Gatco is because they were comp'd to me at the SHOT show. They do make quick work for most things and are suitable as such.

All of these gadgets fail once you leave the realm of the average pocket knife and small hunting knife. With small pen blades, very long blades and highly curved blades the setup is compromised by its very design. Notably clearance (narrow pen blades), support (long blades, particularly flexible fillet blades), and curvature related issues when the guided angle alters along great lengths or sharp curves.

As knives-are-quiet said, nothing beats using stones. But that takes years of practice and experience. Those of us fortunate enough to be able to utilize them properly are extremely happy with them.

But I will bet the farm that most people would be equally happy with any of these sharpening aids given the alternative of ruining a few blades during the learning curve with stones.

Regards,
Russell

I use a Lansky to get my blades where I want them. I carry the little Smith's
quick sharpener in my pack just in case I need somethng in the filed. I use the
diamond steel for speed while I am butchering. These three cover 99% of what
I need.

** EDIT ** I also use the same small Smith's quick sharpener in the kitchen.
Just a couple passes every other time or so and my knives are
very close to a razor edge, plenty good for food prep. They only
cost $4-5 and are very effective.

Can anyone explain to me why Lansky includes a separate guide rod for each stone in the set ? You only use one guide rod at a time and they are all interchangable so I just can't see the need for more than one in the set.

Phil

Phil, I leave my stones set up with the guide rods so I can use them at a moment's notice and they're all tuned up. I threw the case away long ago and just have the stones and clamp on my bench. I also replaced the thumb screws with pan head screws to increase the amount of stone that you can access. All the guide rods need to be attached to the stones so they are at the same angle when you begin honing. Otherwise, you are establishing a new bevel each time you change grits. In other words, you need to make sure they're all straight and in line with the hone's surface. This requires constant attention, as the rods are easily bent.

IMBand wrote:I carry the little Smith's
quick sharpener in my pack just in case I need somethng in the filed.
(snip...)

** EDIT ** I also use the same small Smith's quick sharpener in the kitchen.
Just a couple passes every other time or so and my knives are
very close to a razor edge, plenty good for food prep. They only
cost $4-5 and are very effective.

This is really good to know. It was actually going to be follow up question.

Do you prefer something like the Smith's to a small pocket steel?

Yes, I prefer the Smith's over a pocket steel. Only because it's very simple and fast, not
because I believe it produces superior results to a steel. It does a fine job in a pinch and
is one of my 'go to' kitchen tools.

I had a Lansky years ago, sold it and now own two Gatcos, a natural stone and a diamond, the difference to me is the rods are attached to each stone, and more versatile.

Click for a six minute Gatco Video. Seems a little cumbersome at first glance but I guess you would get used to it over time.

Edit: After looking at the Lansky again, to me, the two don't look all that different in theory of operation. Other than the obvious things like stone width and rod attachment to the stone, what am I missing here?

That was cumbersome. Is the Gatco able to accept a pedestal mount like the Lansky?

Tim

basser5 wrote:That was cumbersome. Is the Gatco able to accept a pedestal mount like the Lansky?

Tim

It appears so - http://www.amazon.com/Gatco-Easy-Grip-C ... 45&sr=8-12

Jerry......I think that would have made the video go a little smoother

Tim