I struggled for years with a variety of stones and jigs trying to get a perfect knife edge. About 6 years ago I found this Lansky system that is simple and (relatively) inexpensive and absolutely foolproof for putting an absolute razor edge from one end of your blade to the other, including the point. It has 4 different angles that you can choose from depending on the use of the knife, from razor to chopping edge. I used it today on a little 2.5 inch Gerber folding knife I carry and was reminded what a wonderful kit it is. http://www.thebladeshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1523 Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's a very nice setup. It's funny how "that's not good enough" leads one on quests to end up with rigs like that. Do you have a particular knife brand or type you prefer in the kitchen? -- I almost hate to do this - but, honestly, it's puzzled me that a knife company shares a name with a baby food company - after all, nothing goes together like babies and pointy things. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm old-fashioned and use a series of stones, takes more skill but that's part of the fun! That looks like a good alternative though. One tip I learned from a pro: never use oil on a stone: it clogs the stone. Use water.
I still use waterstones for my wood chisels, bright as mirrors, hard to even look at without cutting your eyeballs!
There are two names to look for on your knife blades: Sheffield (from England) and Solingen (Germany.) There are also good Japanese names but I don't know them. My Solingen blade: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I like my Lansky but have upgraded to the Edge Pro. It's fabulous. http://www.accuratesharp.com/edge-pro.htm
Dan would your kit work on large blades like the USMC KaBar?? I have been looking for a kit that would not weigh down the pack like a set of rocks does. Hell how about really big blades like the damn short swords some of my Marines insist on taking to battle?? (Over 12 inch blades) In an interesting story, I once had a 1900 USMC NCO Sword that was made by Wilkinson back when they made REAL swords. Unlike the cookie cutter blades on our swords now days- this one looked the same as it's modern bastard son- but the blade was like 2 lbs heaver. You could use it to cut down trees if you had too!!! And my punk ass sold the thing a few years before I joined up!! Now days I kick myself just thinking about it!!!!
Funny thing, but you'd be surprised at the actual weight of a proper blade. The one pictured above is 1 lb 12 oz, and will cut down anything you like. It's a proper cavalryman's weapon from 1870, not a dress toy.
Cool beans! Interesting fun fact.... The US Army spent about 2 million in testing the ultimate Calvary blade. They went through tests on slashing vs. stabbing in charges and in the end came up with the ultimate sword for the mounted warrior. It was introduced in 1911. (Same year as the Colt .45.)
Yeah, that's what I love about mine. It is the ultimate expression of the art, and obsolete when it was made. Still a very effective home defense system....
One tip on it, don't hold it in your hand like the pic, put the downward part in a vice (with wood faced jaws is best). When you use it, don't worry about the little rods swiveling left and right (you don't have to try to tighten the little screw so tight that it makes a rigid device) but make sure they stay all the way in the hole of the stone so the angle stays the same.
For kitchen knives, go Global. Nothing beats Global for the money. Ask any top chef (I mean TOP chef.) I bought a 3-pc set off eBay and I love them all.
Went with an Edge Pro myself. And for Dr Strangelove - with a little care it'll do my Gerber Mk II and handles my Aitor Jungle King with ease....along with our larger chef's knives. So it'll take on that simple KaBar no problem
Wife thinks I'm nuts. I love sharpening my knives. Used the Lansky system for about 7 years. We even have a set of carving knives that only I use since she is afraid of how sharp they are. Nothing worse than a dull knife. I am going to check out that Edge Pro. Looks pretty good.
Guess what I found after all these years? Why nothing less than a box full of all those old, stained, ugly, but lovely high carbon knives! Lansky sharpener is accounted for, I'm sharpening tonight!
Nice! Been using the Lansky system for over 5 years (sharpen my P. Sabatiers about once per year) It's not a fast process, but being able to turn a thin piece of paper into confetti afterwards is very satisfying!
