Victorinox 111mm Lansky sharpening angle

[dks]

I got 3 used Victorinox 111mm locking knives, 2 rucksack and a cowboy (pictures later).

Their blades could do with some sharpening, so, from anybody using the Lansky system, what is the most suitable angle to use?

Should I just go with free hand sharpening?

I have other similar models, but have not needed to sharpen them yet.

[jatrias]

Don't have the Lansky I just freehand it! The factory edge on the vics is about 15 degrees per side 30 degrees inclusive. The steel on the vics is on the soft side so a few pases on each side should be enuff, depending on how blunt the edge is. You can start with 10 pases per side and test the edge. Repeat if needed.

[dks]

 
Many thanks

From their site:
LANSKY SHARPENING ANGLES
17° ANGLE. A severe angle only recommended for razor
blades, X-Acto® blades or similar tools. Provides an extremely
sharp but highly delicate edge.
20° ANGLE. A commonly used angle for higher grade, quality
blades. Provides an excellent edge for these types of knives.
Ideal for kitchen knives.
25° ANGLE. The recommended angle for most knives that
need a durable, sharp edge. Ideal for hunting and outdoor
knives.
30° ANGLE. An outstanding angle for knives that see the
heavy use of cutting cardboard, wire or carpets. Only for
heavy duty use.

I see that I will need to use the largest angle setting, unless I do it free hand.

I would have usually sharpened any slipjoint or Swiss army knife by hand, but I am trying to get my moneys worth from the lansky, instead of using it only for larger blades (e.g Kitchen knives.)

[KiwiMark]

I keep mine sharp, so they don't need much work each time - I just strop on a home-made paddle strop made from an old belt that broke with green polishing compound.  It seems to do the job quite nicely, the steel on the SAKs is pretty easy to sharpen.  I use my strop on most of my knives, including kitchen ones - I only go to other methods when initially setting a bevel or repairing damage.  When I do use my DMT Aligner or belt sander I still use my strop to finish - so my strop that cost less than two bucks is my most used sharpening device by a huge margin.

[ICanFixThat]

Ya, I think you could go with 20 if you like your knives sharp, no problem.  It just might take a few more passes the first time if the angle is currently higher... I didn't measure, but I'd bet the existing angle is closer to 20 than 30.  You can check it using the andle on the sharpener and see which one is laying the flatest on the edge and not touching the shoulder.

[dks]

 
Many thanks to all, today, after cleaning them yesterday, I will oil and sharpen them, maybe even polish the scales a bit.

[dks]

Done!

The most suitable angle was 20 degrees, practically identical, for the Lansky, to the factory angle.
They are now hair shaving sharp.
...and, having had to remove a dent from one of the edges, I can verify that hte steel they used is not as soft as people sometimes assume. (I have the lansky deluxe, without diamond stones)

[Ashley]

I always do 20 per side.