Anyone here a sharpening guru that I could pick their brain a bit?

[Rux]

Hello.

I've had a friend of mine sharpen my blades for some time now, but I'd like to get into doing it myself.

I recently received a $50 Bass Pro gift card and am browsing their website looking at sharpening kits.

Among the items/kits in their online store (link provided with sharpener's) what would you recommend for a beginner?

Staying away from the Spyderco Sharpmaker for now, as it's overpriced by about $30 compared to Amazon and I'd like to use the Bass Pro card I have.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=knife+sharpener

[detron]

I have one like this

http://www.basspro.com/Lansky-Sharpening-System-Deluxe-Kit/product/41170/

that I bought in the late 90s.  I have been happy with it, however I do not have anything to compare it to.  I have been able to put a razor edge on some blades with it.  my biggest warning about this set (unless they have corrected this over the years) is that small blades are impossible to sharpen with this set. the stone hits the edge of the holder preventing the stone from hitting the edge of the blade.

I am no sharpening pro,  one will be along soon

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

DMT do a very good sharpening kit, I'm in the UK so I have no idea how much they go for in the US but are worth a look imo

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[nervium]

http://www.basspro.com/Lansky-Deluxe-TurnBox-Crock-Stick-Knife-Sharpener/product/60915/

i like this but i use sharpmaker with uf Stones. pay some more and take it.

[comis]

Not a sharpening 'guru', but I'd say the same to go for a  lansky system, if you don't mind investing more time and practice into that system and it looks like the best use of money on Bass Pro.

I own a Wicked Edge, but never use the Lansky.  The issue about system as such is that you need to be fairly accurate and consistent on how you clamp onto the knife, or you might not be able to sharpen at the factory angle or reproducing the result.

In retrospect, for minimum practice and decent result, I do own and also recommend the Lansky turnbox, which is very similar to Sharpmaker but with different angle.

[Rux]

I was planning to get a Sharpmaker later and possibly some extra stones through Amazon to compensate things missing.

Was at a toss up between the Deluxe Lansky system or the Smith's Tri Hone Sharpener for starters. Was leaning towards the Lansky Deluxe, as it comes with 5 grits/stones right out of the gate. The Diamond kit through Bass Pro only has 3 stones to it.

I just wasn't sure if the Tri Hone would be better due to the complaints I've read about the Lansky clamp, particularly when using small or extra large blades.

Tri Hone: http://www.basspro.com/Smith&39;s-Tri-Hone-Sharpener/product/10847/

Lansky Deluxe: http://www.basspro.com/Lansky-Sharpening-System-Deluxe-Kit/product/41170/

I know the Sharpmaker is good for touching up edges, but I've got a slew of cheap crappy knives that are dull as hell I'd like to practice on and I've read the Sharpmaker is good at touching up and keeping sharp, but not great for really dull knives.

[jerseydevil]

I have two of the Lansky sets, one at home and one in the back room at work.  With a bit of practice it's easy to get a razor-sharp edge with it.

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[Rux]

Lansky Deluxe Kit it is, thanks all! 

[Styerman]

Word of advise - practice on some cheap but serviceable paring knives first ( Henkel single twin {Brazilian made} , or Vic . Also , at some point , get a flat stone . Mastering a flat stone means you can use pretty much anything . Get an old leather belt , and make a strop . I use the strop most of the time .

Chris

[nervium]

I know the Sharpmaker is good for touching up edges, but I've got a slew of cheap crappy knives that are dull as hell I'd like to practice on and I've read the Sharpmaker is good at touching up and keeping sharp, but not great for really dull knives.

i agree, but some sandpaper trick does the job easily.

[MGill]

Word of advise - practice on some cheap but serviceable paring knives first ( Henkel single twin {Brazilian made} , or Vic . Also , at some point , get a flat stone . Mastering a flat stone means you can use pretty much anything . Get an old leather belt , and make a strop . I use the strop most of the time .

Chris

I agree with this. I own a sharp maker myself and I use it occasionally. But I carry a couple of different grit stones and a glass rod in my lunch pale. I use these almost every day. There is a certain feeling of success when you take a worn blade and bring it back to near scalpel sharpness with nothing but a flat stone, a glass rod, and some oil. And once you start carrying a sharpening setup in you pack. You will be considered by your coworkers as the office expert on all things sharp.

[powernoodle]

Or, you can go straight from Zero to Hero with an Edge Pro Apex.  It's spendy, and its also cheating, but it pretty much does the job for you.

[Rux]

It's crossed my mind powernoodle. 

One day, meantime I've got a few too many toys I need to buy to round out my EDC. Perhaps later this year.

[Rux]

First attempt. I can do better but practice makes perfect. Happy with the results for my first time.

[Syndicate]

What sharpening system did you use?

[Rux]

Lansky Deluxe Kit + 2000 grit blue Sapphire stone (didn't come in the Lansky kit). Lansky strop hone and compounds by stropman.com

Instructional video and supply list I went by. The supply list is in the video description.

[Goatlord666]

did you get the mount? it sure makes sharpening a lot easier

[Rux]

I did, made a world of difference!