Hello everybody, new user here.

[Mr. Yuck Mouth]

Greetings fellow Spyderco fans!

I'm a long time Spyderco user and I've been lurking around these forums for a while and thought I'd say hello. I've recently aquired a Calypso Jr. in VG-10, own a couple of Native 1s in the S30V and have had an old school Delica and even a little Q(lost, who knew they'd be so collectable?) many years ago.

Anyways, my first question for you guys: Any thoughts on using a Lansky system on Spyderco blades? Am I much better off getting a Sharpmaker?

[Dr. Snubnose]

Yes the sharpmaker is worth it's weight in Gold...Welcome aboard and Enjoy the forum....Doc

[Hannibal Lecter]

Welcome to the Forums!

I have owned both the Lansky System and the Sharpmaker. Get a Sharpmaker.

Trust me on this one.

--------
Hannibal

[Gerard Breuker]

Welcome,

I still have both systems but I do not use the Lansky anymore. The Sharpmaker is much easier to use with at least equal but usually better results.

[Senate]

Welcome,

I still have both systems but I do not use the Lansky anymore. The Sharpmaker is much easier to use with at least equal but usually better results.

same here, Gatco Vs Sharpmaker... Sharpmaker wins by KO!


edited to add: I do use my gatco from time to time when the job requires heavy reprofiling, but that's just because I don't have the diamond stones for the sharpamker yet so it's faster to do it with the coarse stone of the gatco... having to oil the stone turns things into a dirty mess too :)
last thing, flat ground blades and clamp system don't mix...

[boxer93]

Mr. Yuck Mouth,
Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your stay. I have no experience with Lansy's so I can't help there. I do have a few Q's though :D
Chris

[ghostrider]

I'll second what Gerard and the good Doctor said. I have used the Lansky for about four years and just recently aquired a Sharpmaker. While the Lansky is cheaper I prefer the Sharpmaker.

Lansky

Pros

Cheaper
More hones (three different grit with standard kit, five with delux)
Polished edge. Some will say the Lansky allows a more polished edge, but I have not checked the grit of Spyderco's ultra fine hones.
Lowest setting can, in actuality, be below 30 degrees inclusive.
Allows more varied angles (four on Lansky opposed to two on Sharpmaker, although the Sharpmaker allows more angles for various other tools).


Cons
Much more involved, complicated set-up.
Not any easier to maintain consistant edge than Sharpmaker (less on 3"+ blades)
"Can be" quite messy.
Switching from different hones is more involved.
On blades over 3.25", it can become necessary to move the guide. This can be a tricky process.
Doesn't provide as consistant an edge, IMHO and experience, as the Sharpmaker.


Sharpmaker

Pros

More simple in setup and, operation.
Puts a much more professional, cleaner, keaner edge on the blade. (Lansky may work in this area for others, but after four years with the Lansky, and one week with the Sharpmaker, I do a better job with the Sharpmaker).
Quicker. For some reason the Sharpmaker seems to put the edge on faster, still haven't figured that one out.
Easier set-up, cleaning, and opperation.
Don't have to re-set-up after each knife.
Ergos. Personal choice here. While in use, the Sharpmaker muse have all parts removed from case since case is used in process. This provides a more compact storage design. The Lansky storage case is more like an old gun cleaning kit and can hold hones while using.
Funner to use.
IMHO, it requires less dexterious skill.
Allows sharpening of more various tools.


Cons
[list=1]
Definatly cost more (seemingly). NKG sells the Lansky standard kit for about $23, while the Sharpmaker Costs about $47 with only two different grit hones oposed to the Lansky's three. Something to look at here is "bang for buck". I own the five hone, deluxe Lansky system with extra hones of "extra corse diamond", "super fine blue saphire", and the v-shaped "fine" for serrations. Even though my Lansky seems to offer more, I don't feel a need to used it with the different grits that the Sharpmaker doesn't have.This could also be a "pro" as the Sharpmaker doesn't require the use of more hones.
Only two "main" angles for sharpening knives.
Lowest of those angles is 30 degrees inclusive, although if your that good you'll probably have other arangements. (Vampyrewolf)
Some one else is going to have to help me with the cons. I've run out of creative juices.


I understand that my experience with the Sharpmaker is somewhat limited (still having a problem with my 10" chef's knife), but, since getting it, I haven't felt a need to use the Lansky. It's faster, finer, and funner :) .

P.S.
Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay. :)

[aquaboy420]

Mr. Yuck Mouth,

Hey there, welcome to the forums. I cannot comment on the Lansky but my Sharpmaker definitely does the job and it's very easy to use. Cheers.

-greg

[Burnett]

same here, Gatco Vs Sharpmaker... Sharpmaker wins by KO!

I also have a Gatco and a Sharpmaker. I never use the Gatco, but I use the Sharpmaker very regularly. Because it is much faster and cleaner to use, you are also more likely to maintain the edge of your knives instead of postponing the sharpening till they are dull.

[Mr. Yuck Mouth]

Thanks for the prompt and well thought out responses. I hold your opinions in high regard.

I've had the 5 hone lansky system for a while and have actually done some minor damage to some non-Spyderco knives with it. All in all it does seem to work well if the user pays attention to what they are doing.

The Sharpmaker seems to get almost universal praise. I've noted that many owners of non-Spyderco knives ie. Sebenzas also recommend it's use. That speaks volumes. So I guess the question now is, where can I get a good deal on one?

[ghostrider]

So I guess the question now is, where can I get a good deal on one?

http://newgraham.com/sharpene.htm

[psimonl]

Welcome Mr. Yuck Mouth...(Strange name :confused: )

I think ghostrider pins it very well. I too used lansky and thought my knives were pretty sharp. But hell no... I can still get them sharper with the 204... And its the best for serrated knives and all those tools and sharp objects lying around in kitchen drawers or in the bathroom...

Oh, ghostrider, I have a cons for the 204, DON'T DROP THE CERAMIC RODS... :eek:

Simon

[greencobra]

Hello Mr. Mouth. Welcome.

My take on the sharpener issue. Sharpmaker! Only system I have ever used, and up until last month, never sharpened a knife in my life. A little guidence from our friends on the forum here and now I can sharpen with the best of em. Of course if the blade needed reprofiling, I'm sunk.

[HoB]

Another vote for the Sharpmaker and NGK (newgraham.com). Last weekend I put in another "sharpening" day and holding a $55 japanese waterstone which weighs about 2-3 pounds, I was thinking: I'd rather drop a sharpmaker rod....they actually stand a chance of survival and they are a helluvalot cheaper.

[CKE]

Welcome to the Forum:)
I use both, the Lansky for big jobs and reprofiling and the 204 for everything else. Take Care!!!!!

[Jimd]

Welcome, Yuck Mouth!
So, you like Natives....you're in good company!

[Dodge]

Welcome make your self @ home.

[4 s ter]

Mr. Yuck Mouth

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum!!

(not sure I really want to know the story behind the nickname :( )

David

[Mr. Yuck Mouth]

Welcome, Yuck Mouth!
So, you like Natives....you're in good company!


I do like Natives. I think they are the most well "balanced" knives on the market in a number of senses:

Not too big and not too small
Not too heavy and not too light
Excellent price for what is (arguably)the best blade steel
Blade geometry suitable for almost any cutting task
Suitable for self defense applications without being "too tactical" looking


All that being said, if the Native is a jack-of-all-trades, my new Calypso Jr. is an impressive specialist. You hardly know it's there but it cuts like no knife I've ever handled. People look for a lot of things in a knife ie. toughness, stain resistance, edge retention etc. but at the end of the day what makes a knife useful is sharpness. Calypso has this in spades. If I can bring myself to risk it, it might be my new EDC.

[sal]

Hi Mr. Yuck Mouth,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Hope you enjoy your visits.

sal

[Mr. Yuck Mouth]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Sal, and thanks for the nice knives. I just watched you on my TV a few hours ago, on the video tape that came with my new Sharpmaker. It's a very impressive system.

I was wondering if you(or any other experts here, for that matter) had any sharpening advice for an incorrigable tip rounder. :eek: