Knife Sharpeners for the Unskilled

[csp20108]

$60 Harbor Freight 1" belt sander and a variety pack of belts from amazon will let you sharpen anything and, with lower grits, completely reshape the edge on older kitchen knives whose blades are worn deeper than the bolster.

 

[FearedFactor]

Finally a thread I can honestly comment on.

I've tried a few different knife sharpeners over the past few years and here's my thoughts on a few of them.

Lansky (similar to the Gatco or KME) - Works great but takes time to sharpen and switch between stones. biggest drawback is not being able to grip blades with odd shaped backbones like the Old Timer Sharpfinger skinner. The clamp can damage the finish on some knives as well.

Worksharp super easy to use and very fast. does not get as sharp as the lansky but i could sharpen our steak knives (6 count) quicker than I could get the sharpener out of the closet. There is a little learning curve but once you get it they are very easy to use.

Warthog, this is my current go to sharpener, I've butcher 3 deer so far this season, each with a warthog sharpened knife. It's very easy to use.
Cons are the stones are expensive and the stones that it comes with are worthless. Once you buy a set of med/fine stones and set it to your preferred blade angle it can get scary sharp. I do not loan my Kershaw Leek pocket knife to anybody nowadays.

Right now I prefer the Warthog, that may change in a few months. I'll always have the Worksharp because of how easy and quick it is. The lansky I could do without, it does have a serration sharpener in the kit, so I'll hang onto it. I just won't be using a whetstone anytime soon.

 

[hikenhunt]

Finally a thread I can honestly comment on.

I've tried a few different knife sharpeners over the past few years and here's my thoughts on a few of them.

Lansky (similar to the Gatco or KME) - Works great but takes time to sharpen and switch between stones. biggest drawback is not being able to grip blades with odd shaped backbones like the Old Timer Sharpfinger skinner. The clamp can damage the finish on some knives as well.

Worksharp super easy to use and very fast. does not get as sharp as the lansky but i could sharpen our steak knives (6 count) quicker than I could get the sharpener out of the closet. There is a little learning curve but once you get it they are very easy to use.

Warthog, this is my current go to sharpener, I've butcher 3 deer so far this season, each with a warthog sharpened knife. It's very easy to use.
Cons are the stones are expensive and the stones that it comes with are worthless. Once you buy a set of med/fine stones and set it to your preferred blade angle it can get scary sharp. I do not loan my Kershaw Leek pocket knife to anybody nowadays.

Right now I prefer the Warthog, that may change in a few months. I'll always have the Worksharp because of how easy and quick it is. The lansky I could do without, it does have a serration sharpener in the kit, so I'll hang onto it. I just won't be using a whetstone anytime soon.

Which Warthog model do you have?

 

[FearedFactor]

Which Warthog model do you have?

I've got the V-Sharp A4 with a base, it comes with the 325 grit/ steel hones, which aren't that great. I bought the Med 600/Fine 1000 grit combo hones and they work great.

I use the 25 degree for my everyday pocket knives and the 15 degree for the skinning/butchering knives. Like I said, right now, it's my favorite.