some sharpening advise

[Kreefstert]

Hi Gents

I currently use a Lansky kit with the 3 hones.

I want to try my hand at sharpening using a benchstone.

Not really sure what to buy.

Looked at a Lansky Arkansas Soft Benchstone.

Any comments and thoughts?

[STREETRACER]

Look free hand sharpening is an art, but i cant help you there.
Are you not happy with the edge of the Lansky?
What knifes and for what application?

Do you make use of stropping?

[Kreefstert]

Hi SR, oh no I love the Lansky and I will defenitly use it.

Just kind of keen to have a propper go at it because its a skill like you say.

Jip, I use a old leather belt that works great. Use it after I used the blue fine hone.

I use on my EDC knife a Kershaw. Got some hunting knives and kitchen knives I want to tackle.

[STREETRACER]

Sounds like you are doing it for the right reasons.

I would love to learn the art as well.

I have the std, diamond and arkansas hones and whished for a sharperedge with each hone i buy.. lol

But i find the best cutting power and edge retention for my edc knifes are green hone OR orange diamond stropped on jean material.

I strop 30 times one side 30 times other, then 20 and then 10 up and down strokes.

The blue hone and leather makes a polished edge hich shaves like a mofo but does not have the micro "toothed" edge which cuts through conveyor if you need it to.

End of the day million ways to sharpen with the lansky.. and hard not to end up with a fantastic edge

[Kreefstert]

I ground my knife down from 30 degrees by hand using the Red hone, then green then blue to finish. Its now on 20 degrees iirc. Its a fighting knife and don't use it for everyday cutting. It just needs to cut the like a razor when needed.

The Lansky is just a pain for large knives.

And those tungsten joppies just hurts the kitchen knives. So might as well do it propper.

Like you say those Lanskys are great. Completely idiotproof.

[STREETRACER]

I sharpened my father in law's hunting knife, massive rambo style blade.
I forgot my universal mount so held the clamp in my hand.. i hand blisters when i finished with it.. lol

Sharp edge sells an amazing electric sharpener for R4k.. bit expensive but wow what an edge.

Friend of mine makes knifes and uses a sand paper belt and buff.. you will not believe the edges he can create with that.

[Moomin]

Completely idiotproof.

I be the idiot to defy the proofing then.
I got an old Lansky set (almost as old as me). My father gave it to me when I turned 18. Has 5 standard hones (black, red, green, blue and yellow) of which two are close to replacement. My first knife I sharpened I inserted the rods "upside down" (No manual and I'm Mr. know it all). It kind of stuffed up the process slightly and the edge angle. Lesson learnt I suppose. The last week or so I have been grinding a large knife (a friend's knife) down from 40 odd degrees down to 25. The edge was not straight either. Winning slowly. I love this set - Almost calming sitting in my "cave" and just sharpening at night.

[Kreefstert]

Interesting you say that, they did a tour of Benchmade on Discovery Channel's How Its Made and they also sharpen using the paperbelt. Knife was done in seconds.

[STREETRACER]

Toema, i had the manual and had the rods in the wrong way.. if all fails read the manual lol

[Kreefstert]

Whawhawhawha, ok seeing as you said it first I also made that mistake!