Thread: Knife sharpening: Lansky deluxe sharpening kit update

I've commented on the Lansky kit elsewhere.

Gave it to my son and bought a new, diamond stone version. Grits are rated in 4 steps from X coarse to fine. Click.

Some differences are clear.

The clamp is now cast alloy. The red capped tightening screw is now only threaded on one side and the end bears on the other (good move).

Following Derek's tip I glued some W&D to the clamp surfaces and that worked well on the larger knife. Didn't on the small rabbet in the clamp tip for smaller knives and the hold wasn't so hot there.

On one of the small paring knifes held in that notch I got a good result at 20 degrees. Next size up, there was fouling and I had to go to 25 degrees. 150mm French cooks knife, the clamp can go anywhere and I got a decent result at 35* but should've marked the clamp tip point for the next time around.

Not bad overall. For a woody getting the hang of it won't be hard; for a newbie, I don't think it's foolproof.

So these are just for the missus' kitchen knives and to be used in the kitchen.

In the shed there's some investment in ceramic waterstones, and for short-bevel knives I've had some success with the DMT knife clamp.

Honing Guide for Knives - Lee Valley Tools

It has depth limiting tabs on the clamp so with successive knife forms you know where you are. But on small knives getting the edge right up to the hilt involves a bit of work.

HTH