Sharpener Poll: Pick your favorite and best!

Rock and Glock · February 21st, 2008, 04:14 PM

I've been solicited for gift ideas and have decided I want a good knife sharpening system.

I used stones as a Boy Scout, but never really developed the skill level to produce the edge I wanted. I have AccuSharps for the everyday "whip on a quick edge"........

Now I want to take a step up, but not invest a lot of time learning a new system or trying to develop a new skill set......

I expect the Spyderco Sharpmaker to be high on the list, having reviewed a lot of recommendations here, as well as Lansky. Two that also intrigue me though, are the Warthog, because it keeps the blade aligned properly to the stones and steels, and the Chef's Choice 120. Only one of these requires 120V, so all in all, what do ya'll think, ignoring price differential, and which do you have?

It needs to be "Idiot (me) Proof"

Pitmaster · February 21st, 2008, 04:47 PM

The Chef's Choice is the most idiot proof of the choices. I like and prefer a sharp knife but I'm not anal about and use the Accusharp for most of my sharpening needs.

Supertac45 · February 21st, 2008, 05:16 PM

None of the above. I spent the bucks and got a John Burke sharpening system and never looked back. It will sharpen anything beyond your wildest dream.

David in FL · February 21st, 2008, 05:57 PM

The Burke system is outstanding, as is the Tormek. Both, however are quite expensive. If you're a woodworker, turner, carver, or knifemaker, either would be well worth your money. If not, the Sharpmaker is pretty straight forward to use and you won't need a second mortgage......

KenpoTex · February 21st, 2008, 07:28 PM

While I've got a Sharpmaker and a Lansky (and both of them work well), I do most of my work with a variety of stones (both water and oil) and finish with ceramic rods.

ridurall · February 21st, 2008, 07:55 PM

I'm on my second Chef's Choice in 30 years. I does a great job of putting a razor edge on all my knives that lasts longer then all my different stones/diamond hones that I also have. It's much faster and easier to use then anything else I've tried. Over the years I've probably spent several hundred on different sharpener rigs and the Chef's Choice has them all beat.

aus71383 · February 21st, 2008, 08:11 PM

I'm going to get some stones in a few months here (when I get around to it) and they'll be Norton waterstones. I'm going to get the 3" wide combo stones, the 220/1000 and the 4000/8000 (for honing razors). I have the Lansky and its ok....but I wish I had done it right from the get-go and saved my ~$40
Just my two cents.

Austin

AzQkr · February 23rd, 2008, 11:21 AM

The Chef's Choice only puts a primary grind on the blade. They are great for regrinding the primary edge quickly, which them needs to be followed up with getting a secondary edge on the blade. It leaves a rough primary grind on the blades which will cut, but not anyhwere near as well as a properly sharpened blade.

I've used the Spydie set for almost 20 years, sharpening others blades for them at the gun club on Sundays until three years ago. The Chefs choice [ or any of the same type of sharpeners ] if it's needed to get a primary on them, then the Spyderco ceramics.

IMO, the Lansky is a very good set, but it takes too long to set it up to sharpen, and I can get 3-4 knives done in that time with the Spyderco set.

Brownie

strider72 · February 23rd, 2008, 09:51 PM

Sorry, had nothing but good luck with my DMT gear.

coffeecup · March 7th, 2008, 09:13 AM

I use a whetstone my grandfather had. Then a razor stone my father had and finish it off with his old razor strop---the one he taught me manners with many years ago.

View Poll Results: Which would be best given my circumstances, and why?
Spyderco Sharpmaker	29	43.94%
Lansky	23	34.85%
Warthog Sharp	8	12.12%
Chef's Choice	6	9.09%
Voters: 66. You may not vote on this poll

February 21st, 2008, 04:14 PM	#1
Rock and Glock VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,445	Sharpener Poll: Pick your favorite and best! I've been solicited for gift ideas and have decided I want a good knife sharpening system. I used stones as a Boy Scout, but never really developed the skill level to produce the edge I wanted. I have AccuSharps for the everyday "whip on a quick edge"........ Now I want to take a step up, but not invest a lot of time learning a new system or trying to develop a new skill set...... I expect the Spyderco Sharpmaker to be high on the list, having reviewed a lot of recommendations here, as well as Lansky. Two that also intrigue me though, are the Warthog, because it keeps the blade aligned properly to the stones and steels, and the Chef's Choice 120. Only one of these requires 120V, so all in all, what do ya'll think, ignoring price differential, and which do you have? It needs to be "Idiot (me) Proof" __________________ Richard NRA Life Member "In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer" Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

February 21st, 2008, 04:47 PM	#2
Pitmaster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wherever there's fried chicken or barbecue Posts: 616	The Chef's Choice is the most idiot proof of the choices. I like and prefer a sharp knife but I'm not anal about and use the Accusharp for most of my sharpening needs. __________________ Pitmaster "The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home." Antonin Scalia Last edited by Pitmaster : February 21st, 2008 at 09:37 PM.

February 21st, 2008, 05:16 PM	#3
Supertac45 VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan's U.P. Posts: 2,705	None of the above. I spent the bucks and got a John Burke sharpening system and never looked back. It will sharpen anything beyond your wildest dream. __________________ Les Baer 45 N.R.A. Patron Life Member M.C.R.G.O.

February 21st, 2008, 07:28 PM	#5
KenpoTex Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 1,384	While I've got a Sharpmaker and a Lansky (and both of them work well), I do most of my work with a variety of stones (both water and oil) and finish with ceramic rods. __________________ If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears. MOΛΩN ΛABÉ Matt K.

February 21st, 2008, 05:57 PM	#4
David in FL Distinguished Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,294	The Burke system is outstanding, as is the Tormek. Both, however are quite expensive. If you're a woodworker, turner, carver, or knifemaker, either would be well worth your money. If not, the Sharpmaker is pretty straight forward to use and you won't need a second mortgage......

February 21st, 2008, 07:55 PM	#6
ridurall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SW Oklahoma Posts: 658	I'm on my second Chef's Choice in 30 years. I does a great job of putting a razor edge on all my knives that lasts longer then all my different stones/diamond hones that I also have. It's much faster and easier to use then anything else I've tried. Over the years I've probably spent several hundred on different sharpener rigs and the Chef's Choice has them all beat. __________________ Life member NRA since 1983 I normally carry a Sig Pro .40 in a Crossbreed IWB but when necessary will switch to: Baby Eagle .40 W/Kramer holster Bersa Thunder380 Kel-Tec P3AT Skyy 9mm

February 21st, 2008, 08:11 PM	#7
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,615	I'm going to get some stones in a few months here (when I get around to it) and they'll be Norton waterstones. I'm going to get the 3" wide combo stones, the 220/1000 and the 4000/8000 (for honing razors). I have the Lansky and its ok....but I wish I had done it right from the get-go and saved my ~$40 Just my two cents. Austin

February 23rd, 2008, 11:21 AM	#8
AzQkr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In the Superstitions Posts: 1,075	The Chef's Choice only puts a primary grind on the blade. They are great for regrinding the primary edge quickly, which them needs to be followed up with getting a secondary edge on the blade. It leaves a rough primary grind on the blades which will cut, but not anyhwere near as well as a properly sharpened blade. I've used the Spydie set for almost 20 years, sharpening others blades for them at the gun club on Sundays until three years ago. The Chefs choice [ or any of the same type of sharpeners ] if it's needed to get a primary on them, then the Spyderco ceramics. IMO, the Lansky is a very good set, but it takes too long to set it up to sharpen, and I can get 3-4 knives done in that time with the Spyderco set. Brownie __________________ The mind is the limiting factor http://www.threatfocused.com/forums/index.php

February 23rd, 2008, 09:51 PM	#9
strider72 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NE Alabama Posts: 112	Sorry, had nothing but good luck with my DMT gear. __________________ Glock 19/FEG/FM HiPowers/Keltec P32 for me. When I can't use my 870,N98 or Marlin .30-30 of course...

March 7th, 2008, 09:13 AM	#10
coffeecup Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cadiz,Ky Posts: 393	I use a whetstone my grandfather had. Then a razor stone my father had and finish it off with his old razor strop---the one he taught me manners with many years ago.

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