Best sharpening system for ~$50

19-3ben

19-3ben

Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
4,666
I'm looking to get a sharpening system. I'd like to be able to sharpen everything from my Opinel to my axes, if at all possible. If not, I'll settle with one that can just handle knives, and use my Lansky puck more on the axes.

My budget is going to top out in the $50 range. If it's a hair over $50 i can make it work.

My experience is somewhat limited. I used a straight razor to shave and I have been sharpening for years on my 6000/8000 grit waterstone and my Jemico leather strop, so I have some limited experience, but don't know that I have the transferrable skills to sharpen everything from kitchen knives to field knives and pocket knives free-hand on a stone.

What say you all? If I am missing any info here, feel free to ask and I'll let you know.
 
It sounds like you are set up to keep a knife touched up. I can't help you with the axes but a Sharpmaker sounds like it would fit your needs. I just use a Spyderco Double Stuff stone and a strop for my knives. I don't let them get really dull so it's easy to keep them razor sharp.
 
Good question man, I have been looking for the same thing, a system around 50 bucks and while I was parusing around on KC'S site a few weeks ago I ran across a system that finally peaked my interest! Check out the new Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System! It's $49 bucks, it is a 6 inch Diamond hone system....it has different guide angles which you can choose to use or not use, a really cool feature it has is the stone pivots along the curve/belly of the blade as you sharpen! You can disengage the pivot feature as well if you want. It comes with a ceramic rod as well I believe along with 300 and 600 grit diamond hones. You can buy other more fine grit hones and a leather strop in a separate package for around 29 bucks. Definitely check it out! Btdubs does anyone here have this work sharp system I'm speaking of yet? I'm definitely grabbing one soon!
 
A 400/600 Grit Bench stone and a Strop......

You can squeeze that into $50.
If it's close, spend all the money on the best stone for that amount, and just make a strop.
 
For touch ups, it hard to beat the shapmaker. For even cheaper, I have and also use the lanky box sharpener that I picked up for $12. Same idea, but round rods and 20 and 25 degree angle options.
As for sharpening knives vs razors, it is VERY different. I use a straight razor for daily shaving, and use water stones to hone. I have found that knives are easier to sharpen with diamonds and touched up with the ceramic systems mentioned above. However, your results may vary.
 
Another vote for Sharpmaker, for its fast consistent result with minimum skill. And it is pretty versatile where you could just lay the stones at the back of the system to simulate a waterstone.
 
Sharp marker is ok for touch up, but the problem is set angles on sharpening systems. It's like a one size fits all item that fits some perfect but a little awkward on others. With that being said in you price range the Lansky sharpening system is about as close as I have seen to work on most blades. But personally I don't think you can beat a stone rather it be water or oil. With stones and a little practice you can sharpen any angle and just able any edge tool.
 
I recommend picking up some stones as well for when you don't feel like pulling out a system. It's a lot easier to pack a single stone around as well. Everyone that owns knives should be able to maintain them on a stone IMO.
 
I'm a big fan of learning to freehand sharpen correctly. I'd rather know how to do it well, than have to rely on a system for me. Its really not that hard, just takes some practice.

With that as my mindset, I'd get a few stones to round out your collection of stones that you already have, or even just some wet-dry sandpaper and call it good.
 
19-3ben said:
I'm looking to get a sharpening system. I'd like to be able to sharpen everything from my Opinel to my axes, if at all possible. If not, I'll settle with one that can just handle knives, and use my Lansky puck more on the axes.

My budget is going to top out in the $50 range. If it's a hair over $50 i can make it work.

My experience is somewhat limited. I used a straight razor to shave and I have been sharpening for years on my 6000/8000 grit waterstone and my Jemico leather strop, so I have some limited experience, but don't know that I have the transferrable skills to sharpen everything from kitchen knives to field knives and pocket knives free-hand on a stone.

What say you all? If I am missing any info here, feel free to ask and I'll let you know.
Click to expand...

I sell a block that can do everything you describe, $47 plus shipping. The website is linked through my signature giving a full description, user's manual, and have videos showing how to do knives, hatchets, machetes....
 
Since you can already use a stone, have you considered a cheap set of Japanese water stones?
 
JJaggar said:
Good question man, I have been looking for the same thing, a system around 50 bucks and while I was parusing around on KC'S site a few weeks ago I ran across a system that finally peaked my interest! Check out the new Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System! It's $49 bucks, it is a 6 inch Diamond hone system....it has different guide angles which you can choose to use or not use, a really cool feature it has is the stone pivots along the curve/belly of the blade as you sharpen! You can disengage the pivot feature as well if you want. It comes with a ceramic rod as well I believe along with 300 and 600 grit diamond hones. You can buy other more fine grit hones and a leather strop in a separate package for around 29 bucks. Definitely check it out! Btdubs does anyone here have this work sharp system I'm speaking of yet? I'm definitely grabbing one soon!
Click to expand...
Had it a week used it several times trying to like it and ended up returning it...Just wasn't for me.
 
I have more sharpening jigs, stones, machines and associated accouterments than I care to admit, much less tally up what I've spent...after 30+ years I've just started playing with convex edges and stropping...SOLD! I'm absolutely amazed how quickly I can establish and maintain an edge with a small rubber block and a few sheets of sandpaper. I started with a FBF machete, ridiculously sharp, just re-profiled a tomahawk, be done with a few more grits, I'll eventually convex all my knives...got to try compounds and leather strops next, but this is the easiest, most portable, and inexpensive solution yet...anyone want to buy a lapsharp?
 
dufus53 said:
I have more sharpening jigs, stones, machines and associated accouterments than I care to admit, much less tally up what I've spent...after 30+ years I've just started playing with convex edges and stropping...SOLD! I'm absolutely amazed how quickly I can establish and maintain an edge with a small rubber block and a few sheets of sandpaper. I started with a FBF machete, ridiculously sharp, just re-profiled a tomahawk, be done with a few more grits, I'll eventually convex all my knives...got to try compounds and leather strops next, but this is the easiest, most portable, and inexpensive solution yet...anyone want to buy a lapsharp?
Click to expand...
I often prefer just using sandpaper as well, most of my knives have a convex edge now. The ones that don't I use sandpaper over a piece of glass to sharpen. A convex edge is so easy to maintain, if it begins to dull just hit the loaded strop and back to razor sharp...

For initial beveling thou I use the work sharp blade grinder, it's total cost is more than $50, but well worth saving up for...I can sharpen axes, machetes, lawn mower blades, knives, and whatever else that can take an edge in minutes.
 
I say sandpaper, initial profile w/220, 400, 600 wet/dry, then work through some 15, 5, 3 micron with carful stropping. Thinned edge and set rough profile with my EP. Any suggestions on compounds?
 
dufus53 said:
I say sandpaper, initial profile w/220, 400, 600 wet/dry, then work through some 15, 5, 3 micron with carful stropping. Thinned edge and set rough profile with my EP. Any suggestions on compounds?
Click to expand...
I use black emery, and green I got at tru value...I want to try the white and Tripoli eventually
 
The Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System I'm talking about is basically a 6 inch diamond freehand set, it comes with angle blocks which I believe you can use or not use. It seems like a really sweet system.

What I've been using is solely a 6 inch 1k grit Smith's ceramic stone freehand. It def gets my blades extremely sharp. I am ready to start putting new profiles on my blades so I reckon I'll give the new Work Sharp set a go and let y'all know when I know...but really, what do I know haaaaa
 
JJaggar said:
The Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System I'm talking about is basically a 6 inch diamond freehand set, it comes with angle blocks which I believe you can use or not use. It seems like a really sweet system.

What I've been using is solely a 6 inch 1k grit Smith's ceramic stone freehand. It def gets my blades extremely sharp. I am ready to start putting new profiles on my blades so I reckon I'll give the new Work Sharp set a go and let y'all know when I know...but really, what do I know haaaaa
Click to expand...
Yea I know which one you were referring too...I love the Ken onion wskt with the blade grinder so bought the diamond set up for my non convex knives...I just didn't like it, I got better results using sandpaper.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310654
 
Last edited:
HeavyHanded said:
I sell a block that can do everything you describe, $47 plus shipping. The website is linked through my signature giving a full description, user's manual, and have videos showing how to do knives, hatchets, machetes....
Click to expand...

The tactile feedback from the block will be very helpful for keeping a constant angle. Did I mention great videos & tutorials? Highly recommended! :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top