Lansky Deluxe 5 Stone....How I fixed my new style CLAMP to sharpen small knives....

bigchelis

bigchelis

Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
273
Hi all,
This is my first sharpener purchase ever:eek: (do have a $20 electric one, but that don't count ;))

Put the kit together and sharpened some 5~8inch inexpensive kitchen knives with all 5 stones and the leather at the end too. These huge kitchen knives came out crazy sharp.....like cuts white paper at an angle super easy and squishy tomatoes are no match :D

The Bracket has multiple issues because its the NEW design and the issues are more relevant with the small Swiss Army knives I have.
  • The rubber is squishy per say and doesn't let the knife tighten down.
  • The outer head of clamp is fat and hits the stone before my small knives blade does
  • The rubbers are too fat and add to the stone hitting clamp issue

Fix for me:
  • Grinded the tip of the clamp a lot
  • removed the rubber that protects the knife finish (will use tape later on)
  • With rubber on clamp tip removed the clamp KNOB can actually squeeze the knife tight





Stone hitting the KNOB at the 17 degree point




Here it hits the bracket (It used to hit bracket a lot more but I grinded the tip of bracket)




NOW it actually sharpened small knives and razor sharp to boot.. I was so happy that I can actually get the knifes to stay put in the bracket and have the stones not hit the knob or bracket...



 
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I sharpened the Victorinox swiss knife in the pictures 4 times....yes, that's over an hour via 2 days of effort.
I did try other kitchen knives with success in between these Victorinox small knife thinking I was doing something wrong, but again the issues were still there.

I couldn't get the knife to sharpen, the clamp to squeeze the knife, or the stones to not hit the clamp. I was so discourage I was looking at Wicked Edge $400 variant already.

Discouraged and ready to hit the buy now button I decided to try and mod it to be similar to the old style Lansky Clamp and wallah!!!

Thanks to those who put together and contributed to this thread on Lansky style clamps I was able to mod mine successfully.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...hnique-for-EDC-newbie?p=14898206#post14898206


Thank you all
bigC
 
I have the old style clamp and the offset was at the very tip (knob was metal, too). I've never had a problem with small blades. Why did Lansky make a mod that creates a problem?
 
Have not tried the latest style clamp but can tell you the one before it is a piece of garbage. I like the early style the best. Anyone know how many different types Lansky has made?
 
I am not sure how many style clamps they make but I was so upset at the time I had to call the Lansky support number to complain.

The very nice rep acknowledge they have inferior clamp and said the new one to address this commonly known issue is to be released by this spring.

They also informed they are releasing the small knife clamp in addition to making the clamp I have obsolete. Of course they advise I check back to purchase the new clamp vs. offering to replace this horrible one :)


best,
bigC
 
sabre cat said:
Have not tried the latest style clamp but can tell you the one before it is a piece of garbage. I like the early style the best. Anyone know how many different types Lansky has made?
Click to expand...

I know of at least 6 types.
1. Machined with angle/rod guides screwed on and notch for small knives. Copied from the original Loray sharpener, I think Mr. Lansky used to work there.
2. Machined with notch for small knives
3. Machined without notch for small knives
4 Cast with notch for small knives
5 Cast without notch for small knives
6 Latest new type.
 
bigchelis said:
I am not sure how many style clamps they make but I was so upset at the time I had to call the Lansky support number to complain.

The very nice rep acknowledge they have inferior clamp and said the new one to address this commonly known issue is to be released by this spring.

They also informed they are releasing the small knife clamp in addition to making the clamp I have obsolete. Of course they advise I check back to purchase the new clamp vs. offering to replace this horrible one :)
Click to expand...

That is good news, let's hope they bring back the original style clamp.

I once read on the Lansky website that they changed the clamp because the notch was intended for use with small knives only and that larger knives should be positioned further in the clamp. Apparently some people also used the notch for larger knives (no problem if done correct) and some fell out perhaps injuring some people.

So although the clamp with notch worked very well for more than 25 years and the larger knives falling out was clearly user error, they decided to change it anyway ironically with far more complaints of knives falling out as a result, just read the many complaints in the reviews on the Lansky website

BTW.... for those who want the old style clamp, there are multiple listings of used sets on the large action site right now
 
Been working with this to improve it further and while not original here is my future updates to the clamp and rods.


Rods: get 10-24 3/8inch set screws.





Now the clamp gets the same 10-24 L hex wrench screws but 1/2in long ( I do have 3/4in too)
 
It's unfortunate that Lansky decided to change the design of their bracket. I had an older model that worked like a champ on both small and large bladed knives. I bought a new one a few weeks ago and it's been a complete headache trying to sharpen smaller knives. At the 17 degree angle, the stone hits both the clamp and the plastic retaining screw. And to add to insult, the top of the plastic box they provide will not lock to stay closed. I'm not going to start grinding on a poorly designed bracket to make the sharpener work like it's suppose to. I just marked it up as a $40 loss and I will never recommend or buy another Lansky product again.
 
frankster said:
It's unfortunate that Lansky decided to change the design of their bracket. I had an older model that worked like a champ on both small and large bladed knives. I bought a new one a few weeks ago and it's been a complete headache trying to sharpen smaller knives. At the 17 degree angle, the stone hits both the clamp and the plastic retaining screw. And to add to insult, the top of the plastic box they provide will not lock to stay closed. I'm not going to start grinding on a poorly designed bracket to make the sharpener work like it's suppose to. I just marked it up as a $40 loss and I will never recommend or buy another Lansky product again.
Click to expand...

I hear you but I got the extra Saphire and leather plus I have some custom SAK knives so I had to make it work. I was able to do a SAK pioneer yesterday at 17 degree finally and it's awesome now.


To reiterate a little bit, the Lansky folks told me over the phone they are aware of these issues and will release by Spring the small knife bracket which I of course will purchase since I have a 7 stones and the base already.

Wicked Edge $450 dollar kit would be my ultimate purchase but not anytime soon.

bigC
 
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Another thing I noticed by swapping to hex screw 10-24 was that I can actually squeeze the knife pretty darn hard in place which would be beneficial if you wanted to do a regrind and needed to apply more pressure. With the factory clamp screw or knob system any pressure and the blade would dance around both big and small blades.


bigC
 
I had 2 practice knives sharpened by Work Sharp belt driven sharpener. I think it was the Mid Range model.
The 2 SAK's came out sharp but not sharp like those youtube videos that slice through paper in mid air. So, I am very happy I went the manual route with this Lansky system. In fact, I was able to sharpened those 2 practice knives and my 6in chef knife to0: actually cut paper in mid air. Shaves hair like razors now. I honestly; never had any knives do this other than 2 other knives I had razoredgeknives sharpen for me. So, I am super happy I can do this or close to what Josh can do. (not as good as Josh and likely will never get there )


I also am waiting for the Diamond 4 sharpener system. After doing about 50 knives for family and friends It is just too much elbow work to get the initial edge on what most people use which is stainless steel and 30~40 degrees factory edges.

I have a titanium blade and a D2 steel knife to practice once I get the Diamonds Lansky system in.


bigC
 
This Lansky new style bracket bends where the screw set is located. I bent mine back flat and finally one of them snapped in half. Had to place an order for new clamp
 
I really like my deluxe 5 stone set, I'm definitely going to invest in some diamond stones when I can, alot less elbow grease hopefully
 
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