More questions about Lansky vs. Edgepro

A

AlonzoMosely

Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
250
I've read the extensive threads on this site, and, no doubt, the Edge Pro is best. But here is my (2 part) question.

First, does an Edge Pro actually get a knife SHARPER than a Lansky, or is the Edge Pro simply more versatile because it allows more angle adjustments and it is much faster? In other words, if I don't care about angle adjustments and length of time it takes, what is the advantage of the Edge Pro?

If the Edge Pro gets a blade sharper is this because of the polishing tape of the Edge Pro, and, if so, is there any reason why I couldn't attach a very fine grit paper to a lansky stone to get the same effect?
 
The EdgePro will get the knives sharper because it can hold the same angle across the entire blade where the Lansky system does not. Also the Edge Pro stones are wider and will be less likely to fold over your edge. The EdgePro is much faster and easier to use as well.
 
AlonzoMosely said:
I've read the extensive threads on this site, and, no doubt, the Edge Pro is best. But here is my (2 part) question.

First, does an Edge Pro actually get a knife SHARPER than a Lansky, or is the Edge Pro simply more versatile because it allows more angle adjustments and it is much faster? In other words, if I don't care about angle adjustments and length of time it takes, what is the advantage of the Edge Pro?

If the Edge Pro gets a blade sharper is this because of the polishing tape of the Edge Pro, and, if so, is there any reason why I couldn't attach a very fine grit paper to a lansky stone to get the same effect?
Click to expand...


I've used both the Lansky & EdgePro. My personal results is that I can get a knife consistently sharper on an EdgePro. That being said, a hair shaving edge can also be obtained on a Lansky. (They also make a sapphire stone for the Lansky that will put a pretty fine edge on the blade). I haven't tried it personally, but have read others who have been successful at attaching finer paper to a Lansky and getting good results.

I think, if you are trying to decide between the two to purchase, the better question to answer is what type of sharpening are you going to do? If all I wanted was something to occasionally touch up a pocket knife, small hunting knife, and maybe one or two knives in the kitchen like a utility or paring knife.... the Lansky or similar sharpener would probably do the trick. But if you are going to resharpen a set of kitchen knives, a wide variety of knives, or your knives are in really bad shape... the EdgePro is definitely the better investment.

You also mentioned that you didn't care about time... but you need to take this into consideration. I didn't worry too much about it either, until I tried to reprofile and sharpen a chef's knife for my sister (the typical got it for a wedding present 15 years ago, and had never been sharpened). After 2 hours on the Lansky, just trying to reprofile the edge and get the chips and nicks out... I gave up and just sharpened it at the 30 deg. angle. I didn't have an EdgePro at the time, but I have reprofiled some knives with it, and it goes quicker.

So, IMHO, I think it's better to assess your sharpening needs, rather than which system will get a knife sharper.

Hope this helps
 
Thanks for the comments. I really don't have any sharpening "needs". It's just a hobby and I won't be satisfied unless I have the sharpest edge possible, even if I will never do anything more than open envelopes. So if I will get a noticeably better edge with the Edge Pro, then I want to get that.
 
You say you have read lots of sharpening posts. Then you will have seen my posts praising the EdgePro. But before purchasing it, I used a homemade version of the Lansky sharpener. It was overbuilt and all the metal was hardened and the angle holes accurate.

When comparing the two systems , using the same grit and angles the results were similar ON A SHORT BLADE, where re clamping was not required.
However , as Wade states above, the angle is continually changing in any rod style sharpener and you must move the blade and re clamp on the Lansky style of system.

Now if you have to continually re clamp and move the blade, your repeatability goes to hell.

On of the huge advantages , seldom talked about, on the EdgePro is the speed in re sharpening. This speed is entirely due to the repeatability of the system. Not only can you dial in your exact angle for each blade but also the measured distance from the blade rest to the table lip.

Hope this has helped.
 
Yes, that is very helpful, thank you. I have just ordered the Edge Pro and will be getting it next week. I still don't quite understand from the pictures how it solves the changing angle and repeatability problems which I understand in the Lansky, but if it solves that, I can see a huge benefit in it.
 
With the EdgePro you move the blade across the rest, keeping the area of the blade you are sharpening in the same general location. You don't hold the knife still and move the EdgePro's arm from one end of the blade to the other. Basically the Edgepro's arm stays in the same position and you slide the knife back and forth under it. You'll understand it once you get it and watch the video.

Tips for the EdgePro are to use light pressure. If you put to much pressure on the knife (pressing down hard to try and grind faster) you can roll the edge. Also you need to keep an eye on your stones to make sure they stay flat, especially the extra course and course stones. I recommend going to www.leevalley.com and visitng their sharpening section and purchase their plate glass and lapping grit. It's a quick and easy way to flatten your stones if they get dished. Just take a metal straight edge and lay it across the stone and look to see if there are any areas where the stone isn't touching. I let my extra corse and corse stones get very dished before I knew about this and it resulted in very bad results. Basically you screw up the angle on the edge and then when you switch to a finer stone which is flat you're now polishing the back bevel and not the actual edge.

Lately I've found it easier to just reprofile my knives with the EdgePro and then put the final edge on with the Spyderco Sharpmaker. So basically I'll take the edge down to 15 degrees per side with the EdgePro and polish them up however much I want. Then I go to my Spyderco Sharpmaker and use the fine stones to put a 20 degree micro bevel on the edge and then finish with the ultra fine stones (sold seperately).

The nice thing about this is when my knives need to be touched up I just give them a few swipes on the Sharpmaker's ultra fine stones and they are super sharp.

The Edgepro is great, but to touch up a knife it would take longer and require wetting the stones, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top