BLOCK SHARPENER

I prefer a good oil stone to sharpen my knives. Those "V" shaped ceramic do-dads are OK for touching up a knife, but the edge they put one just does not hold up like a sharpening on a stone.

It's a universal angle sharpener, it can't match any bevel or grind angle except for what it's set for. Scissors are only sharpened on one side and flat ground on the other- this isn't for scissors. Also not for a fine edge, more for sharpenening something that's truly dull into a rough edge, not much else. For a cheap and variable angle proper sharpener look at the lansky system , about $40 and works well.
Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B8IEA4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_enzqEbH5XX71M

I had a similar one for a pocket on my hunting vest when we were skinning 2 or 3 'coons per outing. It kept the old Sharpfinger going.

Throw it out. I have tried all of the pull through sharpeners, Was never happy with any of them. I finally bought a KME. If you want sharp knives, that is the one to get. I also have had good luck with the Lansky system with the 4 diamond hone. Either one will get the knives shaving sharp.

I started on a Lansky and graduated to free hand.
Like others have said that thing has limited use.

O P don't be reluctant to come back with questions. We are here to help you in your sharpening journey.

I wouldn't want that thing around my knives. I have managed to survive with whetstones, and recently a leather strop, for over 60 years of carrying and sharpening knives. One day I want to get a Lansky or similar tool.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Lansky is great. Used to be all I would use, but they are time consuming if you have a lot of knives to maintain.. Those belt angle grinder tools - sharpmaker? are great too. I use a Chef's Choice machine now - one 20 degree diamond step and one fine strop/polish step. Makes razors and keeps them that way in very little time.

Those pull through things are horrid for knives. I do have a pull through that is scissor specific - came in a guard on a pair of scissors - and it works for its intended purpose.

1911junkee said:

I recently bought a Block sharpener after seeing all the videos, various ads, endorsements, etc., I used it exactly as directed and I am pretty sure my knives are duller after using it if anything. And it ruined my scissors.

My knives are of okay quality, Ontario, SOG, Leathermen, etc.. There was a time that my Marine Combat knife, an Ontario, was suitable for shaving.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is this device just another gimmick cooked up by some fast buck artist?

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Sorry for your loss man.

So then...... not Block perfection?

I tend to never trust single-angle, one-size-fits-all mandatory sharpening devices.

Todd.

bikerdoc said:

I started on a Lansky and graduated to free hand.
Like others have said that thing has limited use.

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I started free hand and leapt to the Lansky as soon as I could! I free hand in the field if I need to. The Lansky is an awesome tool.

This is the scissor pull through mentioned above. Actually works pretty good. The flat of the scissor rides against the vertical flat on the lower and upper slots with the angled grind of the scissor mating with the angled steel. Two or three good hard pulls on each blade is all it takes to bring a pair into good cutting shape. This little doodad came on a pair of inexpensive Farberware kitchen scissors.

There is not substitute for oil stones and practice to develop the proper technique. It takes time and patience. One needs to raise a burr then hone that burr away. I’ve managed to get it down fairly well for wood cutting tools still practicing with knives.

Should really look into a wet stone and a strop. Stropping the wire edge off makes an edge last so much longer. The lansky or whatever guided sharpening systems are good to learn with. Once you use one for a while, you will learn to keep a consistent angle for the bevel. Once you can do that, you won't need the lansky. Strop that blade right after sharpening.

1911junkee said:

Am I doing something wrong? Or is this device just another gimmick cooked up by some fast buck artist?

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I don't see how that would "sharpen" a knife at all.

This used to be great for sharpening, a medium India side and a coarse carborundum side, but you know, only the medium side is of any value to me. Knife allows have gotten so hard I have to use a diamond stone (coarse) to set the bevel Then I use the medium India to remove the burrs.



Something like the "Block Sharpener" is just a steel. Might be useful on an already sharpened blade, to reset the edge, but it is not abrasive enough to remove steel from a modern alloy steel. Once your knife gets really and truly dull, that thing won't help. I can also see ruining the edge if it touches the V intersection.

Anyone remember these?. The three inch military sharpening stone



One bud of mine, he had to send knives back from the sand box to be sharpened by the manufacturer because after market knives are too hard for these issue sharpening stones. He was not a fan of rockwell 60 edges. Nor of expensive knives, he bought "throw away knives".

Spyderco Sharpmaker gives good service at a low price. Also teaches the proper angle.

1911junkee said:

Or is this device just another gimmick cooked up by some fast buck artist?

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Pretty much.
I've tried a few like this and I was always disappointed.

readyeddy said:

Spyderco Sharpmaker gives good service at a low price. Also teaches the proper angle.

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I've got one in my boat bag, one in the car, and one for the house. I do think that the Lansky will get a better result, but it's time consuming and tricky compared to the Spyderco.