Which Knife sharpener to buy?

The Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker is currently selling on Amazon for $53 and change; a little more than your budget, but with a little care it will last your lifetime. It's been around for a couple of decades now and is a proven design.

Gotta second the sharpmaker. You can branch out from there if you want greater efficiency (Worksharp Knife & Tool Sharpener), portability (Dia-Sharp credit card sized stones for your pocket), or versatility (some systems offer more angles, and the rather expensive but worthwhile diamond rods that are available for the Sharpmaker would let you sharpen dull knives better) but as a stand alone it has the best mix of all three for a great price and even comes with a dvd.

We've actually got a pretty good discussion on exactly the kinds of sharpeners you're probably going to decide on, newbie sharpening questions a few posts down!

I'm going to be looking for one of the Lansky or Gatco sharpening sets that controls the angle and gives you multiple useful options.

You can also look into the "Wicked Edge" set-up. Sort of like the industrial version of a Lansky set. It's a little more expensive though.

chrisnoel27 said:

I need to improve the edges on all my knives but one. So stones are for maintaning your edge and rods, sticks are for improving? Or, can stones improve as well? If so, what kind of stones should I buy?

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Other way around, actually. You use the flat stones to restore or create a bevel, and use the rods to refine the edge. Professionals will mostly use flat stones (or a belt sander) to do this - - a medium grit to establish the bevel, a finer grit to finish the edge. Some will even hone it on a leather strop, like a barber. For your purposes a Triangle Sharpmaker is a good choice, because it includes both medium and fine sticks.

I just ordered an Edge Pro Apex4, I love it. Great for carry and Kitchen and work knives. Quality product and they are USA made. Absolutely worth the money.

I agree with Bula 4, the Edge pro Apex is an awesome setup if you can afford it.

When I was new to sharpening knives I found the Lansky system to be excellent. Kinda like training wheels. I think that I will be going to the Spyderco Triangle soon.

Did you folks advocating the Edge Pro Apex 4 not see that the OP has a budget of $50?

I am getting really good results with this Smiths kit.

http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-DFPK-D...520468&sr=8-9&keywords=smiths+knife+sharpener

I have that Smith kit as well. I feel it is a good beginners setup. I don't think it puts the best edge on a knife, but it aint dull either.

IDK, gets my knives shaving sharp.

I grew up using Smith products and have been getting good hair popping edges.

I'm one of those who believe that a knife is nothing more than a tool to be used as necessary, not a work of art that some of our members produce.

As for sharpening all I want to do is maintain the factory edge. I use the "V" shaped crock stick to sharpen, a steel to maintain the edge, and on a rare Occasion a smooth piece of leather to hone a blade.

I've also found that it is MUCH easier to keep a knife sharp, I.e. I try to remember to give any knife I've used a quick pass or to with my steel before I put it away, than to have to sharpen a knife.

I started with a a little pocket stone which was more frustrating than anything. From there I went to a Lansky system with the rods, which after a little practice with, I wasn't completely satisfied. I found myself using the stones without the rods anymore, as I gained confidence.

Now I have a hard and a soft Lansky Bench Stone I just got for Christmas that I am looking forward to using, but haven't needed yet.

If you doubt your ability, like I did, I recommend the systems with the rods to help maintain angles. After practice, I think you will find, as I did, that better results can be had without the rods, and they get left behind. Like training wheels.

If you get a sharpener with the diamond grit don't put the gorrilla pressure on the blade or you can ruin the card. I think I ruined a diamond grit card (or what ever it is called) because I put too much pressure on the blade; something happened because it sure doesn't cut now.

308, try some comet scrub (powder or paste) in the sink with a toothbrush and running water. It may be clogged.

The key to SHARP Chris, is angle. Puttin on and maintiaing the correct angle on the blade.
A good practiced and expereinced person can maintin an angle with just a stone.I'm not one of 'em.
I have been using the Lansky system for more than 35 years now.
http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Deluxe...689967&sr=8-1&keywords=lansky+knife+sharpener

This base tho, makes all the difference.
http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LM009-...689967&sr=8-9&keywords=lansky+knife+sharpener

The Lansky system along with good honing oil will last you for many many years and it's well within your budget. With some practice, i even learned to use this system to maintain my set of Chicago cutlery kitchen knives.

I'm not familiar with the other systems that have been meantioned above so i can't give any info on 'em.