Thread: Lansky System

Thanks for the last reply, the post starting with "I bought a 3000/8000 combo and one rougher stone for bevel setting.
I followed the videos (lynn etc)... seems I can not get it sharp when honing with the spine (one layer of tape) flat on the stone."

... was related to a very crappy, not shave ready razor... that didn't have (most likely) a proper bevel set, and was just plain worthless 'razor'. Nomatter what I tried, it didn't get sharp. I read that really crappy razors will not get sharp nomatter what.

The last post in this tread was related to newer razor, that came shave ready. But, I always get an itchy feeling and have to mess with things, to experiment... so after a while I tried to get it sharper (perhaps I imagined it was not sharp enough) and this latest method I tried worked. (for me)

I have used the Lansky system, and made a shave ready razor from it. two things I did that I think made the difference was 1) built a holder from a 3/8 bolt and block of wood. 2) when you set the razor you have to block the blade so that the razor is level to the stone(the stone rides against the spine and the edge.) It worked for me, and was the easiest way for the blade I was sharpening. I think it can be done, you just have to tinker with it a little.

Originally Posted by Kalecommando

Thanks for the last reply, the post starting with "I bought a 3000/8000 combo and one rougher stone for bevel setting.
I followed the videos (lynn etc)... seems I can not get it sharp when honing with the spine (one layer of tape) flat on the stone."

... was related to a very crappy, not shave ready razor... that didn't have (most likely) a proper bevel set, and was just plain worthless 'razor'. Nomatter what I tried, it didn't get sharp. I read that really crappy razors will not get sharp nomatter what.

The last post in this tread was related to newer razor, that came shave ready. But, I always get an itchy feeling and have to mess with things, to experiment... so after a while I tried to get it sharper (perhaps I imagined it was not sharp enough) and this latest method I tried worked. (for me)

Just a question..but in your admittal to being a newb, have you ever had a razor that was honed by someone who knows what shave ready truly is? If not, then I'd truly question your reasons for trying to improve something that you originally think is shave ready just because you have an "itchy feeling"

Just got the feeling that it could be made sharper. Just trying things out. For fun.

Originally Posted by Kalecommando

Just got the feeling that it could be made sharper. Just trying things out. For fun.

Fair enough...always good to have a proven reference point though

Waste of time. Get a Norton 1000 and a combo 4k/8k and you are set.
For knives I use a 1 x 30 belt sander with 600, 800, and 1000 grit belts followed by a leather belt strop on the belt sander.
Sharpest knives I have ever used.

How can a system that is supposed to make sure every hone stroke is the same as the last, by using a jig, be more exact than a spine that is engineered to deliver the exact angle the maker wanted when the razor was manufactured? I have the Lansky system and it is barely able to put a proper edge on a knife.


Later,
Richard

I'm finding it interesting that so many people with so many stones still use a Lansky or other 'system' to sharpen their knives. Freehand sharpening with the stones you already have seems more logical to me. My opinion may be biased as I was sharpening knives way before getting into SR shaving. It just made the transition easier as I already had the lower grit stones Just an observation, no disrespect intended

Chris

For my personal knives, I still freehand (mostly) to about 1K (remember, that's where we start with razors). I use the "system" for knives that I have made for customers so that they have a uniform bevel & no chance of a slip that requires me to sand and buff. It just looks more professional that way.

After reading all of this, I dug out my old Lansky and compared the sharpening of a cheap swiss army knife. The results from freehand were sharper and IMO uniform but damn was it easy on the lansky!! I may have to keep it out for small pocket knives

Chris