I like sharp knives and need something for kitchen and a few folders. I've got a pull-through that works well but was thinking about something more. I've been looking at the lanksy and sharpmaker mostly but open to suggestions.
How much do you want to spend?
Also, what's the goal - sharpen one or two knives once a month?
With more knives to sharpen and more frequent sharpening requirements, you can get into a situation where you really need to spend more on a fast/easy repeatable sharpening system. If the need isn't that much/frequent, then you can do as Dennis suggests and get a stone and learn to do a bit of sharpening free-hand - which requires more patience/practice than it does cash but it is honestly a good skill to master.
The Spyderco Sharp Maker and Lansky systems are both good systems, but you can sort of tailer each to your needs (i.e. don't bother paying for diamond stones unless you're doing a lot of re-profiling and/or own knives with super-hard steels, etc.).
If you've got a ton of knives to sharpen on a regular basis, then the answer I always have is the Wicked Edge. The Edge Apex Pro kit to me just isn't worth it when there are kits out there that accomplish what the Wicked Edge does.
I had a lot of dull knives in the kitchen and elsewhere, but not a lot of time to sit around sharpening. After a lot of checking around for a good solution I picked up a Chef's Choice Model 130, which has proven simple and effective.
Chef's Choice Model 130 on Wayfair.com
I like sharp knives and need something for kitchen and a few folders. I've got a pull-through that works well but was thinking about something more. I've been looking at the lanksy and sharpmaker mostly but open to suggestions.
I'm old school. I use a stone, although its diamond impregnated. Little oil on it, and go to town. Its all about maintaining the correct angle repetitively. For some reason I can free hand a blade and make it work. I've watched some co-workers and they have issued doing this.
One of the systems that maintain the correct angle is the way to go.
The ceramic sticks work great, but a lot of folks don't know they need to be cleaned pretty often to keep them from loading up. Then they think they don't work.
How much do you want to spend?
Also, what's the goal - sharpen one or two knives once a month?
With more knives to sharpen and more frequent sharpening requirements, you can get into a situation where you really need to spend more on a fast/easy repeatable sharpening system. If the need isn't that much/frequent, then you can do as Dennis suggests and get a stone and learn to do a bit of sharpening free-hand - which requires more patience/practice than it does cash but it is honestly a good skill to master.
The Spyderco Sharp Maker and Lansky systems are both good systems, but you can sort of tailer each to your needs (i.e. don't bother paying for diamond stones unless you're doing a lot of re-profiling and/or own knives with super-hard steels, etc.).
If you've got a ton of knives to sharpen on a regular basis, then the answer I always have is the Wicked Edge. The Edge Apex Pro kit to me just isn't worth it when there are kits out there that accomplish what the Wicked Edge does.
i'm still checking out the other links, but to answer a few questions. I've got several folders i'll sharpen every few weeks (Which right now is just a few passes through the pull-through). I'll do the kitchen knives every month or two and then occasionally my in-laws' knives (which usually need a lot of work).
. . .
I probably fall more into the camp of someone who'd prefer to keep knives sharp than re-shape them.
I had a lot of dull knives in the kitchen and elsewhere, but not a lot of time to sit around sharpening. After a lot of checking around for a good solution I picked up a Chef's Choice Model 130, which has proven simple and effective.
Chef's Choice Model 130 on Wayfair.com
I have this tool and it is really quick, easy and can put a phenomenal edge on your knife.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003IT5F14/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1396095631&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40
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