KME, Gatco, Lansky, Sharpmaker

[Curveman]

Is there anyone with experience with all 4? Which one do you recommend and why?

Thank you so much!

Steve

[frassettor]

I have a Lansky and it works great. I heard alot of great stuff about KME that I may have to try one as well!

[Curveman]

Thanks frassettor!

OK, TTT anyone else try two or more of these?

[Kingwouldbe]

Curve, I've used 3 out of the 4 the gatco and the lansky are about the same thing.

I think KME is by far the best construction and precision, the x-course stone beveled and I replaced it with a diamond stones.

The KME jig is the best.

I just got the KME broadhead sharpener, but I have not mastered the thing yet LOL ( I need wider stones 4" wide )

[d. ward]

I have the gatco Steve and like it pretty well seems to work good for me.bowdoc

[Molson]

Not familiar with the Sharpmaker, and not that the Lansky or Gatco are bad, but the KME is much, much better.

[sj_lutz]

I've had my Lansky for a loooong time, works fine for me, never saw the need to look any further.

Only drawback I've seen is that they're pretty useless with a full flat grind blade; nothing for the clamp to grab on to.  I suppose it could work, but you'd end up with a pretty funky edge.

[Recurve50 LBS]

I have the Lansky and the KME knife sharpener. The KME is light years better than the Lansky.

I hve used the Gatco and Lansky. They are virtually the same except for one thing. The plastic part that the stone is mounted on on the Gatco is bigger than that on the Lansky and is easier to hold on to.

Bisch

[Doc Nock]

Found KME to be much more precise and provides a tight guide where my Lansky gives wayyyy too much play stroke-to-stroke.

KME is my only choice now...

[Ray Hammond]

KME is the "next generation" and more well-designed, all made in America until Norton moved the stone manufacturing to Mexico and lowered the quality.

I'm with Kingwouldbe, get the KME if you cannot file sharpen it's the way to go. Just get some better stones. I'm going to try my KME with some diamondstones this weekend to see how it does.

My files are the sharpest, still...but some folks can't make that work so KME would be my first choice.

[d. ward]

after reading everyone's post Steve I was thinking maybe you should buy one of each and make your own sharpening kit.The gatco by far has the best stones and handle set up with the extenable rods.Other units have good features also and you could make your own kit.bd

[New to Traditional]

KME! Nuff' said...haha

[beachbowhunter]

Originally posted by Recurve50 LBS:
I have the Lansky and the KME knife sharpener. The KME is light years better than the Lansky.

My sentiments exactly...

[Bill Turner]

I own the Lansky and the KME broadhead sharpener. I do most of my sharpening by hand and have for years with file and stone. I mix in the Lansky and have been happy with the results. The KME broadhead is well thought out and you cannot beat their service. I use it on my tough sharpening jobs and it has done quite well. If I could only have one I would buy the KME.  

[Ray Hammond]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Recurve50 LBS:
I have the Lansky and the KME knife sharpener. The KME is light years better than the Lansky.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My sentiments exactly...


That guy Ron is kind of freaky, though, eh Beachbowhunter?????
             

[Soilarch]

We talking the spyderco sharpmaker?  And we talking about the KME knife sharpener?

If so I have, and/or had, a generic lansky/gatco/KME type system, a Lansky system and the sparmaker.

Unless you are wanting to modify grizzly heads or rebevel new knives I wouldn't waste time on the Lansky style systems.

I have no experience with the KME

IF you do want to modify heads, sharpen new knives in the <$40 price range [sorry, but most all in the price range need to be rebevelled] or need to remove a lot of material fast the Lansky style shines.

If I was confident in my filing ability I would get rid of my clamp&guide lansky.


Saying all that I think the KME is a much better unit just from looks.  I like my Lansky, no regrets.  Don't know about the GATCO, and the sharpmaker seems overpriced for what it is but I would buy a replacement ASAP if I lost mine!!!!  I've used other "crock-sick" systems...YES the sharpmaker is more/better!

[beachbowhunter]

Originally posted by Ray Hammond:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Recurve50 LBS:
I have the Lansky and the KME knife sharpener. The KME is light years better than the Lansky.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My sentiments exactly...


That guy Ron is kind of freaky, though, eh Beachbowhunter?????
                     

yep, especially when he cut himself and honing oil came out..  :eek:

[BobW]

Being from Buffalo, NY, I have a Lansky (the original place of manufacture).  It has served me well.  I also have recently gotten a KME Broadhead Sharpener, and then a KME Knife Sharpener.  The KME units are exceptional.  They are truly "the next level".  The ability to "fine tune" the angle on the KME Knife sharpener, and the design are really a cut above.

The BH sharpener makes it about as foolproof as you can get.

And with the KME, you get Ron    

BobW

[tippit]

I like the the Gatco with diamond heads.  I tried the KME but because I make blades with all sorts of different spine shapes, I've had more problems getting a good hold on some of my blades.  The Gotco seems to work on all my knives...Doc