Knife Sharpeners - Recommend?

[BigK]

I've got a Spyderco Sharpmaker. Great system. I can get my knives wicked sharp.

I picked up one of these a couple of weeks ago. I had a little trouble keeping my blade flat against it at first, but using it while your're standing up and a little practice fixed that.

This thing really gets a clean edge and it's much quicker than the clamps/rods I used to use.

[EMTRN]

I have had the Lansky system for about ten years. It does a great job.

[tbenedict]

I had the Lansky and gave it to a friend. Picked up the DMT Aligner off Amazon along with the real fine stone and have been happy. Not pro grade stuff, but handy on real hard or valuable knives.

Still like to touch up by hand on a crock stick.

[Trekbike]

I have a Lansky and it does a good job. I let a coworker borrow it and he ended up buying one himself.

[quietguy]

I am maniacal about keeping knives sharp. A dull knife is as worthless as an unloaded gun.

First, learn how to sharpen a knife using stones and a strop. This is a basic skill that everyone should have.

Second, the Lansky and Tormek systems rock. The Lansky system will put the best edge on a knife that I have experienced. Their sapphire stones are amazing.

Third, take a look at the Work Sharp Knife and Tool system. They need a little more variety in their abrasive selection, but it may be the easiest to use and capable electric sharpener I have ever seen.

[Blitzen]

I've always used 4 grades of oil stones but have never really been satisfied but do get some blades to just shave hair. I'm in the market for some new stones, guide system or 1x30 belt grinder. Not decided yet. Thinking about buying a nice new set of water stones and picking up a belt sander from Harbor Freight and practice on some cheap knives to see how that works. Seems like a lot of American knife makers have gone to the convex grind. I recently puchased a Bark River "Gunny" in CPM-3v for an EDC knife so I will have to learn to use sand paper on the mouse pad etc. Nice knife by the way and I am currently breaking in the leather sheath.

[Guest JMP]

I use the Spyderco sharpmaker as well, but admittedly I have no interest in hair splitting or blade edge polishing. If the sharpmaker wont take care of it then I'll send it off to Tom Krein. Again I'm lazy about knives though.