If you want to have sharp knives at all times, you should totally learn how to use a Lansky Pocket Knife Sharpener. We have just the guide that can help!
Short answer, for the Lansky BladeMedic: use the carbide slot only when the edge is really dull, finish in the ceramic slot, sharpen serrations one by one on the tapered ceramic rod, and save the diamond rod for gut hooks and stubborn spots. Pull the knife through toward you with light pressure, never back and forth.
Oftentimes, when we think of sharpening a knife, we think of using a whetstone or paying a professional to sharpen it for you. But if you want a cheaper and faster way of sharpening your knives, we’ve got you covered.
Sharpening a knife can be a very stressful and time-consuming task if you don’t have the right tools. Luckily, Lansky has some amazing tools that can quickly and effectively sharpen any type of knife. And, you can fit their tools in your pocket! There are multiple knife-sharpening tools built in a Lansky sharpening tool, which we will be reviewing, and teaching you how and when to use them.
In the following text, you’ll see the best ways to use a Lansky Pocket Knife sharpener and we’ll go over the most important features of this incredible sharpener. Here is what you should know.
If you want to check some of our other related articles have a look at Smith’s knife sharpener review or, once you’re done, how to tell if your knife is sharp enough.
Carbide Slot
If you want to sharpen a very dull edge or if you want to sharpen a blade as fast as you possibly can, then the carbide slot will serve as your to-go sharpening slot with just a couple of strokes needed to restore an extremely dull edge. Just note that carbide removes steel fast, so only use this slot when the knife is really dull: 3 or 4 light pulls from heel to tip, always toward you, with the blade held straight up. Then move to the ceramic slot.
Ceramic Slot
The ceramic slot is best used for finishing and polishing your blade. Use it after you have already sharpened your blade on the Carbide slot. The ceramic slot is not as aggressive and tough as the carbide slot so it serves as the last touch that your blade needs. For a knife that is only a little dull, a few pulls through the ceramic slot alone are enough.
Tapered Ceramic Rod (Serrations)
This tool is great to get inside serrations, small or large ones. Work only on the beveled side of the edge: set the rod in one serration at the same angle as the bevel, stroke it a few times, and move to the next. Finish with one light pass on the flat side to remove the burr. Always be sure that you move the blade away from your fingers so you don’t risk hurting yourself during the process.
The ceramic on this one is harder than steel and will probably never wear out and this can serve as your main everyday knife sharpening tool, however mind that after some use the ceramic will turn a black color and this will reduce the effectiveness so be sure to clean your tool right after use with water and a mild scouring cleanser to reduce that risk.
Diamond Tempered Rod
This tool is excellent for gut hooks and large serrations, and for spots the ceramic rod is too slow on. Keep in mind that this tool should never be lubricated before use. And another thing is that you should use the diamond rod sparingly because it tends to wear off over time.
Pros:
- Perfect angles for sharpening short and medium knives.
- Easier to use than any other knife sharpening tool.
- Well-designed and allows different angle access.
- Another pro of the Lansky sharpening tool is that it has a reasonable price.
- Great value for money
Cons:
- The slots have a fixed angle, so you can’t choose it
- Slow on long kitchen knives
For an even finer edge after the ceramic slot, a few strokes on leather help; see how to strop a knife.
Some tips for using the Lansky Knife Sharpener
If you want to get the most out of your Lansky Knife Sharpener purchase, you need to know all about its features and abilities. Here, we went over the tips that will help you use the unit wisely. Also, we’ll go over the things you should know to ensure its longevity.
If you want to choose the angle yourself, Lansky’s QuadSharp has carbide slots at 17, 20, 25 and 30 degrees plus a ceramic stone for polishing. Lower angles suit thin kitchen and pocket knives; higher ones suit hard-use outdoor blades.
First, you should know that the Lansky sharpener is great for 2 kinds of knives: medium or small. Trying to sharpen larger knives will just be frustrating, and it won’t be beneficial at all. However, you could be able to sharpen some knives like a 8-inch chef’s knife. Still, this would take you a longer time than you probably have patience for.
Second, you should find a couple of disposable knives and practice your angle. Just like with any new tool, you need to feel the unit. It would be a bit challenging to find the best one for you, but then again, after a bit of practice you’ll get a hang of it. Simply try pointing the rod down on a solid surface while you hold the sharpener in a vertical position. It’s not that hard, but beginners need some time to get the hang of it.
Conclusion
The Lansky knife sharpening tools are great for people that want an easy and effective way to sharpen their kitchen and other purpose knives. Easily fit in your pocket, the Lansky sharpening tools give the option to sharpen knives in the matter of seconds thanks to their amazing design and versatility for an affordable price. The affordable price makes the Lansky knife sharpening tools the ideal choice for everyday knife users, and also for the knife lovers that want to keep their knives in perfect shape. The versatility of this tool allows the average person to sharpen their knives in a very easy and effective way thanks to the multiple sharpening tools that this sharpener has.
If your folder is stiff or won’t close after cleaning, see how to fix a pocket knife, and for curved blades, how to sharpen a hawkbill knife.
Gary Portman founded knivesadvice.com in 2019. He learned to cook in his family’s kitchen as a kid and has used kitchen, pocket and outdoor knives ever since, from paring and fillet knives to survival blades he carries camping and hiking. He writes the site’s buying guides, brand reviews and sharpening how-tos to help readers find the right knife for the job. More about Gary.