When a knife gets dull, there’s more than one way to get an edge back on it. As a result there are numerous different types of knife sharpeners out there.

This short post will explore four of the main types of Lansky knife sharpeners that are commercially available along with their relative advantages.

Pull-Through Lansky Knife Sharpeners

Lansky pull-through knife sharpeners are among the most basic of all types of knife sharpeners. Typically, a pull-through knife sharpener has a slot with two ceramic rods or carbide blades set into the sides at angles.

By drawing the edge through the slot, you shave away the burrs and reprofile the edge, sharpening it.

Pull-through knife sharpeners are therefore among the easiest of all knife sharpeners to learn how to use, and there is a very small learning curve associated with them.

Sharpening Stones

Sharpening stones are a little more generalized than Lansky pull-through knife sharpeners,  and as a result, they are much more versatile. For instance, a sharpening stone can be used to sharpen chisels and scissors in addition to knives, among other edged tools.

The tradeoff is that it is slightly harder to learn how to use a sharpening stone effectively. Notably, you must make sure that you are sharpening the edge at an appropriate angle, or else you can ruin it by contact with the stone.

One drawback of sharpening stones, on top of the fact that it’s a little harder to learn how to use them, is that they cannot be used to effectively sharpen inwardly-curved and recurved blades, like karambits and hawkbill knives.

Sharpening Rods

Sharpening rods consist of either ceramic, steel, or diamond-impregnated rods that can be used to put an edge back on a knife.

They are more specialized than sharpening stones and more generalized than pull-through knife sharpeners, making them highly versatile and effective.

Because of the nature of their design, sharpening rods can not only be used to restore a straight edge on a knife, they can be used to put an edge back on a curved blade. Sharpening rods are also one of the only effective solutions for sharpening inwardly-curved and recurved blades, like pruning knives, karambits, and talon and hawkbill blades. Sharpening rods are also one of the only effective solutions for restoring the edge of serrations, which can neither be sharpened on stones nor on pull-through sharpeners.

Lansky Knife Sharpening Systems

Lastly, there are some all-in-one Lansky knife sharpening systems that consist of a series of stones or rods in different grits, with angle guides, and with detailed instructions.

These are among the most effective of all Lansky knife sharpeners not only because they are highly effective at restoring a razor sharp edge, but because they come with step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow so even a beginner can be effective with one.

On top of that, many all-in-one Lansky knife sharpener systems have edge or angle guides that, if they are used properly, all but eliminate the possibility of making a mistake, making these systems much more suitable for those that are not familiar with freehand sharpening a knife on a stone or a rod.

Take Your Pick at The Knife Connection

Not sure which type of Lansky knife sharpener is right for you but sure you need at least one in your collection? Visit The Knife Connection. They carry a wide range of sharpening stones and systems, from Lansky and other leading brands. You can learn more on their website and if you have any questions about specifications, get in touch with them directly.

For more information about White River Knives and Custom Knife Scales Please visit: The Knife Connection.