I have a Lansky knife sharperner and I can't seem to get it to grip a knife blade sercurely enough to keep it from slipping. I can't get it to grip it to grip a 940 blade well enough. I've tried to improve the grip by using tape and rubber to give the holder more grip, but it seems if the blade is anything but large and flat, the holder won't control the blade.

Any suggestions?

i have the same sharpener and i make sure that the slotted screw is turned far enough open to put the flats of the jaws clamped on the blade at the very front of the jaws and not the middle or back of the jaws. i also crank the screw down pretty tight and look at the edge of the blade as it is clamped to make sure the jaws are clamped 90 degress to the blade.the clamp tends to favor one side or the other sometimes which will result in the sides being sharpened uneven. one side where sharpened will be longer than the other.

What he said - you have to adjust both screws. I keep a dime in my Lansky kit just for that purpose.

Set screws, alignment rods etc. Just another reason to learn how to freehand those knives.

I have one of these and although I now like it and can do well with it after much practice and trial n' error............ it was a PITA in the beginning.
I Do Not try to use the "little cutouts" [that I guess are supposed to be the "jaws"] to hold the blade. Instead I adjust the holder to clamp the blade securely farther back on the flats of the holder.
This of course changes the preset angles so you can no longer go by that. Experiment to see what works for you.
Also.. make sure the rods are straight....... cause chances are right out of the box they are not. I check mine on a smooth table top or a piece of glass every time I use them.... and make needed adjustments.
WOW..... after reading what I have written........ I may just invest in something else .........
Good luck...........

You might also consider looking at DMT's newly redesigned clamp. It has deep jaws and would work with your lansky rods.

I have the new style DMT clamp and there isn't a knife out there that it won't accomodate.

Buy an edgepro .......its the only sharpener you,ll ever need , fast an easy .............dj

Yes...the Gatco clamp, which is the same design as the Lansky, scored a line on the blade of the practice slip joint I tried on it, and the small indent for little knives is pretty much worthless. I still use the stones, but sharpen things freehand with them.

When I can, an Edge Pro is on the list of must haves.

You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.

-Edge Pro

If that's directed at me, send me a PM.