I can only comment on the Lansky, as I have never used a Sharpmaker. The Lansky is not real fast, but it puts a beautiful bevel on a blade, and can make a nice sharp edge. I think that probably its best use is to re-bevel a badly damaged edge, or change the bevel on a blade. If you do not get the little clamp back in the same position every time you use it, you will be changing the bevel a little bit, which takes more time, and can remove a lot more metal than you want/need...