Another sharpener question

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laktrash

Joined
Aug 29, 2010
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Ok I'm new to knives and trying to learn. I know this has been discussed several times and there is no black and white answer, but here goes. I know the front runners are sharpmaker, dmt, and paperwheels, some like the lansky. The edge pro seems popular but pricey. I just want to learn just to be able to do it and have the satisfaction that I sharpened it. I'm not "handy" or "crafty". I really don't have any highend knives but would like to collect some mid range nice ones along the way. Everybody seems to like the sharpmaker for beginners but I'm afraid I wouldn't maintain a consistant edge angle. The paper wheel, I already have a bench grinder and a spare electric motor that I don't use. But again I worry about the angle and burning a blade up.The DMT seems to lend its self for more of a beginner to learn how to freehand. Am I correct in thinking this? I just want to piddle and learn more "therapeutic" as one guy said. I like the edgepro but $$. Schrade makes a cheaper knock off is any good ? Any suggestions ?
Sorry 'bout long thread
 
I had always used a Lansky but recently upgraded to the Edge Pro Apex. This system is fool proof and gives me scary sharp edges. I highly recommend it.
 
something like the edge pro would be great for someone who isn't too handy.

paper wheels are great, but still take practice to get the technique down, and you can screw up a blade pretty quick if you aren't careful.
 
Out of all the guided systems I tried the best, yet least $, was pro'lly the DMT Magna Guide or the Aligner. The only things I didn't like about the MagnaGuide was the Diafolds weren't always consistently flat and the amount, though little, of play dictated by the square the rod goes into. There will always be just a little play in those types of systems but they do give very good results. I felt I could get better results with another system and went with the Edgepro. The Edgepro locks the rod at the pivot so there is no play. The Edgepro is the king of guided systems and unless you have no coordination at all should give you quality results every time. When I finally bought one it was the first time I got scary sharp edges. I must admit that I have since tried the paper wheels and love them. Unless you're doing very acute angles on the wheels you really don't have to worry about burning the edges. If it takes a few passes per side to get the edge how you want it, just take your time, maybe even dunk the blade into some water after each pass and you'll be fine. The thing with paper wheels is that you still need to get the movement needed to sharpen the blade, as with freehanding on stones. There are videos all over the Web that can help you with proper blade movement. It's not unlike learning freehanding, it's just that the results obtained from each pass on a wheel is obviously obtained more quickly because the wheels are rotating much faster than when you're moving the blade across a stone. If you have the opportunity to try some systems out there before buying than do that. In the end it's all about what gives you satisfaction, both mentally and of the edges you're obtaining.
 
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neuron said:
+1 on the Apex. It's well worth the investment.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I've been very impressed with mine so far. It's great for reprofiling an edge as well as keeping the knife sharp. Here is the first knife I did on the Apex:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8642841&postcount=1

However, if you are unable to shell out the $230+ for the Apex, the DMT aligner or teh Sharpmaker would be good choices as well. Any guided system as well as sharpening with waterstones, paper wheels, etc. will take time to learn. It will also vary from knife to knife (based on the grind).
 
KME Sharpener is like the other clamp/angle guides with one big improvement--there is no play between the rod and guide. It uses a ball system like the Edge Pro uses.

The Edge Pro looks nice, I just don't care for the water stones--too messy.
 
I have to say I learned on a Lansky. It helped me get to hair whittling sharp, and then I moved on to less clumsy alternatives. I now primarily sharpen by hand with a block wedge and flat bench stones. I use DMT coarse, Spyderco brown medium and fine white, and then ultra fine white, and then I finish with diamond spray strop. I do own and enjoy paper wheels. It is fast, and sharp, for when I do not have time to do as I do above. My quest has ended with these 2 processes for best sharpening processes.
 
I wasn't aware of the kme. It looks like an option. I know the edge pro seems to be the best option, but I hate to spend the extra $$. This one of those deals the more you learn the more confused you get."At least in my case" I guess its a matter of gettin' your feet wet. Thinking about going to woodcrafters and getting a wheel and see where that goes, but still like the idea of dmt or something similar.
Thanks for the ideas and advice, you'd think I was buying a house !!
 
I am currently learning on a set of DMT diafolds. A few tries with beater knives later, I can get a very useable edge freehand that can push cut newspaper with ease.

Obviously, I lack the finesse of other members here (no mirrors here yet!), but it doesn't take long to be able to get a decent edge on a knife, and the Magna-guide helps quite a bit when just starting out, just to practice locking your wrist.

One tip, though: due to the design of the Aligner unit, knives under 0.5" in width (edge to spine) have issues when it comes to shallower grind angles, so I would personally start out trying to sharpen something like a 5" chef's knife or santoku. The Sharpie trick helps a lot here too, to make sure you are actually removing metal from where you want to on the edge.

Oh, and another tip, keep the blade and sharpening surface wet when sharpening. It cuts a *lot* faster that way, as the swarf is washed away with each stroke, allowing the diamonds to cut better. Additionally, when you sharpen wet, it creates a much more polished edge than when dry.

Overall, a set of diafolds C-EEF + a magna guide ran about $80, so I think this setup is very cost-effective in terms of price/performance.

Good luck with your search!
 
Any of the systems are going to have a learning curve, but some will be steeper than others. :D I like to freehand on DMT stones, but still often use the Magna-guide when sitting in a chair, just because it is so portable.

While there are plenty of systems mentioned already, the Sharpmaker and the Magna-guide will let you keep components that will still be useful if you move on to other systems.
 
As I've said before (many times,:D) the EdgePro is the very best hand powered system available. Period. But it is not the ONLY hand powered system that works well, and really shouldn't be thought of as the best for all situations. Quite often I use my Sharpmaker rather than my EdgePro, especially for weekly touch-ups to my kitchen knives. And I use the DMT Aligner when portability is important.

One knife isn't BEST for ALL situations. Neither is one sharpener. If you want the best results, use the sharpener that is best for that particular situation.

Stitchawl
 
Just to comment on the DMT Aligner...

I like the flexibility of this clamp versus something like the Razor Edge System's clamp or a Lansky system. Reason being is that you can use the DMT Alinger clamp as a guide for a benchstone and teach yourself the muscle memory to train yourself for free-hand sharpening much like you can with the Razor Edge Systems clamp, but on the other hand with the entire Alinger kit you can then also have a guided system in the fashion of the Lansky.
 
I just ordered an Apex 4 after month of research. I could have gone with something powered, like the Tormek T7, but I like portability of the Edge Pro. Also if you are really going to get into sharpening their are companies like http://www.jendeindustries.com which carry Shapton and Chosera stones for the EP. Chiefs knives to go carries what they call an Apex 5 (http://http://www.chefknivestogo.com/edge-pro-sharpener.html) which is an Apex 1 with Chosera stones. It is a great deal. I decided to go with the stock Apex 4 plus 2 extra stones, leveling kit/base, guides, and some extra Silicon Carbide for about $25 more. I know the Chosera's are incredible stones, but if I am going to master the Edge Pro, why waste the good stuff. Besides, from everything I have read, the stock EP stones are fantastic too. It will pay for it self in your lifetime. Not to mention sharpening can relieve stress. Go for it!
 
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laktrash said:
I wasn't aware of the kme. It looks like an option. I know the edge pro seems to be the best option, but I hate to spend the extra $$. This one of those deals the more you learn the more confused you get."At least in my case" I guess its a matter of gettin' your feet wet. Thinking about going to woodcrafters and getting a wheel and see where that goes, but still like the idea of dmt or something similar.
Thanks for the ideas and advice, you'd think I was buying a house !!
Click to expand...

My paper wheels built my house overnight. :D
 
Hi Guys,
As mentioned in an earlier posted " It's expensive' but I think the Wicked Edge Sharpening system is the best. You can't beat sharpening both sides of the blade at the same time and not having to take the knife out of the clamp to do it. I also like all the pre mounted accessories for it !

have to save some money first though so I guess my Alinger mounted in a bench vice will have to do.

On the other hand What the He// do I know !

Electric,
 
electric said:
have to save some money first though so I guess my Alinger mounted in a bench vice will have to do.
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No need to mount it in a bench vise. You can use the DMT Aligner system while sitting in a chair watching Sunday afternoon football. It really IS that simple to use, and the results 'just about' as nice as you'll get from the Wicked Edge or an EdgePro. The difference is that 'just about' part. ;)
It's not something that will effect a difference in how well the knife normally cuts.

Stitchawl
 
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