Assisted sharpening (wicked, edge pro) users, do you ever practice freehand anymore?

J

jimmybjj

Joined
Nov 30, 2010
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19
I am wanting to purchase a wicked edge but I still have not gotten real good at freehand. I know this may sound silly but for some reason i view assisted sharpening as kind of cheating. when you purchase the system did you find that you still used the "stones" ? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks.
 
i consider that as cheating too. to be honest i don't use my EP that often. i mainly sharpen my japanese and custom kitchen knives on waterstones for my work.

i originaly bought the edge pro when i got into pocket knives, i found out that my muscle memory was set to the very acute angles i use for kitchen knives. i didn't want to mess this getting used to 15 or 20 degres per side (these angles are about what i'm used to but inclusive ...:D).

now i practiced using hand held stones, diafold or DC4 or the like. sharpening with the stone in one hand and the knife in the other isn't as precise a on bench stones but i devellopped a different skillset and the EP sees less and less use. only for display & dress knives when i want a perfect looking mirror edge, just because it polishes faster than the diafolds + 0,5 micron strop (IMHO) and gives a neat looking bevel.
 
My first really good edges came from a Lansky. I subsequently tried the GATCO guided system, and was able to get very good edges from that. Both systems illustrated, to me, what a really clean, uniform bevel can do for cutting performance. That spurred my interest in developing my freehand technique, with which I've been spending a lot of time lately, using diamond hones from DMT. I've also been experimenting with sandpaper on soft & hard backing, producing some nice convex edges. Having said all that, I still think guided sharpeners have their place. I've even recently ordered a DMT Aligner Clamp & Magna-Guide hone holder, with which I'll do some experimenting on bench stones and Dia-Folds.

I'll never stop working on improving my freehand skills. I find it very relaxing & therapeutic anyway; it's very satisfying. But, there are times when a guided setup will be very much appreciated (quick restoration of edges on kitchen knives, for instance).
 
jimmybjj said:
I am wanting to purchase a wicked edge but I still have not gotten real good at freehand. I know this may sound silly but for some reason i view assisted sharpening as kind of cheating. when you purchase the system did you find that you still used the "stones" ? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I got over that cheating guilt really fast after I bought and got schooled on the WEPS. The only time I could ever see free hand sharpening again would be when I am out and about away from my WEPS and then it would just be a touch-up with my Fallkniven DC-4 stone.
Having said that, my edges seem to last a very long time now so I will probably never have to touch-up free hand. BTW one of the neat things about Clay's WEPS is that touch-ups take mere seconds and because I keep records of the exact position of the knife in the clamp and the angles I set, my edges are accurately repeatable...got to love this fine tool.

Cheers :D
Leo
 
Checked with my therapist, he said guilt is a useless emotion. Asked the Wife and she said, "Just try it"!
Yes, I do freehand on stuff that I've always done freehand. I am waiting for my W.E. and will use on my "nice" knives with absolutely zero guilt or concern what so ever especially with the results everyone using the system seems to enjoy.
For those who truly enjoy free handing and find the concentration and time involved therapeutic - I get that and for them I am happy.
As for me, I no longer listen to my 8 track nor do I still have a bag phone in my car.
I have no problem embracing new technology and enjoying its results.
 
rubiconss said:
Checked with my therapist, he said guilt is a useless emotion. Asked the Wife and she said, "Just try it"!
Yes, I do freehand on stuff that I've always done freehand. I am waiting for my W.E. and will use on my "nice" knives with absolutely zero guilt or concern what so ever especially with the results everyone using the system seems to enjoy.
For those who truly enjoy free handing and find the concentration and time involved therapeutic - I get that and for them I am happy.
As for me, I no longer listen to my 8 track nor do I still have a bag phone in my car.
I have no problem embracing new technology and enjoying its results.
Click to expand...

ROTFLMAO !!!
Thanks for the belly laugh!
Bravo mate! Well said! Welcome to the club of happy WEPS sharpeners.

Best regards :D
Leo
 
I'm not against assisted sharpening devices but I am strongly for practicing the art of knife sharpening using bench stones.
 
DaveMartell said:
I'm not against assisted sharpening devices but I am strongly for practicing the art of knife sharpening using bench stones.
Click to expand...

And from what I have read and discovered, you do that kind of sharpening at an expert level Dave! Kudos for you my friend, as the art of free-hand sharpening is not forgiving of klutzes like me.
Dave and I know each other from another forum and I hold him in high esteem as a sharpener and just as a gentleman too. Listen to his wisdom.
Good to see you over here Dave.

Best regards
Leo
 
Assisted sharpening is to cheating as taking the elevator is to getting to the top floor.
Is it cheating to make your campfire with a Bic lighter, or should you only use your flint?

If your goal is to have a perfect edge quickly, assisted sharpening is the only way to go. If your goal is the 'path' to a perfect edge, free hand is the way to go.

While freehand sharpening is a learned skill, it's not rocket science... it's practice. If you want to keep practicing, there is no reason not to. I know that I can sleep on the ground. I've done it many times when camping. However, I prefer to sleep in a bed when I'm at home.



Stitchawl
 
I have an Edge Pro and I've used it maybe a dozen times in 4 years, 99% of my sharpening is still freehand, that's how I learned and that's still the fastest easiest way to put an edge on a blade.

Now if I have to do a major reprofile on a blade, (I don't have a belt grinder) I'll use the Edge Pro, a great tool.
 
I don't touch freehand sharpening anymore, at all, other than using a smooth steel or ceramic hone to straighten an edge a bit.

I know I don't hold as consistent an angle as the assisted system does (Edge Pro, in my case); why randomly change a deliberately profiled blade? Change it deliberately, certainly; but just because I can't keep as precise an angle? No.
 
I've never been able to hand sharpen. I've tried--a lot. My Grandfather could sharpen a couch cushion. He even had a fork that he sharpened one of the outside tines so he could use it to cut meat with while eating. I just don't have the ability. I've use a Lansky with so-so results and bought a sharp maker about a year or so ago. Can't use that thing for crap. My kitchen knives blades flex and I can never hold the knife completely vertical with the stones to produce an even edge. I've just been turned on to the Wicked Edge and think that I may try that one. I figure at this point I'll try everything up to and including voodoo to get my knives sharp.
 
I use my wicked edge mainly to create very precise secondary bevels - or, to modify existing factory bevels. If I want to get something tree-topping I use a belt sander with 80 grit AO belts to develop a burr, and then take it through a 1000 grit waterstone, a 4000 or 6000 grit stone, and then strop on diamond loaded leather.

I am also relatively old school when it comes to grinding my smaller Japanese style knives. I use power equipment for only half of the stock removal process -- and then I sit in the bathtub with highly aggressive waterstones to 'finish the deed.' I do the sharpening freehand on waterstones also.
 
I've got an EdgePro, a Sharpmaker, and a belt-sander, but almost all of my sharpening is freehand.

Don't have good enough ventillation to use the belt sander indoor; don't have the skills to use the EdgePro on my kitchen cutlery or on my favorite pocketknife (Kershaw External Toggle - its thumb ramp requires sharpening at an angle I can't figure out with the EdgePro, but can do easily freehand).

I really like rubiconss' post about guilt - at least as far as it pertains to sharpening.

When I get better at sharpening, I might use my EdgePro more. Or get a referral from rubiconss' therapist.
 
Over the years I have tried a lot of things...I always seem to come back to free-hand. 90% of the time, I just want a fairly quick touch up on the finer grits, and I can pull what I need and set it on my thigh and be done before I could even begin to set up a jig.

I have nothing against any method of sharpening, I just do what suits my preference and gives the results I seek.
 
A couple years back I swore by freehand- and was fairly good. Probably couldnt do what a lot of folks here can, but I got nice hair shaving edges with my DMT stones (and before that, I could bring up a better edge than you'd think cheap arkansas stones). Past few years I've been using a Sharpmaker on my EDC and I have to admitt, my freehand skills are quite rusty. Sharpmaker is easier but really, if you are well practiced with freehand its not significantly better.

Of course, YMMV.
 
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