Bad at freehand sharpening. Please recommend something that will hold the blade steady.

S

Swingshott

Joined
Dec 22, 2018
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I admit it, i'm pretty bad at freehand sharpening.

Can someone recommend a sharpener that will hold the blade at a constant angle while i sharpen it?

If it was a capable of reprofiling that would be great too.

Hoping for around 200 bucks or less.

I know it's a very noobish thread, so thanks for your patience / support.
 
I use a Lansky guided sharpener. I have the diamond kit. It’s cheap. It works. Is it as good as the wicked edge or other expensive ones? No but it still works.
 
I have a tremor, so practice only helps a little. I use a KME system for big sharpening issues and a Shapmaker for general maintenance.
 
Wicked Edge. Works great. Think the cheapo model might be around $200. Can do reprofiling, get the 50 grit diamond stones for it and a cheap digital protractor/angle gauge to set precise angles and enjoy treetopping arm hairs in an hour or so.
 
115Italian said:
I use a Lansky guided sharpener. I have the diamond kit. It’s cheap. It works. Is it as good as the wicked edge or other expensive ones? No but it still works.
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lansky and Gatco both make nice guides systems for a fraction of a wicked edge. Not as perfect, but they get a great edge. I use a gatco. Just pony up for the diamond stones. Once I profile a knife with it, I touch up on sharpmaker (Spyderco) easily.
 
Edge -Pro.

I tried the Wicked Edge, and it was a great sharpener, but I like the EP a bit better.

You certainly couldn't go wrong with either one though.

Crock Sticks and Sharpmaker are okay if you are willing to settle for only a 15 or 20 degree bevel.

I use Crock Sticks for light touch ups on a few of my knives, but they lack flexibility.
 
Ben Dover said:
Edge -Pro.

I tried the Wicked Edge, and it was a great sharpener, but I like the EP a bit better.

You certainly couldn't go wrong with either one though.

Crock Sticks and Sharpmaker are okay if you are willing to settle for only a 15 or 20 degree bevel.

I use Crock Sticks for light touch ups on a few of my knives, but they lack flexibility.
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I bet, considering you make the EP. Haha.

The Wicked Edge meets the OP's requirement of holding the blade at a constant angle better though, because it is clamped solid and can do both edges continuously with no flipping, or balancing the blade on a small edge while sharpening one side at a time holding the knife at same time. Much smoother and steadier movement/consistent results with the WE in my experience.

KME clamps the blade secure, but limited on angles, if you want something below 17DPS (you should, on a sharpening forum) unless you flip the bracket over, and that limits you on doing blades with a shorter length/belly.
 
Danketch said:
I bet, considering you make the EP. Haha.
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Mistaken identity? The Edge Pro proprietor is Ben Dale.

The Edge Pro works well and is versatile (arguably more than clamped systems), but it's only "half" guided and may frustrate you if you struggle with coordination, so you may prefer a clamped system. Personally I would choose one that is compatible with Edge Pro format stones since those provide the widest choice and you only need one stone of each type. The Hapstone K1 appears to be just within your budget, but I haven't used it. The TSProf models are all more expensive I think.
 
I hope no one misinterpreted my previous post as being critical of the Wicked Edge. I used a WE side by side with my EP for well over a year.

The Wicked Edge is a truly superb system. I would recommend it to anyone without reservation. I just personally felt more comfortable with the EP.
 
Bongobill said:
I admit it, i'm pretty bad at freehand sharpening.
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Don't let anyone shame you into thinking that you need to freehand in order to be one of the cool kids. Frankly, most people who claim to be good freehanders actually turn out pretty ugly work. To be fair, I like a guided jig and think I do nice work, but some here might think I'm a hack. Compared to them, I probably am. I've dabbled with a variety of tools over the years, and have pretty much settled on the Edge Pro Professional. I'd suggest you look at their Apex models. There are a couple that hit your price point.
 
Bongobill said:
I admit it, i'm pretty bad at freehand sharpening.

Can someone recommend a sharpener that will hold the blade at a constant angle while i sharpen it?

If it was a capable of reprofiling that would be great too.

Hoping for around 200 bucks or less.

I know it's a very noobish thread, so thanks for your patience / support.
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For something in between freehand and guided, check out the Washboard Sharpening System.
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Quoted from the website.

"The ridges and relief cuts also provide much greater tactile and auditory feedback - one can tell if they are on the bevel, the shoulder, or if they are just beginning to ride the cutting edge (if one isn't at the proper angle it will feel like they're moving the cutting tool over a washboard. The amount of feedback increases as one gets further from the ideal or target angle.). This makes it a much nicer tool than many other choices when one is trying to quickly touch up an edge, or is doing a moderate amount of work restoring a worn edge. This characteristic can also be useful for maintaining angle control when working with sandpaper or lapping films."
 
Mr.Wizard said:
I believe those have been discontinued.
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Whaaat? :eek: Say it ain't so!
I just checked and the site does say they are out of stock.
It does say to send a email if you are looking for something on the site.
I do hope Martin makes some more when time allows.
Thanks for the heads up, Mr. Wizard.
 
flatblackcapo said:
Whaaat? :eek: Say it ain't so!
I just checked and the site does say they are out of stock.
It does say to send a email if you are looking for something on the site.
I do hope Martin makes some more when time allows.
Thanks for the heads up, Mr. Wizard.
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I believe the are gone. @HeavyHanded said they ended up costing too much to produce.
 
I use an ancient Buck Honemaster, no longer made, sadly. Razoredge Systems makes a similar guide that clamps onto the spine of the blade. These are easy to use and quite effective in maintaining the edge angle.
 
Alberta Ed said:
I use an ancient Buck Honemaster, no longer made, sadly. Razoredge Systems makes a similar guide that clamps onto the spine of the blade. These are easy to use and quite effective in maintaining the edge angle.
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The Honemaster can still be found on the big auction site. I purchased one there a year or two back as my curiosity led me to want to have one.
I haven't used it yet but I know it's there if I ever get the inclination.

One of our members posted his hair whittling results in this forum after sharpening with one.
 
I’ve never grasped freehand sharpening enough to claim I’m a pro at it. When I was younger I did it all the time with varying results. By younger I mean a kid. I’ve got a few stones laying around. I have an Edge Pro, a belt sander with a guide and free hand. I can tell you fastest is a belt sander but you do risk damage. So it takes lots of practice. Blunt to sharp in 5 min flat. Edge Pro is great but their are a couple things I don’t like about it. I’m going to get a different system but not goin got get rid of the edge pro. Freehand is the most satisfying!! If you choose to continue freehand, please drop the cash and get decent water stones or quality diamond stones. It will make a world of difference as I just learned today!!!
 
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