Best Sharpener for a Beginner?

[fvdk]

Which one? The Ken Onion version is variable speed, so the above isn't an issue.

Both.
Even at low speed it can still remove a lot of metal create an unwanted recurve or round of the tip.
It can be a great tool for people who know what they are doing or for people who just want fast results. I just would not recommend it for a beginner but that is my personal opinion.

 

[cbwx34]

Both.
Even at low speed it can still remove a lot of metal create an unwanted recurve or round of the tip.
It can be a great tool for people who know what they are doing or for people who just want fast results. I just would not recommend it for a beginner but that is my personal opinion.

To me that's just an education issue... no different than any other sharpening method or device. (Just look at how many posts there are where users sharpen the tips off their knives with a Sharpmaker... theoretically one of the 'easiest and safest' sharpening methods available).

Variable speed greatly reduces the issues you mentioned... combined with learning how to use it, it's a great device for anyone. Even the original model can be used safely with a bit of practice. No argument that a high speed sander can make mistakes faster, (but hey, you can learn to fix them faster too).

Common sense applies of course... don't start sharpening on your best knife (regardless of what you use).

 

[fvdk]

I don't think that we necessarily disagree but that I am just a bit more cautious to recommend a powered system to a beginner, not knowing if they are interested enough or want to invest the time to getting to know the system.

Just about any sharpening system can give very good results when used properly or can just as easy mess up a knife if used incorrect. I just think that with a powered system it is easier to mess things up. But like you say: combined with learning how to use it, it's a great device for anyone. (or can be)

I have both the original version and the Ken Onion edition with the blade grinding attachment so I know what can be achieved with them but for most of my knives I prefer one of the other systems.

Guided system or freehand sharpening, I would say that it is still necessary to understand the basic principles of sharpening and what to look for. And as with many other things in life, not only common sense applies but some people get it naturally, some have to practice a little or a lot and some will never get it.

As always..... just my personal opinion of course

Frans

 

[cbwx34]

Guided system or freehand sharpening, I would say that it is still necessary to understand the basic principles of sharpening and what to look for.

All good points... especially this. :thumbup:

 

[vic2367]

my recommendations are

spyderco sharpmaker

worksharp

2 excellent and easy systems to use

ive stopped using the sharpmaker and just use the worksharp

 

[bgentry]

I have both the original version and the Ken Onion edition with the blade grinding attachment so I know what can be achieved with them but for most of my knives I prefer one of the other systems.

Before you said you thought it was too fast even at low speed. But now you say you don't use the system, which implies that you don't like something about it. You're entitled to your opinion of not liking it. Opinions are great around here so people get several perspectives.

I'm just taking a little bit of issue with what you said about low speed. The lowest speed on the WSKO, with the trigger locked is SUPER low. You would have to do something very stupid to remove a lot of metal on that setting. It's a very, very safe way to learn how to use a powered system. Low is LOW on the WSKO.

Brian.

 

[fvdk]

I did not say that I do not use them, just that I prefer other (manual) systems for most of my knives

I sometimes use one of the Work Sharps on my kitchen or utility knives when I just want a quick sharp edge and do not care if it is convex. But you are right, I do not particularly like them. For me, even at the lowest speed, it is still a lot faster than the control and precision that I have with my manual systems. I am also not a great fan of convex edges.

So, why do I have them?
I have been fascinated with sharpening since I was a kid and my grandfather ruined my precious knife on a bench grinder when I asked him to sharpen it. I than decided that I wanted to learn how to sharpen a knife myself so that would never happen again. I like to experiment and I have accumulated a nice collection of different sharpening equipment and I still like to experiment which one works best for a particular type of knife as they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Even if I think or read that a particular system is crap, I still like to try it for myself so if possible, I will buy it.

Part of my collection:

I believe as I stated before that great results can be achieved with just about any system available if used correctly and that any system can ruin a knife as well if used wrong.

I do not claim to have all the answers or that I know best. I just realize that I am at least a bit more fanatic than most and that not everyone is in the position to buy a certain system just to try it out therefor I will always try to give my best advice and honest opinion based upon the question and my own experience with the different systems.

Frans

 

[bgentry]

For me, even at the lowest speed, it is still a lot faster than the control and precision that I have with my manual systems. I am also not a great fan of convex edges.

The edges really aren't very convex. That's really a red herring that everyone says over and over again. Yes, they are convex, but can you tell? Do they cut any differently? Do they look different? Not substantially in my experience.

If low isn't controlled enough for you, then you must have extremely high standards of slow, careful metal removal. Or you're holding down the trigger, as opposed to locking it. Locking the trigger drops the speed somewhat compared to holding it. But let's just agree to disagree on these points. Keep reading...

I like to experiment and I have accumulated a nice collection of different sharpening equipment and I still like to experiment which one works best for a particular type of knife as they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Even if I think or read that a particular system is crap, I still like to try it for myself so if possible, I will buy it.

Part of my collection:

I thought I had a problem with buying too many sharpening systems and stones. I still want a few more, but I have no good reason to get any because I have so many. Your collection makes mine look meager and small. I am quite impressed!

I do not claim to have all the answers or that I know best. I just realize that I am at least a bit more fanatic than most and that not everyone is in the position to buy a certain system just to try it out therefor I will always try to give my best advice and honest opinion based upon the question and my own experience with the different systems.

That's fantastic. I hope you won't mind me backing up my own opinions either. I've used the WSKO on something like 200 blades at this point, so I know it well, and I have a fairly strong opinion about it. As you can tell.

Should we ever meet, I'll buy you a few beers if you'll show me your sharpening collection.

Brian.

 

[fvdk]

The edges really aren't very convex. That's really a red herring that everyone says over and over again. Yes, they are convex, but can you tell? Do they cut any differently? Do they look different? Not substantially in my experience.

Yes, I can tell that they are convex but I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, I just prefer V-edges. I do think they cut differently but there are numerous factors that determines how a knife cuts so that is not exclusive to convex edges.

If low isn't controlled enough for you, then you must have extremely high standards of slow, careful metal removal. Or you're holding down the trigger, as opposed to locking it. Locking the trigger drops the speed somewhat compared to holding it. But let's just agree to disagree on these points. Keep reading...

I do have (extremely) high standards and I strive for perfection but certainly not for all my knives. For most of them I am perfectly happy if they are just sharp and do the job well but as a hobby, I like to sit down and spend a lot of time sharpening just one knife trying to get that perfect edge.

I thought I had a problem with buying too many sharpening systems and stones. I still want a few more, but I have no good reason to get any because I have so many. Your collection makes mine look meager and small. I am quite impressed!

And that's not all, I have more that are not in the photo. I guess as with most collectors, I have much more than I would ever need yet we can not stop getting more

That's fantastic. I hope you won't mind me backing up my own opinions either. I've used the WSKO on something like 200 blades at this point, so I know it well, and I have a fairly strong opinion about it. As you can tell.

Of course I don't mind. I love it when someone has a strong opinion on something just as long as they are open to the opinion of other as well and do not claim that their opinion is the only truth.

Should we ever meet, I'll buy you a few beers if you'll show me your sharpening collection.

I would love that and if you are ever in the Netherlands, make sure you let me know.

Frans

 

[mccoppinb]

Love my lanky turnbox works great

 

[jrhoyt84]

I'm in the same boat here. Started with the sharp maker. I've gotten to the point I can put a relatively sharp edge on a knife, but it's not necessarily the best looking. So I'm looking to step up to the next level. Kme, apex, or wicked edge. I like the idea of a vise holding the knife, but I question how good they actually work on a ffg blade. 700 big ones is a lot to drop on something that doesn't work perfect for what I'm trying to accomplish