Best sharpening system?

S

Stoney26

Joined
Jul 11, 2013
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after owning some high quality knives, ive come to the conclusion that there's a need for a sharpening system. however, im not sure which system is the easiest to use, the most idiot proof, and the one that has the smallest learning curve. What makes one system better than the others? Any input would be great, thank you!
 
camoninja said:
Your hands, some nice diamond stones and a strop.
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I agree^^^.
I have a Worksharp, Smiths 3 sided stone, Norton (walmart) stone, Work sharp Field sharpener, a half a dozen strops, Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander 20 year old Lansky, Smiths diamond system with guide....I don't carry the Work Sharp or the belt sander to the field or camping. So I had to learn to use stones. Now I use a combination of all, depending on my mood and how much time I have.
If you want simple and quick go with the Worksharp and buy extra belts. It is not fool proof but the learning curve is short, and produces good results. Their is a new, improved Worksharp Ken Onion edition just released that looks to be way better than the original.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-Onion-edition-is-FREAKIN-AWESOME!-Long-Post
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rp-Knife-amp-Tool-Sharpener-Ken-Onion-Edition
 
KME. Very easy to use, consistent edge angle, tons of stones and strops available, all for a lot less than the wicked edge and edge pro.
 
Free handing is the best way to learn, but its not for everyone. I have a wicked edge and love it. The reason I went for the WE over the edge pro is the clamping system for the WE. Its pretty idiot proof if you ask me. With the edge pro, your hand is the "clamp" and any tiny change can effect your results. I have a hard time rubbing my belly and patting my head at the same time. I can go from butter knife dull, to a very, very polished edge in 15-20 mins. You will not be disapointed.
 
The most idiot proof is the Wicked Edge costly , less versatile than other systems. Decent selection of stones/strops. Very Pricey compared to other systems.

The best results are with the Edge Pro , more skill required , makes an easier transition to freehanding. Widest variety of stones/strops. More cost effective than the wicked edge. More versatility than any other guided system.

The cheapest is the KME , New on the market , blade affixed , little skill required, young system that has some issues to address. Limited availability of stones / strops.

The most satisfying is Freehanding. Can be the fastest , not the most cost effective (if I had everything for freehanding that I have for my EP it would more than double what I have invested in sharpening) , learning curve , some people "get it" others dont. Widest variety of stones/strops (for obvious reasons)



That's my 0.02 , but its based on time and experience. The only one I haven't tried is the KME.

In my opinion the edge pro is the best quality and best value of the guided systems. It makes an easier transition into freehanding , and can be used with freehanding to do some interesting things. I recommend the pro model , but the essentials or the chosera sets from CKTG is more than enough for the average guy here. I would just add an angle cube and a 140 atoma to those sets.
 
Sadden said:
The most idiot proof is the Wicked Edge costly , less versatile than other systems. Decent selection of stones/strops. Very Pricey compared to other systems.

The best results are with the Edge Pro , more skill required , makes an easier transition to freehanding. Widest variety of stones/strops. More cost effective than the wicked edge. More versatility than any other guided system.

The cheapest is the KME , New on the market , blade affixed , little skill required, young system that has some issues to address. Limited availability of stones / strops.

The most satisfying is Freehanding. Can be the fastest , not the most cost effective (if I had everything for freehanding that I have for my EP it would more than double what I have invested in sharpening) , learning curve , some people "get it" others dont. Widest variety of stones/strops (for obvious reasons)



That's my 0.02 , but its based on time and experience. The only one I haven't tried is the KME.

In my opinion the edge pro is the best quality and best value of the guided systems. It makes an easier transition into freehanding , and can be used with freehanding to do some interesting things. I recommend the pro model , but the essentials or the chosera sets from CKTG is more than enough for the average guy here. I would just add an angle cube and a 140 atoma to those sets.
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There is actually allot of stones and strops available for the KME. Diamond, ceramic, cholera water stones, kangaroo strops, strop man makes custom strops for it, the diamond emulsions they have available are awesome. I'm curious what issues need to be addressed?
 
xICEMANx said:
There is actually allot of stones and strops available for the KME. Diamond, ceramic, cholera water stones, kangaroo strops, strop man makes custom strops for it, the diamond emulsions they have available are awesome. I'm curious what issues need to be addressed?
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Some people complain about the minimum angle mark on the KME, which is in reality, not a problem if you try one out. Same can be said about the Lansky. The KME in my opinion is just as accurate and flexible as the Edge Pro, and has as much or more stones, accessories as the EP, and for a whole lot less money. For my money the Paper Wheels were a better choice for my uses. However, that said, if I was looking for a system for just my own personal knives, I would choose the KME over all the rest.

Blessings,

Omar
 
I could never get free hand sharpening. I started with the sharpmaker, now I use a wicked edge and a tormek t7. The tormek is fast and with a little practice gives excellent results pretty quickly. The wicked edge gives pretty good results as well but takes a long time, sometimes an hour depending on the knife you are sharpening
 
Thank you to everyone for your input! I think i may go with the wicked edge, simply because its the most idiot proof. Id rather be known as "the idiot who spent alot of money on a sharpener when he could have gotten similar results for less" than "the idiot who ruined a custom knife". Just my thoughts at this time, opinion is subject to change though!
 
Even if you do pick up a sharpening system you should really learn how to sharpen freehand its a great skill to have. Also keep in mind that you can just as easily mess up a knife on a sharpening system as you can freehand on a benchstones so your going to want to pick up a cheap knife or three to practice on before you attempt to sharpen your nice knives.
 
I think this thread touches on one of the reasons I am SO interested in sharpening. Not everyone can do it. Even with the rather expensive "automated" systems out there, not everyone can do it. It still requires skill. It's sort of amazing in a way that no one can make a system that's truly idiot proof. That a child or my grandmother could use.

So I still have a purpose in the sharpening world. That's a good thing. :)

Brian.
 
Not sure why so many people here think freehanding isn't for everyone. Millions of men, literally millions, have leaned to freehand. I'm fairly certain our grandfathers would be amazed and just shake their heads at the gadgetry so many of us we think we need to maintain a blade's edge.
 
xICEMANx said:
There is actually allot of stones and strops available for the KME. Diamond, ceramic, cholera water stones, kangaroo strops, strop man makes custom strops for it, the diamond emulsions they have available are awesome. I'm curious what issues need to be addressed?
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Yes , but everything you just listed is available for the edge pro plus a whole lot more. Nubatamas , Shaptons , European Naturals , Japanese Naturals , Diamond Films , Atomas...

Im not knocking the KME , its a great setup for the money , but its a young system with a young crowd. As that crowd learns and develops Ken and Ron will release more and more for it. But currently the aftermarket for the KME is a ways behind both the EP and the WE.

-Ohallum mentioned the minimum angle ,
-My other issue is the amount of play between the system and the base , not a huge deal given the rod system is attached to the blade holder , but there is quite a bit of play visible.
-Base does not seem to sit firmly in a single spot , no way to mount it more securely.
-I am also curious to see how well the ball pivot on the rod guide holds up. Some type of Nylox or something I believe? Theres a lot of abrasive being release there and over time I believe it will develop play. Same as the EP will
-Then theres the blade clamp , not the most condusive to doing large blades (in excess of 12 inches say) With no way adjust for any curvature of the blade.
-How do you accommodate for variation in stone thickness? You have to use an angle cube or a sharpie every single time you change stones otherwise as your coarse stones wear they will get further and further away from your fine stones.

Just off the top of my head.

Again , I am not knocking the KME , Nor am I looking to start a pissing match over who believe what system is better.
 
I like the Lansky or DMT but I really only use it when I reprofile an edge.
Then if it comes off there very sharp it is easy to keep the edge with fine ceramic slip stones and stropping.

I feel using any guided system is a help to the path of free hand sharpening.
The only way to become proficient at sharpening is practice.

Sure it can be frustrating when you end up making a knife more dull than what you started with but that will happen.

When this happens to me I figure out what is wrong then adjust.
I check progress very often with paper and a loupe and am happy with my edges.

With a bit of time anybody who tries can get razor sharp edges just using stones without jigs.
 
I have the W.E. I'm very pleased with it, also the sharp maker , very good also.

If I'm not raising a burr on both sides of the blade as I go threw each grit, reaching the apex of the blade, I'll never get good results, regardless of any system or stones. And you'll have to start over. Yes, there is a learning curve, I'm still getting better, and better.
 
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