Best sharpening system?

I'd be curious what you decide. I just picked up one of those, and am already thinking about a second.
 
Edge pro for me, eventually I'll try paper wheels and a belt grinder.

As it is, the EP is great, nothing too detailed about the angles, I pick an angle and stick with it for most knives.

The old sharpie trick and very light strokes lets me know if I need to drop or raise my angle, I barely have to do that anymore. use the same color for just about every folder.
 
I have used DMT for a long time and I just ordered a edge pro tonight. I hear the EP is the best but only time will tell.
 
SteelSnob said:
I have used DMT for a long time and I just ordered a edge pro tonight. I hear the EP is the best but only time will tell.
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LOL! Not just time, SteelSnob, but just about every EdgePro user will tell you. :thumbup:

To date, I've only run across one or two people who weren't impressed by the EdgePro, and dozens and dozens who are tickled pink! It won't make you put your DMT into the back closet. You'll just use it a whole lot less.

Stitchawl
 
Check it out. I just bought one. Very similar to the edge pro/apex but 1/2 the price and not as big. My two cents.
 
stitchawl said:
There is no 'one best system.' There is only 'best for different situations.'
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I disagree. I've tested every sharpening system on the market. The Edgepro is clearly the best manual system ever devised. Nothing is faster, more accurate, more flexible and more consistent. Perhaps there is one out there that is better but I simply don't know of its existence.

Don't mistake me. There are many sharpening systems that will get a blade as sharp as it can be. But none of them combine all the features, benefits and performance characteristics of the Edgepro.

Incidentally, I don't sell the Edgepro. I just use it.

The V sharpeners like the Sharpmaker are touch up products. They aren't good for grinding. They don't maintain a truly accurate angle. If I use a sharpmaker on an edge that I had sharpened with an Edgepro, it would dull it somewhat. They are fine for people who want to touch up an edge that isn't performing well and don't need a truly sharp edge like the Edgepro or other systems can provide.
 
Knife Outlet said:
I disagree. I've tested every sharpening system on the market. The Edgepro is clearly the best manual system ever devised. Nothing is faster, more accurate, more flexible and more consistent. Perhaps there is one out there that is better but I simply don't know of its existence.

Don't mistake me. There are many sharpening systems that will get a blade as sharp as it can be. But none of them combine all the features, benefits and performance characteristics of the Edgepro.

Incidentally, I don't sell the Edgepro. I just use it.

The V sharpeners like the Sharpmaker are touch up products. They aren't good for grinding. They don't maintain a truly accurate angle. If I use a sharpmaker on an edge that I had sharpened with an Edgepro, it would dull it somewhat. They are fine for people who want to touch up an edge that isn't performing well and don't need a truly sharp edge like the Edgepro or other systems can provide.
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Exactly, the Edge Pro will put a Frightening edge on a knife.... :eek: :thumbup:
 
Knife Outlet said:
I disagree. I've tested every sharpening system on the market. The Edgepro is clearly the best manual system ever devised. Nothing is faster, more accurate, more flexible and more consistent. Perhaps there is one out there that is better but I simply don't know of its existence.
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There is no real disagreement. :) If you read what I posted (beyond the first line) you'll see that I said:
The EdgePro will sharpen any blade regardless of size, to any angle desired, to any degree of grit preferred. ANY, ANY, ANY. ..... This is THE choice for the PERFECT EDGE, ..... It does give "The Perfect Edge." As you say, it is the best manual system ever devised as far as putting on a perfect edge. It's just not the best system for every situation.

It is NOT the best system to leave set up in a small kitchen where space is a concern. It is NOT the best system to put in your backpack for a two-week walk on the Appalachian Trail where weight and space are a concern. Or in the back pocket of a wallboard hanger on a job site. It is NOT the best system for making a convex edge. A Rolls Royce may be the best car (just guessing here... I don't know anything about cars) but it's not best for off-road hill climbs or mud-bogging.

I'll say it again. There is no 'one best system.' There is only 'best for different situations.
 
Flat rocks :D

I use a 1000/4000 grit Japanese waterstone and an extremely coarse Norton stone - usually not in that order.:p It does the trick for everything from chisels to carving knives to combat knives and is not as difficult as some people believe. They're not the best - just the method I prefer.

Recurve blades are a problem, though.:(
 
Dorito Monk said:
Flat rocks :D

Recurve blades are a problem, though.:(
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Try a Sharpmaker using just the corners, or round ceramic rods. It's just about impossible to get consistent angles on a flat stone with a recurve blade. Things like kerambits, the LaGriff, etc., are really rough without something very thin to sharpen with. For those shapes I strop with a 1/2" leather thong loaded with compound.

I have some old Sharpmaker rods from waaaay back that I broke down and mounted on an EdgePro blank. Using the corners of the stone works well for recurves. I used this to sharpen several Kris' that I had been given. The angles along the curves do change as I couldn't really keep the stone perfectly 90° to the edges at all times, but it's close enough for my needs.

Stitchawl
 
For me I fall in the line of "whatever is best for you". I say that because although I love and use my Sharpmaker/rods or stones on the go I tend to bypass my guided systems at home and stick to the 1" belts and paper wheel combo, just because it fits me. When I am wanting some "peace" or want to sit down and "make love" to my knife, I break out the stones and strop block lol.

Either way, I very much suggest also learning to free hand as not only is it a very VERY useful and peaceful skill, it's also very satisfying when your rewarded with a free handed fine haired carving edge :) May not make sense now, but when you do it, you'll see what I mean -atleast when i was told this here, that's how it went for me.

If you still want to know which to buy first anyway, then looking back, I suppose I wished I had bought the Apex 1st (helped me learn angles, as did the Lansky) plus I spent alot of money in the beginning trying out different ones only to settle on the Apex as my guided system of choice, when I used it.
 
stitchawl said:
I'll say it again. There is no 'one best system.' There is only 'best for different situations.
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The question was best sharpener, not most portable sharpener or smallest sharpener or most popular sharpener. There is one best system. There really is.
 
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