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Best sharpening system?
- Thread starter rc3mil
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Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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If one can't get a knife sharp with an Edge Pro they need to just get rid of all their knives.... LOL
It comes with an Excellent video and directions that even a 10 year old could understand.
STOP THE MUSIC!!
I said the EdgePro is the very best hand powered sharpening system on the market today.
It's just not the best for ALL sharpening situations or edge styles.
There is a difference between these two statements. Subtle, but different.
Stitchawl
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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The Edge Pro doesn't do convex edges.
You need to do the Mouse Pad, sandpaper thing or get a belt sander for that.
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I guess you could call it a two way street, the edge pro may be the highest quality hand powered sharpener on the market but the person using it will always be the deciding factor.
Yes... I know. I stated as much in my first post in this thread. That is why it isn't best for everything.
It IS best for beveled edges only.
Stitchawl
Individual skill will, as Knifenut says, will always be the deciding factor.
Some systems are easier to use than others. Again, that choice will vary from person to person. One might find the Sharpmaker the easiest while another might find some sort of clamp system easier.
Only by trying ALL the systems can one be sure which is THEIR personal favorite system, and favorite system for which knives. That involves expenditure of some big bucks. For those that don't want to spend the money...
...there are enough idiots like me who already have bought them all, and can tell you what WE like for each type of sharpening. It behooves you to remember that these are OUR personal preferences. Your mileage may vary.
Stitchawl
Some systems are easier to use than others. Again, that choice will vary from person to person. One might find the Sharpmaker the easiest while another might find some sort of clamp system easier.
Only by trying ALL the systems can one be sure which is THEIR personal favorite system, and favorite system for which knives. That involves expenditure of some big bucks. For those that don't want to spend the money...
...there are enough idiots like me who already have bought them all, and can tell you what WE like for each type of sharpening. It behooves you to remember that these are OUR personal preferences. Your mileage may vary.
Stitchawl
First of all, don't rule out the Sharpmaster. That might just be all you really need. What are you sharpening, and how often? It's a very good, easy to use sharpening system that won't bust your wallet. For someone only doing Kitchen knives I'd recommend this to them over buying an EdgePro.
As for EdgePro, the real difference between the Pro and the Apex is the base. I've used the Apex for years and have never regretted the choice. I haven't looked at the EdgePro site for quite some time, so I don't know what sort of bundles Ben is putting together these days but I can tell you what I use, and what I would buy if I were getting a new setup.
EdgePro Apex, 120, 220, 340, 600, 1000 grit stones, an assortment of polishing tapes. That would be basic. To that I'd add one extra 120 grit stone, 3-4 stone blanks (or more) and 'perhaps' some extra polishing tapes. With this rig you will be able to re-profile and sharpen to a perfect mirror finish any length blade using either single or double bevels. You will have the best possible beveled edges.
{Whoa!! I just went to the site! Lots of new toys! Maybe you'll want to add a tape blank too! Forget buying the extra tapes. When I bought mine we only got a few of each grit. Now I see he is shipping 15 of each. By then you'll be more comfortable with using them and can make your own from the DIY shop... On the other hand, at only $7 for a set, you might be lazy and buy them instead.
}These days I usually buy my polishing films at a local DIY shop but they aren't adhesive backed. Not a problem for me. I've mounted a course diamond stone on one of the blanks, put some broken Sharpmaker stones on blanks, as well as made up some leather strops on other blanks.
Have fun!
Stitchawl
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2009
- Messages
- 506
Wait couldn't you possible create convex bevels with an edge pro, sure they will be a little awkware since the angle but if you take a blank, find the softest thing you can find that will fit in a edge pro blank get some sandpaper glue our find a way to get it to stick to the mouse pad then find some spray on adhesive glue it to the blank, set the edge pro to as low as it will go (as close to 0 degrees as possible) and sand away !
First of all, don't rule out the Sharpmaster. That might just be all you really need. What are you sharpening, and how often? It's a very good, easy to use sharpening system that won't bust your wallet. For someone only doing Kitchen knives I'd recommend this to them over buying an EdgePro.
As for EdgePro, the real difference between the Pro and the Apex is the base. I've used the Apex for years and have never regretted the choice. I haven't looked at the EdgePro site for quite some time, so I don't know what sort of bundles Ben is putting together these days but I can tell you what I use, and what I would buy if I were getting a new setup.
EdgePro Apex, 120, 220, 340, 600, 1000 grit stones, an assortment of polishing tapes. That would be basic. To that I'd add one extra 120 grit stone, 3-4 stone blanks (or more) and 'perhaps' some extra polishing tapes. With this rig you will be able to re-profile and sharpen to a perfect mirror finish any length blade using either single or double bevels. You will have the best possible beveled edges.
{Whoa!! I just went to the site! Lots of new toys! Maybe you'll want to add a tape blank too! Forget buying the extra tapes. When I bought mine we only got a few of each grit. Now I see he is shipping 15 of each. By then you'll be more comfortable with using them and can make your own from the DIY shop... On the other hand, at only $7 for a set, you might be lazy and buy them instead.
These days I usually buy my polishing films at a local DIY shop but they aren't adhesive backed. Not a problem for me. I've mounted a course diamond stone on one of the blanks, put some broken Sharpmaker stones on blanks, as well as made up some leather strops on other blanks.
Have fun!
Stitchawl
Stichawl, appreciate the reply, sorry I meant the Edge Pro apex, and not the pro...mostly would be sharpening kitchen knives, and of course my blades...I have some tantos, combo edges, etc.
we also meant the "sharpmaker"
I'm pretty much a newbie to the whole blades/sharpening deal, I bought the lansky angle system, and didn't like it...I could get a nice edge on the knife however keeping/getting the rods straight every time seemed to be a PITA.
the pros I see with the apex vs the sharpmaker are basically any angle....and can reprofile edges very easily, as well working on say a chip/troubled spot more easily.
sharpmaker seems to be pretty easy to use, more compact, but has fixed angles.
is that about right?
edit:
guess I should look at the Edge Apex 3 then
Chad
Last edited:
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Someone made the comment about the belt sander and paper wheel putting a convex edge on your knife. Not completely true.
A belt sander will convex an edge if you remove the platten and work the give the belt will offer. Working against the platten, it won't convex your edge.
As for the paper wheels, again, if you hold a straight line across the face of the wheels, it won't convex. Roll the edge as you sharpen, and yes, you can get a convex edge. Its all in how well you know how to use the equipment.
The vid Rx put up shows exactly how the paper wheels will give you a shaving edge in seconds.
The best sharpening system for me? The paper wheels.
A belt sander will convex an edge if you remove the platten and work the give the belt will offer. Working against the platten, it won't convex your edge.
As for the paper wheels, again, if you hold a straight line across the face of the wheels, it won't convex. Roll the edge as you sharpen, and yes, you can get a convex edge. Its all in how well you know how to use the equipment.
The vid Rx put up shows exactly how the paper wheels will give you a shaving edge in seconds.
The best sharpening system for me? The paper wheels.
If you have a bunch of different knives, spend the extra bucks and go for the EdgePro.
we also meant the "sharpmaker"
Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my brain the most..
That's it in a nutshell. Both the Lansky and GATCO do produce good edges. Not as perfect as EdgePro, but certainly as sharp. But they are a PITA to use sometimes!
Move to the head of the class! That's it exactly. There are other pluses and minuses to both, but you've given the most important ones their credit.
Stitchawl
I made some special 'recurve sharpeners' for my EdgePro by taking broken pieces of some Sharpmaker rods and mounting them on a stone blank. If I ever get around to it, I'm going to do have a lapidary shop cut down an old Black Hard Arkansas stone to fit the EdgePro blank too. I was lucky enough to meet someone in another forum who made me a handful of aluminum stone blanks, so I've been experimenting over the years with different things mounted on them... Sharpmaker rods, both flat side and corner up, leathers for stropping, etc.
But I see that Ben Dale is now selling 1/2" wide stones (only had the 1" stones when I bought my unit.) These should work pretty well on most gentle recurves. Might not fit the Emerson LaGriff or karambits, but would work well on less steep curves.
Stitchawl
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- Sep 4, 2007
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On the recommendation of another member, I picked up a couple of DMT Diafolds. They work great and you can easy take them along into the field.
The Apex is unbeatable for use at home. My son has one and he put together some diamond stones, saves on time and the wear on the water-stones.
The Apex is unbeatable for use at home. My son has one and he put together some diamond stones, saves on time and the wear on the water-stones.
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- Jan 4, 1999
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Terrible. I can't imagine why anybody would want a convex edge, however, so it wouldn't affect my opinion.