Bit the bullet on an Edge Pro

David Schott

David Schott

Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
3,041
After some long thought, I decided to bite the bullet and order an Edge Pro apex sharpening system with 120, 220, 320, 800 , diamond paper and 1200 ceramic hone.

Although I have gotten much better at belt sharpening, I sometimes have to fight to get the edge bevels looking perfect and sometimes eat a bit more blade than I want.

On my own knives, I enjoy having hair-whittling edges but the time and effort involved is a bit too much for me to put that kind of absurd edge on the knives I sell, so I usually settle on simple hair-shaving sharpness out of the shop.

Does anyone else have an Edge Pro? I ordered an extra 120 as it sounds like that is the stone most likely to wear out fast, especially since I assume most arent actually setting the initial edge on a knife rather than cleaning it up....
 
I have it and it'll probably be perfect for you. I would get rid of mine expect for the fact that I make knives and I want their edges PERFECT, and that's what it does. Belt sharpening is much faster, but when I'm selling or giving away a knife I made, I use the edge pro.
 
Get a piece of plate glass and some 220 grit wet/dry to keep your waterstones flat; especially the 120 ones. A diamond plate works even better (I use DMT's D8C), but $48 plate is only a little better than a $10 (or less) slab of plate glass and a few bucks worth of wet/dry.

Nosmo, MeDoctor, Quiet_OneD, and cbwx34 have a bunch of posts in the toolshed's archives on how to optimize your Apex's performance. Ben and Sierra at edgeproinc.com are super helpful, too.
 
Thanks guys! I have a nice granite plate that I can use to flatten the stones and already have seen some of the mods posted that I plan to use to set the initial bevel by retrofitting a file or stone.

While I agree belt sharpening is WAY faster, I also want to be able to offer my customers the exact angle of edge bevel they want so that they can resharpen themselves. With a belt edge, I assume lots have to spend some time reprofiling the bevel to match the sharpener they use, especially since most belt edges are done on a slack belt.
 
David Schott said:
Does anyone else have an Edge Pro? I ordered an extra 120 as it sounds like that is the stone most likely to wear out fast, especially since I assume most arent actually setting the initial edge on a knife rather than cleaning it up....
Click to expand...


Careful with new 120 stones... break in a little on an old knife and keep it really wet to avoid random scratches.



Call or email the guys at edge pro for help if needed. They are really good at supporting their product.


The designer suggests using the coarse only on new or beat edges, then the medium, then straight to the 2000 grit from the medium. He suggests using the coarse stone a few degrees more obtuse (Slightly larger edge angle). That way you can watch the medium stones work as the grind moves down the edge to prevent over sharpening.



Personally I go from coarse to medium to fine, and then the aluminum block with 2000 grit tape.

This makes a freaking wicked edge.


One of the coolest things to do is go to an edge, then increase the angle a few degrees starting with the medium or fine stone and finish it out.

This device makes a PERFECT double bevel that adds a lot to the look and edge retention.

Use a sharpie on the edge to see where the bevel sits...
 
Oh... also....


When sharpening, dont use much pressure at all on the stone, and work the coarse and medium stones BIDIRECTIONALLY.

Working this way is MUCH faster with the edgepro. The Edgepro guys will tell you that you can move the stone both directions with all grits, but I advise using the last stone and tape pulling from spine to edge.
 
Thansk for the suggestions.

RE: 120 grit stones causing scratches....is this due to grit in the slurry? What causes the random scratches. Since this will be used just prior to shipping, putting scratches in the blades will be VERY annoying. I was planning to cover the whole blade but the edge in painter's tape anyways, but I was just curious.
 
As the 120 grit stone breaks down, it and the steel you hogged can slide around and leave those scratches. Frequent rinsing (maybe even a bucket like one may use for dunking belt-sharpened knives - I just use the squeeze bottle that came with the Apex) is a workable solution.

I eventually moved from the 120 grit stone to a 250 grit 42C w/o base from EZ-Lap. It's slower than the 120 grit EP stone; coarser than the 220 grit EP stone; but stays flat and doesn't cause mystery scratches (you'll know it's your fault when they happen!).
 
No problem. Been there; done that; scratched them. Forgot to mention STR. :o He's a knifemaker who uses the EdgePro Apex, so he'd be able to offer some dos and don'ts for using it on newer-than-new knives.

Now go forth and sharpen!
 
Best sharpener out there. Great choice!!!
 
I've had an Edge Pro for several years and absolutely love it! Gives you a perfect edge every time. You'll love it.

To avoid scratching the blade get a roll of the blue painters tape and cover the blade with it. Leave just the edge protion un-taped.

-Mike-
 
i also had been looking at an edge pro,and was wondering, does it take some getting used to switching from one hand to the other when sharpening?, or does this even have to be done at all? am i completely off base? I have been using a lansky for years, but they definitely have their share of drawbacks. haven't quite gotten my 2x72 set up just yet and can see myself eating a few blades before i get good at it. please post a review, i would love to get more info on this product.
 
The hand-switching; aka the right/left shuffle; does take getting used to. So does going light. If you don't go light, you will not enjoy the edges past 320 grit. If you do go light, every finer grit is a new adventure in sharpness (and you can buy lapping film or use computer paper and abrasive powders and pastes and go finer than most comprehension). The main thing for getting both hands used to sharpening is to hold the stone arm lightly and loosely. White knuckling will always equal a knife that could've been much sharper.
 
David, I think that I hate my edge pro just as much as it hates me...I can't seem to keep the thing in one place and I have trouble with almost every aspect of the system..:grumpy:.I hope that you have better luck and can give me some tips.....I need more patience...you've got plenty and will probably be OK with it..
 
The use of the sharpie I like a lot. I will seeif it helps me with the machine sharpening I do. Thanks for the tip!!! Frank
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top