Buy a Wicked Edge sharpener?

Richard338

Richard338

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May 3, 2005
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I have read some old threads about guided sharpening systems and the WE in particular.
I'm tempted, but keep hesitating on buying it.
Opinions are appreciated.
My main reason to buy it would be to put the final bevel on a wide variety of blades.
I like the idea of a geometrically perfect polished final bevel.
Right now I do the best I can with a slack belt and then move to a DMT.
On the other hand, I might get a 9" disc grinder instead...
 
I like guided systems too, but only if you can get some extra coarse diamond stones for it. Not sure what is offered for the WE.
I use a Hapstone system, which allows pretty much any type of stone. I cut a extra coarse dmt in half lengthwise and use it to set the edge before going up the grits in regular stones.
 
I've been looking at the Wicked Edge as well. Seams like the top of the line, but comes with a steep price. The KME unit looks promising as well. At less than half the price.
 
Thanks for the input.
It looks like WE sells an "ultra coarse" stone with 50 and 80 grit diamond.
I haven't looked closely at KME yet.
 
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I haven’t used a wicked edge myself. I have an edge pro and love it. I do the initial edge by hand on a diamond stone, then use the supplied stones.
 
I've heard good things about the WE - I've got the Tormek system and like it quite well, BUT - once I setup reverse on my 2X72 grinder, that's by far the best way I've found for sharpening.
 
I have a Wicked Edge and I love it. I never liked systems that dont clamp the knife in, such as Edge Pro, because it allows me to tilt the knife accidentally during the sharpening. There is no wiggle in the WE, and I go from blunt edge to mirror in maybe 10 minutes. I have done probably 20 knives from blunt and the stones show no sign of wear so far. I recommend the system that goes from 80-1600 and the strops as well.

If I had one complaint, its not easy to do long knives. The farther out from the clamp you go, the angle seems to change a little, and on thin chef knives the knife bends. They sell a support to prevent this, but its crap. I have to put my hand on the back side of the knife to support it while I use the stone on the other side.
 
a lansky with diamond stones is an economical alternative. the others mentioned do the the same thing with more smoothness and better build quality. all of them simply hold a stone at a consistent angle. i say diamond stones because the normal ones dish out, the diamond do not. BKT, i have always had the same complaint, the closer to the tip the angle gets more shallow.
 
I'm using a WE with various attachments(partly from other manufacturers(tormek) partly selfmade (3D printed) and am pretty confident that I can put a mirror on everything not concave. Love the system and if you have a lot of blades coming through it's well worth the money. The ability to put a perfect bevel on initially is just so damn nice.
 
I had the gen 3 2017 WE, id like to point out it’s 30lbs. Remember going into it, angle is a reference, if you push the system beond the angle it can do, you’ll end up sharpening the clamp, which i did and walked away from the WE.

Moved to water stones and got the basics down, still a long ways to go.

Just picked up the kme, i enjoy the fact its very portable, light, around the size of a large pistol case. I like the one hand and it flips over, keeping the angle the same. Im right handed and trying to sharpen with my left side is difficult. This isnt an issue with the kme, with the WE, it will be a learning curve to get used to. Full diamonds from 50 to 1600, lapping films and kangaroo strop cost me half what the WE cost. In less than 24 hours, i had my first mirror polish. Im sure if i went back to the WE, my results would be different after the last couple months learning with water stones but the left hand learning curve would still be there.

Good luck, its addictive.
 
I own the Wicked Edge. I also own the Spyderco Sharpmaker, Lansky, Edge Pro (sold it), and various stones. Knife making is only a hobby for me. I started out as cheap as possible and went through the process like I do with everything. If you are going to sharpen a lot of knives (ones you make and ones for your friends), I recommend going straight to the WE. I wish I had. This is only my opinion. I own stones from 50/80 up through 1200/1600 ceramic. I do not use the strops but I use the lapping film from 3M. I have 2 blank stones I tape/attach the film to. Some lapping film has adhesive backing. I get mirrored edges with this system. It's become an obsession. It blows customers and friends away. I log the position of the knives in the sharpener so I can repeat the angle when sharpening is needed. I also strop the blades after the ceramics sometimes on my 2x72 with a leather belt and green rouge at 30% speed (around 900fpm). This gives a great mirror.
To be honest, it is a lot of money for how often I sharpen knives but the results are amazing. Like I said, it's my hobby and it pays for itself. That's how I justify the expense to my wife.
 
I'm curious why more don't use Japanese style water stones? I know there is a learning curve, but it isn't that difficult, and the edge you get is pretty fantastic.
My primary stones are the Shapton pro 1000 and 5000. You can go much higher for polish, but the edges I can get are scary.
And my friend who prides himself on his Lansky says the last knife I sent him is the sharpest knife he's ever had. ?
 
I don't use water stones because I assume they are like any other stone in that they're softer than vanadium or tungsten carbides. Diamond plates sharpen everything, whether it's 1084 or 10V.
 
Do you grind with diamond belts? ;)
Just saying, they are supposed to be a bit softer. Fine polished edge and all.
 
Thanks for all the input guys.
I ordered the system and will update with my impressions.
One thing that pushed me to get it was sending a knife to Josh from Razor Edge. It came back insanely sharp. I consider myself good at sharpening and people ask me all the time, but this was another level. Hopefully that wasn't just his skill level and I can figure it out.
 
Brock Cutlery said:
Do you grind with diamond belts? ;)
Just saying, they are supposed to be a bit softer. Fine polished edge and all.
Click to expand...

I wish there were diamond belts :D

No, I grind pre-heat treat. But those carbides are why it's so hard to get the kind of finish on something like 4V or M4 that you can on 52100 or W2. Because you're not cutting them as much as cutting around them. I think part of the reason some people (end customers) don't like super steel is because they don't understand that and can't get them as sharp as they can be using natural or simulated natural stones.

Wanna do an experiment? I'll send you an M4 blade to sharpen with your water stones, you send me one of 52100 or whatever and I'll sharpen it with diamond plates and lapping compound. Doesn't have to be a finished knife, just a heat treated blade.
 
I have used the Japanese stones and they work really well, until the become dished out. Yes they can be dressed, but that is time consuming and still difficult to get right. Plus you have to have another stone to dress the one you want to use. It's diamond stones for me as they don't change that much. They to wear some but never to the extent they cause you to mismanage the blade.
 
Brock Cutlery said:
I'm curious why more don't use Japanese style water stones? I know there is a learning curve, but it isn't that difficult, and the edge you get is pretty fantastic.
My primary stones are the Shapton pro 1000 and 5000. You can go much higher for polish, but the edges I can get are scary.
And my friend who prides himself on his Lansky says the last knife I sent him is the sharpest knife he's ever had. ?
Click to expand...
I've been reading a lot about these stones. I purchased the 8000 Shapton just to try it on my chefs knives. Like anything it will take practice. I've seen edges that guys do going up to I think 30,000 Shaptons. I honestly do not know how they maintain the right angle.
 
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