buying a sharpenng system

snow and steel

snow and steel

Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
552
I'm so confused!

SO I'm considering buying some sort of sharpening system. I've been reading about the spyderco sharpmaker, the edge pro apex, and the wicked edge. The wicked edge looks great - but also very very expensive.

I've never been able to use a freehand stone - I've tried and tried and tried and I just can't seem to get it, and I'm not sure why. I'm hoping to find the time here soon to go visit my friend "richardJ" who I will beg and pelad to show me to sharpen, but in the meantime I gues I need some sort fo system any idiot can use. The sharpmaker looks alomst like a freehand stone just turned on its side - not sure If I'm misunderstanding that one or not. the edge ori looks good, though I'm not usre it will work on everythng [issues with thumbstuds? will it scratch blades in its clamp? work large and small stuff?].

I'm sur there are some other options I've missed too, but I thought perhaps the guys here could guide me to an easy system to use. Also, any insight you could offer as to how and why a system would owrk better for me would be appreciated.

I would sharpenig everything from small Swiss army knives, thumb stud pocket knives, to KA-BAR type/size fixed blades, to potentially large kukri/machete size blade [alothough rarely].

Thanks in advance!
 
you need to come up here and spend a few hours. i'll teach you how to sharpen on the paper wheels. i had a member come down from marion and he brought his edge pro. he is sold on the wheels after trying them out for himself. in the time you get the ep set up, you can have a few knives shaving sharp and without spending a bunch of money.
 
I also am sharpening challenged. I have had great luck with the Spyderco Sharpmaker and would highly recommend one to anyone looking for something easy to use.
 
It depends on what you want. If a fast sharp edge is your objective, a paper wheel system is the goods. If you want to have the satisfaction that some get from using a stone, keep practicing. It's a good skill to have, especially in the field. I had two or three Sharpmakers. I sold the most modern one when I got my paper wheels set up. I keep another around to keep my old style box cutters sharp - some times it's more handy. I haven't used the other popular systems, but I have a good friend (retired butcher) who likes his Edge Pro......., but he enjoys the fiddling around to set it up.
 
I would recommend the GATCO system. It is similar in operation to the other rod guided systems. It is a bit better priced.
 
There's a good argument for buying an Edge Pro Apex or Wicked Edge. You can get great results right away and won't outgrow it- you will learn new techniques and approaches along the way. I have those (and a box full of systems that I no longer use). Save money and start with what you will eventually get!

Good sharpening,
Dave
 
Bernoulli said:
It depends on what you want. If a fast sharp edge is your objective, a paper wheel system is the goods. If you want to have the satisfaction that some get from using a stone, keep practicing. It's a good skill to have, especially in the field. I had two or three Sharpmakers. I sold the most modern one when I got my paper wheels set up. I keep another around to keep my old style box cutters sharp - some times it's more handy. I haven't used the other popular systems, but I have a good friend (retired butcher) who likes his Edge Pro......., but he enjoys the fiddling around to set it up.
Click to expand...

I love being able to walk into my garage, turning on the grinder and being finished in less than a minute.
 
SharpMaker is a great piece, it ain't a "sharpening system" per say. Wicked Edge, yes a system. Richard and his "Wheels", that's a great offer if you are within traveling distance.
I would go if geography allowed.
 
I'm also not that great with freehand stones, though I'm improving, and I love my Sharpmaker. It won't do an instant job if your edge grind doesn't match the preset angle but the course stones do a decent job re-profiling.

That said, a friend at work offered to give me a bench grinder with a paper wheel he found in his garage and I can't wait to try it out. Richard, I'm sure I'll be giving you a call when I get it! ;)
 
you will need more than 1 wheel :D. go to woodcraft and pick up a new set. if you have a lot of long fixed blades get a 10" x 1 1/4" wheel from mike. they have to be ordered through him.
 
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