Chef Knives To Go, Chosera Stones, and Edge Pro. I need some Advice.

[Meast58]

I'm looking at getting an Edge Pro Apex. I have a few questions I wanted to ask before I pull the trigger.

1. How long will the stock stones last? I keep hearing people talk about them wearing out fast. What is a normal time scale? I won't be doing any extreme re-profiling or anything like that. I will mainly be sharpening knives that are already relatively sharp. My goal is to increase the quality of the edges that I obtain. How long will they last and how many knives can I expect to get out of the stock stones?

2. I have been looking around online for upgraded stones for the Apex; I'm specifically interested in the Chosera line of stones. Everywhere I look; Chosera Stones are extremely expensive. I stumbled upon Chef Knives To Go. The stones they offer are significantly less then anywhere else I've looked. Is there a catch? Why are they so much less?

3. My final question is, the way I'm planning on using the edge pro; is it worth the expense? Will I notice a life altering difference in edge quality? The only sharpening tools I own right now are DMT-XXF, DMT-F, and a leather strop. With that system I can achieve an edge that will shave hair. Will upgrading to an Apex make a huge difference?

I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. Thank-you in advance for any advice that is offered.

-Meast58

 

[abey67]

Chosera are god stones but I saved a little bit longer and went with the Shapton stones. They work better on harder steels. If you're using them for carbon steel blades, I would go with the Chosera. Since you're not going to be doing a lot of reprofiling, the stones should last quite a while, Shaptons lasting even longer.

 

[REK Knives]

Hope this helps:

1. The stock stones will last a while and are perfectly sufficient IMHO. But they will wear, mainly your lower grits. your 600+ stones should VERY rarely need replacing. Your question about how long they will last is hard to answer as that depends on a lot of variables. Worse case you replace a few, they are cheap and good.

2. Not sure... I would order them from Oldawan tools myself as Bob has better customer service.

3. Unless you are a master freehand sharpener like Jason B. then I would say yes, the EP will make a big difference.

 

[Meast58]

Thank-you. I am far from a master freehand sharpener. I appreciate the help. When you use a stone how long can you personally use it before replacement? I know that is a difficult question but I'm trying to gauge a some kind of a timeline. It doesn't need to be exact.

Thanks again.

 

[calc]

Can't comment on the tools themselves, but I've used Chef Knives to Go with positive results.

 

[Meast58]

Chosera are god stones but I saved a little bit longer and went with the Shapton stones. They work better on harder steels. If you're using them for carbon steel blades, I would go with the Chosera. Since you're not going to be doing a lot of reprofiling, the stones should last quite a while, Shaptons lasting even longer.

Thank-you.

 

[Meast58]

Are there any Edge Pro users out there? I'm interested in hearing your opinions also.

 

[REK Knives]

Thank-you. I am far from a master freehand sharpener. I appreciate the help. When you use a stone how long can you personally use it before replacement? I know that is a difficult question but I'm trying to gauge a some kind of a timeline. It doesn't need to be exact.

Thanks again.

It's been a long time since I've owned the Edge Pro but if I had to guess, I replaced the 120's about every 30 knives or so since that was what i used to reprofile. as you go up in grit the time extends. For reprofiling you may want to consider some type of diamond plate too. I am playing around right now w/ cutting up a Sigma Power 120 to work in my Wicked Edge paddles for heavy reprofiling.

Can't comment on the tools themselves, but I've used Chef Knives to Go with positive results.

I have heard the same however, there is some discrepancy about their customer service:

[video=youtube;DJkSIdmmCFo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJkSIdmmCFo[/video]

 

[Jason B.]

Mark, at chef knives to go has one of the largest selections of stones and I believe has expert stone cutter Ken Schwartz make up all the speciality EP stones. There is a large number stone junkies, like myself, that support CKTG which has allowed them to have very competitive pricing.

Shapton vs Chosera is a tough choice, I use both and really like both. If I had to pick it would probably be Shapton unless most of my sharpening was kitchen knives.

 

[calc]

I have heard the same however, there is some discrepancy about their customer service:

[video=youtube;DJkSIdmmCFo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJkSIdmmCFo[/video]

That's really disappointing to hear.

 

[Jason B.]

That's Cliff Stamp

 

[Meast58]

It's been a long time since I've owned the Edge Pro but if I had to guess, I replaced the 120's about every 30 knives or so since that was what i used to reprofile. as you go up in grit the time extends. For reprofiling you may want to consider some type of diamond plate too. I am playing around right now w/ cutting up a Sigma Power 120 to work in my Wicked Edge paddles for heavy reprofiling.

Thank-you, that is exactly what I was looking for. That is longer than I expected. When I heard people saying they wore out fast, I was a little scared. I took it as you could only get a hand full of sharpenings from it.

 

[Meast58]

Mark, at chef knives to go has one of the largest selections of stones and I believe has expert stone cutter Ken Schwartz make up all the speciality EP stones. There is a large number stone junkies, like myself, that support CKTG which has allowed them to have very competitive pricing.

Shapton vs Chosera is a tough choice, I use both and really like both. If I had to pick it would probably be Shapton unless most of my sharpening was kitchen knives.

They only show the Edge Pro stones from one angle. You can't get a look from the side, which made me think maybe they were thinner than regular EP stones.

 

[Sentinel641]

I have a set of Shapton stones for the Edge Pro coming in the mail, I'll let you know how they feel when they arrive Meast.

 

[Meast58]

I have a set of Shapton stones for the Edge Pro coming in the mail, I'll let you know how they feel when they arrive Meast.

I would really appreciate that!

 

[Meast58]

What are the best stone grits to get? I'm not overly concerned with having a perfectly polished edge, right now. What grits would I get the most bang for my buck? I don't care if I have to mix and match from different sets, its no problem.

 

[rutcrazed]

Hey Meast58, I do not post much as I am still learning. I have an Edge Pro Professional. I have a full line of their stones as well as a full line of Shapton Glass. I am starting to get used to the feel of the S.G. At first I did not like how they felt. They in fact do cut very, very well though. I am sure they seem to wear slower also.
I do not like the lower end grit stones of edge pros. I have bought the Nubatomba (sp) 150 and like it much better. This stone thing is sure addictive....

 

[Meast58]

There is a "custom set" for the EP on CKTG.

It contains the following:

Edge Pro Sharpening System
Black Cordura Carrying Case
Instructional Manual
Microfiber Cloth
Water Bottle
Drill Stop Collar
Platform Magnet
Quick Change Spring
Shapton Glass 500 Grit Stone
Shapton Glass 1,000 Grit Stone
Shapton Glass 4,000 Grit Stone

It's about the same cost as the Apex 4 kit. Which one do you guys think would be best? Would the missing grits be a drawback?

 

[Meast58]

Does anyone have any experience with the "ADAEE" stones? they're extremely cheap. As in 8 stones, grit 120-3000, for $20. Also, is that something I want to put on my knives? Is it one of those things that will give me cancer in like 5 years? haha.

 

[pjwoolw]

I don't think Ken cuts all the EP items for Mr. Richmond. So I'd make sure who cut what, where and when before purchasing. Ken's stuff is first rate. Go direct to Ken if you want to know for sure where your aftermarket EP stones are coming from so you get the best product available.

I have an Apex but I really haven't used it much. I will in the future but its really for experimentation. Your biggest enemy with the EP is using to much downward pressure. Easy to do. Gravity and the weight of the arm and stone are more than enough to get good results.