Choosing my first sharpening system Edge Pro help

J

Jamesbern

Joined
Apr 21, 2011
Messages
227
So I know have an OK collection of knives and realized I needed a way to sharpen them. I am a complete and uter newbie. As some of my knives are $200+ i don't want to ruin these so I'm looking into a guided system.

After watching the EdgePro Apex videos i'm pretty much sold. It looks like a quality unit that would fit my needs. I just want to be able to keep the knives in usable condition and sharp. Regrind the edge only if I really needed to. What I will be sharpening:

Bowies
Fighters
Folders up to 5" blade
Recurve bladed ZT 350
Utility
Tanto
Kukri (if it can)

My main issue is that I don't know what grit stones most knives are finished with.

If I get the top EdgePro Apex kit for $245 it will come with 120, 220, 320, 600, 1000 Grit Water stones, 2000 & 3000 Grit Polish tapes, 2- Polish tape mounting blanks, 8" 1200 Grit Ceramic Hone, DVD, Manual, Cloth, & Water bottle, & Carrying case.

I should pick up a couple 1/2" stones for recurve blades I was told. I was thinking a 600 and 1000 grit.

I've also ordered a JRE Strop Bat 2.0 to finish blades or use if it just needs a quick polish.


I'm TOTALLY new to this but this seems like the way to go. Should this setup allow me to sharpen most knives that I get and own? I don't mind spending the money upfront for a quality setup to sharpen the knives. Most of the use these knives will see is while camping and around the house. I'll probably practice sharpening my kitchen knives as well.
 
Last edited:
I would also suggest getting the stone flattening kit with your purchase. You can't go wrong with the Edge Pro Apex system. Once you get past the learning curve, (which isn't all that hard to figure out,) you'll come to appreciate the system and what it has to offer.

I enjoy mine when I use it.

You can finish with whatever stone you like to be honest, depending on what you're going to use the knife for. i.e. 320 , 600, 1000, all the way up to the tapes. I sharpen a lot of knives just using the 320 stone.

The 220 and 120 wear real fast so if you plan on doing some heavy re-profiling consider a couple extra stones in those grits.
I also have a complete set of the 1/2" stones but haven't used them yet.

Enjoy your purchase.
 
Last edited:
Personally, I'd offer a slightly different suggestion. If you've decided on the EP (good call, it's a good system) then I would probably recommend the Apex 3 kit that has the full set of stones, but does away with the tapes. The thousand-grit stone already offers a superb edge, and with the money you save there you can also purchase a DMT or Atoma diamond plate. The additional plate will serve double duty as your profiling stone (to replace the awful stock 120), and as the flattening device to keep your waterstones level. If you later decide you want an even finer edge, I would suggest some of the aftermarket stones from Chosera and Shapton, instead of the tapes. They're a bit more expensive, but they have a FAR greater lifespan, and they perform significantly better.
 
Cool! Thanks guys. I think i'll go with the #3 and get a 600 grit 1/2" stone for the recurve. The recurve I have is a very slight recurve so i'm sure the 320 would be fine in 1" before going to the 1/2" 600 grit. I'm assuming I can also use the strop bat instead of the tapes to polish the edges. When I get some more $$ i'll pick up the lflattening kit next.
 
Thanks guys I figured for the extra $20 i'll just go with the Apex 4. I also ordered 1/2" 320 and 600 grit stones. I can't wait to try and sharpen my first blade with it. I think i'll stick to kitchen knives for the first few to get a feel for it.
 
On the convex edges you can sharpen with the strop bat. I've taken (on a challenge) a modern bayonet from flat, visible flat, edge to hair shaving on just a strop bat. Took a while, but I was at a show anyhow.

The apex purely rocks for a guided system. I use mine on "american" scandi grinds and to clean up sabers when I do them. I dont' use it much on convex edges unless I'm doing a bit of reprofiling and need a known angle to start from.

I've done plenty of kitchen knives and pocket knives on the apex and it's fast and solid.
 
I can't wait to check it out. It shipped this morning and I should have it next Tuesday. Looks like after work i'll be checking it out and trying to sharpen some kitchen knives to get the hang of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top