CRK's and the Edge Pro

MostMenAreRuthless

MostMenAreRuthless

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Sep 27, 2011
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Folks,

I have been muddling my way through sharpening with various methods including a DMT Diafold, strops, homemade sandpaper dealios, and even the bottom of a ceramic mug. While decently sharp, my results have been less than stellar. So, I decided today to up my sharpening game and I submitted an order with Oldawan for an Edge Pro Apex 4! I have watched many reviews, comparisons, and such as well as read older threads of the same. I am quite excited to get one of my own to try out!

So, will you please chime in with your personal experiences with your CRK's and the Edge Pro? Anything you want to share--good or bad, as well as tips/tricks, etc. Oh, and you could make the thread extra fluffy if you included PICS of the edges you have been able to achieve with it!
 
Yes! recently posted my experience. I have a small 21 insingo.

I have a Edge Pro and use only for reprofileing, which is not often as the Sharpmaker takes care of the rest. I usually use it on a new knife, since I like a 20 deg (+ -) angle. It does a great job, works well.* I like it on my Seb. I assume you've used it before and have attained a level of skill.(don't make your Seb the first :))

* I found the thumbstud gets in the way of finishing the whole blade(leaves 1/4" un-done), which is ok for some but not me. I removed the stud, did my grinding, then replaced the stud, with NO ill effect.:cool:

Good luck
 
gull wing said:
Yes! recently posted my experience. I have a small 21 insingo.

I have a Edge Pro and use only for reprofileing, which is not often as the Sharpmaker takes care of the rest. I usually use it on a new knife, since I like a 20 deg (+ -) angle. It does a great job, works well.* I like it on my Seb. I assume you've used it before and have attained a level of skill.(don't make your Seb the first :))

* I found the thumbstud gets in the way of finishing the whole blade(leaves 1/4" un-done), which is ok for some but not me. I removed the stud, did my grinding, then replaced the stud, with NO ill effect.:cool:

Good luck
Click to expand...

The small 21 Insingo is exactly the knife I want to sharpen! I am sad to hear that the thumb lug gets in the way--seems like quite a flaw with the system considering that almost every knife I own has a thumb lug.

I do not have any experience with the Edge Pro--in fact, it is being delivered today, but now I am unsure if I should just return it and stick to sandpaper/stones to sharpen.

I do not want to remove the lug, but out of curiosity--how did you remove it and reinstall it?
 
The Edge Pro is a very fine tool, after you get some practice with some less costly knives, it's pretty easy. View the many vids that the Edge Pro owner did, before you start.

As to keep or return, that is for you to decide. If you have the ability to hand sharpen, good for you.
Reprofileing accurately is a great skill by hand, I don't have such skill.

Remove the stud- I turned a brass rod to fit the hole in the blade, and press or hammer it out. Then a hardwood piece with a hole drilled to cradle the crown, then press or hammer the stud home. (basic outline, details left out)
 
gull wing said:
The Edge Pro is a very fine tool, after you get some practice with some less costly knives, it's pretty easy. View the many vids that the Edge Pro owner did, before you start.

As to keep or return, that is for you to decide. If you have the ability to hand sharpen, good for you.
Reprofileing accurately is a great skill by hand, I don't have such skill.

Remove the stud- I turned a brass rod to fit the hole in the blade, and press or hammer it out. Then a hardwood piece with a hole drilled to cradle the crown, then press or hammer the stud home. (basic outline, details left out)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I am sure it is a fine tool, but it kills me that it cannot accurately/completely sharpen knives with a thumb lug. It will be returned today. I will likely go for a Wicked Edge as there are no limitations with it--the additional cost is worth it.
 
The solution to the thumb stud problem is to use a riser block, as described in the EP videos.
 
Banksy--thanks brother. I found it, watched it, and also found the description of how to do it under the tab "sharpening tips." Seems like a simple enough solution. I am going to keep it and give it a shot. I will post some results here in the near future.
 
I have a Wicked Edge and love it to no end. I'm still learning so I'm only sharpening my Benchmade's, haven't had the courage to sharpen any of my Sebenza's...:eek:

But that system is SICK, the results are phenomenal. After sharpening my first knife, I went to check the sharpness with my finger, and said to myself "this isn't that sharp" then about 15 seconds later I noticed blood everywhere, yes my blood. Like a big Dork I cut my finger in a few places.

I'm telling you, the WE is OOC.
 
I love my Wicked Edge. I have 2 Large Sebenzas and the WE gives them a mirror polish and they are razor sharp every time. Just make sure you check the angle you sharpen with when switching stones. Some are a little thicker and will throw off the sharpening angle. Good luck!
 
Mr. Mike: Thanks for the input.

Mr. Hile: Thanks for the input.

I received the Edge Pro last night and through discussions with Edge Pro, it was revealed that I do not need the riser block. After tinkering for awhile and learning the unit, I was able to learn how to use it. The thumb lug does not get in the way, nor does in prohibit sharpening the entire length of the edge. The difficult part about sharpening the Seb is the lack of flat space on the blade--holding it steady is a task.

I started by sharpening an Opinel # 6 and all went well. I moved on to a Piranha Fingerling and got a good edge, but not perfect. I couldn't hold my horses any longer and had to throw my small 21 Insingo on there and see what I could do with it. . . Pictures and details forthcoming. . .
 
That is pretty much the same results I have gotten on an Umnumzaan and 25. I didn't comment on your original post because I do not own a small so didn't know if the lugs would get in the way or not. Like you pointed out the hard part is keeping the flat part of the blade flat on the table. Another technique is to sharpie the edge after you got the proper angle, lay the entire blade on the table and adjust the Edge Pro angle to match the blade. I have done it that way but I feel that I get better results keeping the flat part of the blade on the table but then again this is with larger blades. Glad it is working for you, the Edge Pro is a nice system.
 
Keep in my mind, this is only the 3rd blade I have done on the EP so the results are not AMAZING.
I went through the following progression: 220 Stone to remove the slight convex, 400 Stone, 600 Stone, 1000 Stone, 2000 Polishing tape, 4000 Polishing tape.
I only had about 15-20 minutes to do it, so admittedly it was a bit of a rushed job. I know: gasp, argh, sigh--a rushed job on a Seb! Well, I was too excited to wait til I had more experience and more time.

It will shave arm hair and slice phonebook paper, but it is definitely not ready to tree-top hair or split atoms.

So, without further ado:



 
Nice knife MMR, and you are a fast study;), unlike myself.
I quickly went out and checked out the technique described on the VID. I still strike the T Stud, it's the low angle I use. A steeper angle will be ok. :D It doesn't matter now, because I won't need to reprofile the Seb again.

.......but the NEXT Seb :thumbup:
 
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