Did you buy a Wicked Edge base. Or make your own.

Steel130

Steel130

Joined
Sep 17, 2010
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I believe I am finally going to take the plunge on the Wicked Edge sharpener. I was curious if you guys bought a base for it. Or just made your own?
 
Made my own (plans available for free by another member of this forum, changeofseasons I believe) which can be found here ... It lets me get the knife up close and personal in my workspace how I'm comfortable sharpening.

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I bought a cheap cutting board from target thats just about the exact dimensions as the W.E. brand bases. It was MUCH cheaper at around $15 and works perfectly. I just used the template included, drilled/countersunk a couple screw holes and that's it. Personally, I don't see an advantage to buying the W.E. bases.
 
the WEPS comes w/ a paperstone base which should be fine for what you are needing to do... I just liked my mod due to the amt of knives i sharpen.
 
I raided the local granite fabricators dumpster and got a nice piece of granite. I cut it to size using a diamond wheel on my grinder and drilled the holes myself. It worked out great and it didn't cost me anything.
 
I got mine in the ProPack 1, which included the Paperstone base. I'd imagine the granite looks nicer, but as far as function goes, the Paperstone doesn't given an inch to anything. Heavy enough to stay put like it's supposed to, not so heavy as to be tough to move around. That being said, it DOES come with a template for mounting it to whatever the heck you want. If I hadn't bought the ProPack, I likely would have just grabbed a chunk of wood and used that instead.
 
I got a pro pack 1 with a granite base. It was such a great deal I didn't mind paying an extra $20-$30.
 
Thanks guys. I was intending to buy the basic pack. Good to know I can just get a piece of heavy wood, or something like that.
 
I use a thick bamboo chopping board with foam tape on the bottom to stop it sliding around, its nicer than a granite base imo because you can sharpen on your lap comfortably.
 
I used an old 12"x12"x1" rock maple cutting board. Take time to line up the holes with the template before drilling - the mounting can be temperamental if you don't get the holes very close to position.

Mine works great and isn't as heavy as granite, so it is a bit more portable.

TedP
 
I used a John Boos 12x 18x 1.5" cutting board and them put some short grippy rubber feet under it. Works great. Cost me $30.
 
I looked at the Wicked edge base but used a piece of Trex 5/4 X 6 decking with a piece of drawer liner anti slip material, heavy enough to give a steady base and no cost.
 
Be careful of getting too close to your work. I can reprofile 1 knife, or sharpen 3-4 before I start to notice a difference in my breathing. Turns out, it's very easy to inhale the dust that grinds off the blade. Some people put magnets on the base, and a suggestion by WE is to dab the stones on a soapy sponge lightly before you sharpen.
 
gooeytek said:
Be careful of getting too close to your work. I can reprofile 1 knife, or sharpen 3-4 before I start to notice a difference in my breathing. Turns out, it's very easy to inhale the dust that grinds off the blade. Some people put magnets on the base, and a suggestion by WE is to dab the stones on a soapy sponge lightly before you sharpen.
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Interesting point, gooey. I hadn't thought about that.

Also, be extra careful around the blade in the WEPS clamp. It is very tempting to reach over the blade to switch stones, reach for a rag, etc. All it takes is a little error in depth perception and... OUCH! :eek: Whenever I am not actively putting stone on steel, I close the blade (if it is a folder) or cover the blade with a piece of plastic moulding (fixed blades).

TedP
 
Don't make the same mistakes I made at first- a piece of pine is way too light and it slid around. I then raided a remodel store and got a piece of cultured marble for free, similar to carpenter Matt. Also, be VERY careful drilling the holes, I had to redo mine because you have to get it just right!
 
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