ease of use between edge pro apex 4 and Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener?

S

steve.knight.792

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Dec 11, 2016
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Now I am not asking about the edge you get between the two but ease of use but the repeatability.
It seems to me the way both work is pretty much the same but for how the knife is held. Thats my main thing my hands are less then nimble and it is a little hard keeping the knife flat on the edge pro and worse when I have to switch sides and go left handed.
but I just sharpened my new griptillian (kind of a plain with the sheep hoof blade and the big hump for the thumb hole) but I got it sharp enough to slice a paper towel thats plenty sharp and maybe too sharp for day to day use. I like using waterstones as I have used them for 20 years and sharpened thousands of hand plane blades with them. I lost count how many stones I wore out.
so with the wicked edge I would end up with diamond and thats good and bad. no worry about changing the same of the stones by wear but hear diamond tends to leave deeper groves then a waterstone does.

What I am worried about is easy of use and repeatability. I only have a few knives to sharpen my regular griptillian and three kitchen knives a Japanese made Chinese cleaver and a couple of double bevel Japanese knives. I doubt I will have many more.
it takes a little work to get the edge pro setup and adding sometime to the blade so it does not get scratched up(learned that lesson the hard way)
So the edge pro takes a bit of time to get it setup so I don’t sharpen till I need .it what about wicked edge how fast is it to get to sharpening how repeatable is it?
one question I have is both seem to work the same way a stone that will pinion in all three axis. with the edge pro you move the knife so you keep the attack angle about the same if you don’t the angle changes a bit on the curve of knife. but the wicked seems it would have a bit different angle when you get to a rounded tip since the blade width changes.
 
steve.knight.792 said:
Now I am not asking about the edge you get between the two but ease of use but the repeatability.
It seems to me the way both work is pretty much the same but for how the knife is held. Thats my main thing my hands are less then nimble and it is a little hard keeping the knife flat on the edge pro and worse when I have to switch sides and go left handed.
but I just sharpened my new griptillian (kind of a plain with the sheep hoof blade and the big hump for the thumb hole) but I got it sharp enough to slice a paper towel thats plenty sharp and maybe too sharp for day to day use. I like using waterstones as I have used them for 20 years and sharpened thousands of hand plane blades with them. I lost count how many stones I wore out.
so with the wicked edge I would end up with diamond and thats good and bad. no worry about changing the same of the stones by wear but hear diamond tends to leave deeper groves then a waterstone does.

What I am worried about is easy of use and repeatability. I only have a few knives to sharpen my regular griptillian and three kitchen knives a Japanese made Chinese cleaver and a couple of double bevel Japanese knives. I doubt I will have many more.
it takes a little work to get the edge pro setup and adding sometime to the blade so it does not get scratched up(learned that lesson the hard way)
So the edge pro takes a bit of time to get it setup so I don’t sharpen till I need .it what about wicked edge how fast is it to get to sharpening how repeatable is it?
one question I have is both seem to work the same way a stone that will pinion in all three axis. with the edge pro you move the knife so you keep the attack angle about the same if you don’t the angle changes a bit on the curve of knife. but the wicked seems it would have a bit different angle when you get to a rounded tip since the blade width changes.
Click to expand...

I've used both... both have setup "needs". I don't think one is better or worse than the other... just different. Still have to tape the blade on the W.E., if you're worried about scratches... both are about the same repeatability wise (just make reference notes for either one)... etc.

As for your other point about moving the blade on the E.P. vs. the W.E being stationary (clamped).... you set the blade on the W.E. primarily based on the tip area. (See "Finding the Sweet Spot" and this page on "How the Angle Changes" for more info).

From your post... I'm not seeing any reason to change to the W.E.... it doesn't sound like you're having any real problems with the E.P.... maybe just a bit more practice needed? There's instructions on the forum about adding a magnet to the E.P., if you're having issues holding the blade. One thing that is often overlooked with the Edge Pro (or any sharpening for that matter), is you don't have to get it out, everytime a touchup is needed. That's what the ceramic rod is for. (I think in one of the videos, The EP owner mentions he sharpens about once a year... when the ceramic will no longer bring the edge back). Or use whatever method you like, (a strop for example). For only 4 knives... if you're getting them sharp with the EP... I'd stick with it.
 
What cbwx said! If you are getting knives sharp enough to slice a paper towel, I'd suggest just practicing for consistency. They have a small knife attachment that's helpful (to me), too.
 
thanks for the info thats what I was thinking too. as usual nothing is easy always. my biggest problem with the edge pro was finding the right angle. I had used the spiderco triangle angle sharper and it got my knives sharp though not outstanding but the edge did not last very long. I even had the super fine rods. so I was not steep enough and I was not sure if it was me once I worked out the angle over several sharpening sessions I was getting close. . my new knife I was able to set the angle right (lower then I had it before when I was pretty close) I was able to start at 400 and not long had the edge ready for the finer grits and got a great edge. Now I will test how long it last and if it is too sharp for general use. I got spoiled with my woodworking tools They were so sharp my Japanese tools were scare the crap out of your momma sharp. first time I achieved that gave me goose bumps and a very red arm from the shave test the thing shaved skin off with ease. but most knifes won't get the sharp won't have the oily feeling when you run your finger over the edge. I tried that once with a Japanese kitchen knife. it fell through a potato but I had to saw at a tomato or meat.
 
now that I have the angle life is easier. I love super sharp tools but there are downsides so now I have to see if the edge lasts long enough. I learned long ago how to run my finger over the edge so I can feel any bad spots. it really helps in getting the edge good over the whole knife. but different steels fill a bit different and I am not used to the new steels. I have sharpened thousands of 0-1 blades and hundreds of japanese blades but no s30v or m390 Now I know. will have a new hand forged knife tomorrow.
 
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