Edge Pro Apex 4

Flatsman007

Flatsman007

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Apr 13, 2010
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I am looking for any input from anyone. So here's where I am. I have used Lansky for years and switched to Smiths and I am not very happy with the clamp on either one. I want to go to the Edge Pro Apex 4. I have seen so many people on the forum using them and need to know the pros and cons of it. Please help a brother out. PS I will use it for everything from 2" to 10" blades.
 
No cons partner. There are only pros. The best way to enjoy it is to have become proficient sharpening by hand... but it you jump over that you're still OK. Ben is a great guy as well. You won't regret the purchase.
 
I'm not a big fan of it, but that's not to say it won't give a great edge. In fact, out of all the "systems", it'll probably give the best edge out of them. There's no skill behind it, if you can manage to move your arm back and forth, you can get a crazy sharp edge with a small learning curve. The edge pro is a soulless IMO. I guess more and more I become a sharpening purist though, that and I like to compete with the EP/jig guys freehand. It's the fastest way to a pretty/sharp edge though, and I could train my dogs to sharpen on them and get good results.
 
It's the only system I use and once you get used to using it, you'll put hair popping edges on your knives. The trick is, go slow and make sure your blade edges are marked with a Sharpie to see your contact area and work each stone fully before moving to the next. Also, I keep my stones soaking in water all the time, it seems to make them work better IMHO.:thumbup:
 
i certainly commend 230 on his freehand prowess which produces great mirror bevels. but all people can't run a 4 minute mile so i think his denigration of an excellent product is undeserved.--dennis after rereading 230's statement i retract my statement that he is downing a good product , however i stand fast that human abilities vary greatly & anyone that feels a good aid helps them in making new bevels & great edges is certainly on the right track with the edgepro.--dennis
 
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I think the EdgePro can help the novice understand what he should be trying to do to the blade edge when he moves on to freehand stones. Using a Sharpie and a 10x loupe you can see what happens at the edge and shoulder as you change the angle of the stone. The loupe will also show that you're not really 100% at the edge even though you think you should be. So keep going be patient. good to learn this before you start on stones.
roland
 
What I'm wondering is if it can handle the exotic steels such as S90V, M390, ZDP-189, M4, CTS-XHP etc.

My collection is starting to consist of most of these metals and I want to make sure it can handle them before I even consider it.
 
I have not tried any of those steels on my EdgePro, but i see no reason why the stones should not be able to abraid them. It will take longer and stones will wear faster, esp. the coarse ones.
An alternative is the SpyderCo. "rod system" (can't recall the product's proper name) but only if you buy the diamond rods.
DMT stones will certainly work and it's easy to create a jig to hold these at a preset vertical angle and then use the same technique as you would for the SpyderCo. set up.
roland
 
Undertow82 said:
What I'm wondering is if it can handle the exotic steels such as S90V, M390, ZDP-189, M4, CTS-XHP etc.

My collection is starting to consist of most of these metals and I want to make sure it can handle them before I even consider it.
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I have reprofiled CPM-M4 and ZDP-189 pretty easily on the Edge Pro. The rest of the metals you listed, I have no experience with but Ankerson and some of the other guys have reprofiled them with the edge pro.
 
edge pros can handle any steels i've seen so far including zdp & m390. remember that freehanding is to be commended but the problem to be solved is getting a sharp edge.--dennis
 
Undertow82 said:
What I'm wondering is if it can handle the exotic steels such as S90V, M390, ZDP-189, M4, CTS-XHP etc.

My collection is starting to consist of most of these metals and I want to make sure it can handle them before I even consider it.
Click to expand...

I have reprofiled and sharpened all of those you listed and the Edge Pro will handle them easy.
 
There are some blade shapes and sizes that are difficult to sharpen with the Edge Pro. Curved spines are especially troubling.

Overall it is a great system though.
 
If by 'curved spines' you mean blades with a recurve, the Edge Pro does well with them, even with the standard stones. I've sharpened my 710D2 without a lot of trouble. I am about to order a set of 1/2" stones, which has been recommended to me by a friend for those recurves, which should make things even easier (Ben Dale recommends these...) in 220, 320 and 600 grit.

I've always carried knives and know freehand, still have my old medium Arkansas in the kitchen, but the EP Apex just makes it easy by following the established tricks (Sharpie, etc.) to get a consistent edge every time.

Whether you're an old sharpening pro or newbie, it's worth the investment.
 
I'd also add that if the Edge Pro can do a good job with D2 it would handle the rest without problems.
 
Undertow82 said:
What I'm wondering is if it can handle the exotic steels such as S90V, M390, ZDP-189, M4, CTS-XHP etc.

My collection is starting to consist of most of these metals and I want to make sure it can handle them before I even consider it.
Click to expand...

I've done all except m390 and cts without any problem at all. I could barely tell a difference between s30 and s90.
 
DennisStrickland said:
i certainly commend 230 on his freehand prowess which produces great mirror bevels. but all people can't run a 4 minute mile so i think his denigration of an excellent product is undeserved.--dennis after rereading 230's statement i retract my statement that he is downing a good product , however i stand fast that human abilities vary greatly & anyone that feels a good aid helps them in making new bevels & great edges is certainly on the right track with the edgepro.--dennis
Click to expand...

I'm glad you re read my post. The EP is NOT a bad system, in fact I think it's a great system for anyone who wants mirrored/even bevels and can't sharpen freehand. It's great in that you can take someone off the street and within a few hours have them sharpening like a pro. Not many systems offer those results. The whole thing is just not for me, but I enjoy taking my time and sharpening.
 
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