Edge Pro Apex or KME System

[chopsaki]

Last night I actually found a knife that didn't like my KME. A Mantis Snaggletooth. With it's funky shape, weird shaped spine, and monster belly on such a short (2") blade, it just did not want to clamp in a position conducive to sharpening. I have not yet pulled out the Edge Pro, but guessing it would still take a lot of strange positioning to even get close to a decent edge.

Because it's so weird, I decided to just stick with a Sharpmaker and not spend too much time on it. Every system will have its own limitations and individual tweaks/tricks. But the blades that spike the weird-o-meter will always need "special" attention.

Anyway, the KME is still the one I go-to first 95% of the time. Still think it's the best bang for buck in both quality and functionality.

This post needs a pic to get everyone's weird-o-meter going. [emoji23]

Can you maybe use a piece of chamois cloth on that shark fin piece and get he jaws to get a good purchase? Also how thick is the handle? Could you clamp high on the handle? The blade is short so the angle might not be that weird at the tip.

 

[Strauss95]

I have and use an Edge Pro Apex regularly, but don't have experience with the KME. I have used other clamp systems in the past (lansky, DMT) and found those worked pretty well. But I got better results on the Edge Pro once I got the hang of using it. It should be noted that I have the full Chosera set along with a few diamond plates for heavy removal.

In the end I think both systems are great, can't go wrong with either. One advantage I can think of for the edge pro is sharpening larger knives. If you have lots of big blades, or plan on doing your kitchen knives often, I'd look towards the edge pro over the KME. Being able to move the knife along the table easily really helps with keeping a nice even bevel. But in the end, either one will get the job done.

 

[ncrockclimb]

Just wondering, is the clamping on the kme more reliable than say on a dmt or a lansky? I sometimes feel like it is not easy to clamp reliable on both. The kme is kind of hard to get over here, but I have been watching it for some time.

I have found the clamp on my KME to be reliable.

I spent a TON of time researching this same decision (KME vs EP Apex). I have folders 3" - 4", and fixed blades mostly smaller than 5". I got the KME with the diamond hones, and could not be happier.

It is pretty easy to get below the stated 17dps edge angle. I have sharpened a ZT 560 at 12dps, and think I could have gone lower.

When it comes to service, Ron is quite simply one of the very best customer service providers I have found in any industry. He will literally spend an hour with you on the phone talking you through the sharpening process. He not only wants to see his customers happy, but seems to enjoy the process of educating people about KME and how to get a incredible edge.

To be fair, I have no first hand knowledge about EP. However, I have heard good a lot of good things about them too.


Short version = I got the KME and would absolutely buy it again.

 

[flphotog]

Well after giving this a lot of thought I've decided to go with the KME system, it should be here by the end of the week, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[Zzyzx]

One advantage I can think of for the edge pro is sharpening larger knives. If you have lots of big blades, or plan on doing your kitchen knives often, I'd look towards the edge pro over the KME.

I'm in the same boat as other trying to decide between these two systems. I currently have the Edge Pro and was going to just upgrade to the Shapton Stones for just over $200.00 total. However, I have become increasingly interested in the KME system since it's able to stabilize the blade a little easier during sharpening.

The only real thing holding me back from the KME would be not being able to sharpen kitchen knives easily. Can someone confirm if this is an issue with this system? I have up to an 8" chefs knife that I would need to sharpen.

 

[Bladegunner]

I am a beginning sharpener and tried both of these systems, I wasn't impressed with the clamp on the KME system longer knifes would move. The edge pro I didn't like the table you hold the knifes on most of the knifes I was sharpening have different bevels on the blade and they were hard to hold at the same angle run the stone without the knife moving and then try to repeat it with the off hand was really tough. I didn't like having to tape up the knife and table on the edge pro to keep it from scratching up the blade. I think with lots of practice they would both be great systems and I got decent results from both. I honestly didn't put the time in with either system to master it and your results may be different. I think the KME is a little easier to use for a beginner but I preferred the water stones of the edge pro over the KME diamond stones.

 

[TravisH]

The only real thing holding me back from the KME would be not being able to sharpen kitchen knives easily. Can someone confirm if this is an issue with this system? I have up to an 8" chefs knife that I would need to sharpen.

For large kitchen knives, just get a cross-stick sharpener like the Lansky 4-rod Diamond/Ceramic Turn Box ($25) or Lansky Master's Edge Sharpener ($32) or Spyderco Sharpmaker ($60). They are excellent for keeping your kitchen knives sharp and quick-n-easy to setup, use, put away.

I keep my Sharpmaker in the kitchen and a few quick strokes on the medium rods are all that's needed for my Chef's and Santokus.

 

[Zzyzx]

Thanks for the tip TravisH!