Edge Pro Apex or something else?

heavyfoldersarebest

heavyfoldersarebest

Joined
Nov 8, 2012
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I have been doing it freehand using whetstones for sometime now and I can only get decent results and I feel it takes too damn long.

Edge Pro Apex or something else? I have been looking at Worksharp but that looks like it can only do one angle. I don't want a Wicked Edge because I have big fixed blades to sharpen as well.

I've seen videos of people getting sharp edges I could never achieve freehand. I really like the Edge Pro, but just wondering if there's anything else that works similarly and costs less.
 
I've never used the Edge Pro or Worksharp, but I'm a big fan of the Wicked Edge. When you say that you have big fixed blades, how big are they? I don't have any issues sharpening chef's knives and Chinese cleavers with the Wicked Edge. If the blade is very long, you can simply move the blade and keep sharpening.
 
I think the Edge Pro will do a good job for you. I'd recommend buying the kit with 120, 220, 400, and 600 or 1000. There's a bit of a learning curve, but not too much. I'm temped to mention the paper wheels, but I find many edges to be too far gone for them; They aren't great for reprofiling or damage repair.

The cheaper clamping systems (Gatco, Lansky, etc.) can achieve a good edge, but are limited to a few angles and to smaller knives.

Good sharpening,
Dave
 
Take a look at the KME system. It's like a lansky on steroids. It has angles from 17-30 degrees. Plus now there are the Chorsica stones available along with a bunch of different stones as options. It's very versatile and it's about $100 less than the Edge Pro. Mine is arriving tomorrow but there are lots of vids on youtube. One guy put a large fixed blade in and was able to reach top to bottom.
 
I've used the Edge-Pro for over 10 years with perfect satisfaction. I had a Wicked Edge. it was a good system, but I like the Edge-Pro better.

Spend a few bucks extra and get the kit with the Shaptons, angle cube, etc. ( the factory stones will work just fine, but the Shaptons are faster.)

The EP will sharpen just about any size knife. And give you a perfectly even edge, side to side, heel to toe and straight razor sharp.
 
It depends on what you want to do with your knife.

I found that 600 grit was plenty for most every cutting task except slicing toilet paper.
 
heavyfoldersarebest said:
Would anyone recommend the polishing tapes? Or is it quite unnecessary?
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The polishing tapes work well. But there is another learning curve there. Buy plenty, because you'll cut up a couple of dozen learning how to use them. I prefer finer grit stones, and a few loaded strops.

But you can put on a mirror edge with the tapes, once you "get the touch.":thumbup:
 
I'd say to buy the polishing tapes and they are unnecessary. IOW, they're not needed, but are fun to experiment with. Ben Dover is right that you have to be careful with them. I can honestly say I have never cut one, but can see that it's easy to do. You can put a mirror edge on with them, which is fun occasionally.

Good sharpening,
Dave
 
tokerblue said:
I've never used the Edge Pro or Worksharp, but I'm a big fan of the Wicked Edge. When you say that you have big fixed blades, how big are they? I don't have any issues sharpening chef's knives and Chinese cleavers with the Wicked Edge. If the blade is very long, you can simply move the blade and keep sharpening.
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x2. I'm very pleased with mine and can now get, well, wicked edges on all of my knives. :D
 
I think it depends on what type of knives you are sharpening.

I love my edge pro, but most of my EDC knives don't have a good flat spot on the blade to get a solid & repeatable position on the table. I have to build up a little bump on the front edge of the table to keep the knife from rocking. If this is the type of knife you sharpen the most, then a Wicked Edge may be a better choice.

However, if you sharpen a lot of knives that don't have this problem, such as kitchen knives, the EP is a great tool that will give you great results.

The #1 thing to getting good results from any sharpening system is for the stones to contact the bevel at the same angle every time. If you can't do this, you won't get the best results. Of course there is a lot more to it than this, but without this your results won't be the best. With some knives, it's difficult to do this with the EP.

Allen
 
Does anyone use different stones on their Edge Pro, not the ones included but something like Chosera or DMT stones? Also are the 1/2in stones best for recurves?
 
I use the 1/2 inch stones only for recurves. I slightly round the edges of the 1/2 inchers with a diamond plate to fit the recurves better.

Normally, I use shapton in preference to the stones that come with the EP. (The OEM stones work quite well, but they're slower) Glass Stones are best, but most of mine are "Pros" and I can't seem to wear them out to justify replacing with glass.:D I do have a 500 and I000 glass, and plan to add a 220 in the near future.

Diamonds are a joy to use. I currently use a mix of 2X6 DMT plates on EP mounts and 1X6 Atomas. The Atomas are better plates, but quite pricey. As my DMTs wear they will eventually all be replaced with Atomas.
 
You mentioned the Work Sharp only being able to do one angle. You might want to look at the Ken Onion model coming out in October.
Check their website. www.worksharp.com
Taken from their website:
The sharpening guide is fully adjustable in 1° increments from 15° to 30° so you can sharpen any knife to the angle you desire to best meet your needs.
 
rpttrsn said:
You mentioned the Work Sharp only being able to do one angle. You might want to look at the Ken Onion model coming out in October.
Check their website. www.worksharp.com
Taken from their website:
The sharpening guide is fully adjustable in 1° increments from 15° to 30° so you can sharpen any knife to the angle you desire to best meet your needs.
Click to expand...

That's true. But as I understand it, the WS will only do convex sharpening.
 
xICEMANx said:
Take a look at the KME system. It's like a lansky on steroids. It has angles from 17-30 degrees. Plus now there are the Chorsica stones available along with a bunch of different stones as options. It's very versatile and it's about $100 less than the Edge Pro. Mine is arriving tomorrow but there are lots of vids on youtube. One guy put a large fixed blade in and was able to reach top to bottom.
Click to expand...

I'm very interested in that system. Let me know how you like it.
Did you get the diamond stones or some others.
Thanks
 
wilejoe said:
I'm very interested in that system. Let me know how you like it.
Did you get the diamond stones or some others.
Thanks
Click to expand...

So far I love it. I got the basic ceramic kit but just ordered a translucent Arkansas and a kangaroo strop with 4 micron diamond emulsion developed for kMe by Ken Schwartz. They have new Diamond stones coming out soon that are better than the DMT stones.
 
xICEMANx said:
So far I love it. I got the basic ceramic kit but just ordered a translucent Arkansas and a kangaroo strop with 4 micron diamond emulsion developed for kMe by Ken Schwartz. They have new Diamond stones coming out soon that are better than the DMT stones.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the fellow that supplies the CBN and diamond to Chef Knives To Go? I have nano cloth and Kangaroo strops from CKTG, and I believe he is the supplier of those as well.
 
Anyone happen to have the Chefsknivestogo Edge Pro Essential set with the Shapton stones? I like the price and what it comes with, not too smart in the realm of sharpening but would anyone recommend this?
 
Ben Dover said:
That's true. But as I understand it, the WS will only do convex sharpening.
Click to expand...
I never found a downside to that unless you're completely obsessed with mirror polished edges and don't like looking at your own distorted reflection on the edge.
 
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