Edge Pro Apex vs. Chinese clones.

Spey said:
@foreblader

I think, that if you think you have found a comparative "clone" of the Apex Professional, it would be my assumption that you have not really spent time investigating what the Pro version has to offer (specifically length of the draw stroke, the design that allows the stroke to extend beyond the stone resulting in more even stone wear and less potential flattening required, the size and construction, potential for shears attachment, overall build quality, etc.).

I "think"" I know the clone you are referencing (suction cup base ...?), and if so will tell you (from first hand experience) that it pales in comparison to the Pro version that Ben produces.

Regards,
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Thank you, Spey.
Actually I did do quite a bit of research and wondered whether scissors attachment from Apex Pro would work with its Chinese clone.
I have found quite a few interesting sharpeners made by Russians: individuals and companies alike. All of them are superior to anything I have seen at the US market, with exception of the Wicked Edge.
 
I don't see the wicked Edge's superiority over the others.
I've also seen sharpeners similar and superior to EP (and wicked Edge by proxy)
 
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HurlockVanguard said:
I don't see the wicked Edge's superiority over the others.
I've also seen sharpeners similar and superior to EP (and wicked Edge by proxy)
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Mine just arrived. I haven't used it yet so I cant says it is better or not. The one reason I am trying the wicked edge is when I owned the edge pro apex I couldn't hold the knife still and at the same angle on the ledge when switching from one hand to the next. I felt semi retarded while trying to use that system. I am hoping that the edge pro will make it so I can get a good clean edge and have equal sized bevels on both sides.
 
I hope that Ben can track down and put all the clones out of business, the way many major knife companies try to do. You'll never get a clone recommendation from me, nor advice on how to use it.
 
sodak said:
I hope that Ben can track down and put all the clones out of business, the way many major knife companies try to do. You'll never get a clone recommendation from me, nor advice on how to use it.
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Again: you have never downloaded, listened, watched, bought anything that wasn't copyrighted?
Very hard to believe, though possible. Theoretically.
 
That's a poor excuse for not supporting the inventor of a system in a market that is this small and specialized. The "he did it too so why can't I do it?!?!" argument is used by children all the time, but it's not ethically valid. It's childish. If you don't place any worth on the inventions of others, or you don't believe in intellectual property, or you think everything should be owned by everyone as a community, then those are ideas I won't argue with. But if you're just standing on the "he did it too!" excuse, that's just lazy and doing what you want because you're being cheap.

Man up and buy the EdgePro if you think it's a good system.

Brian.
 
forblader said:
Again: you have never downloaded, listened, watched, bought anything that wasn't copyrighted?
Very hard to believe, though possible. Theoretically.
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I don't knowingly engage in theft. Period. No, I don't download music or any of that nonsense unless I pay for it. This whole "it should be free" BS seems to be the younger generation's mindset, not mine.
 
I don't know, I don't think the stones that come with the generic version are bad, do you believe these results are less than good?

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bodog said:
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That's some fancy sharpening for a cheap rig.

Not sure how I feel about the cloning since the patent expired...
If the real system is better, it should still be the one that wins and that the market prefers.
Perhaps the genuine Edge Pro can develop a less expensive option that still uses the fancy stones.

Either way that's a nice edge.
 
I call it a generic version rather than a clone just like I call equate a generic tylenol. When you pull out a generic cotton swab you still call it a q-tip. When you buy generic tissues you call them kleenex. A lot of people ask for a coke regardless if it's dr. Thunder. Those all had patents at one time, now there are various knock offs and clones of all of them. They're not called knock offs or clones, they're just called generic. That's what happens when a patent expires. As long as there are no other laws being broken like trademark infringement, it's fine. I don't see many people crying foul when a poor mother goes to the grocery store and buys generic fruit loops for her kids. They look the same, they taste almost as good, and they're a lot cheaper.

Several big name knife manufacturers drill a hole into the blade for thumb deployment. That's a knock off of a Spyderco patent that expired. No one talks poorly about Strider or buck knife companies for doing it. They can't be round or they'd infringe on Spyderco's trademark, that's why you see them as oval or whatever other shape besides round. They are still copying Spyderco's expired patent.

By the way, Spyderco's patent included any and all holes cut into a blade used for deployment. When that ran out they simply trademarked the circle which is why they're on pretty much all of their knives. That didn't stop other manufacturers from using a hole for deployment and there aren't people screaming about IP rights when another company knocks of Spyderco's idea.
 
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And those edges aren't solely because of the stones. I strop them up to 14k grit. The heavy lifting is done with the stones, though. I've had two sets. One of them I had to glue to the backing. One of them had a hairline crack that didn't affect functionality. They're not perfect but they're cheap and as you can see they get the job done well.
 
Oh, and I don't ever use the suction cup. Never saw a reason to. A little bit of adjusting the rear leg and some kind of angle meter your base will be at zero degrees. Use the same angle meter to make sure the angles are how you want them. I don't really use the premade angle markings on the rod holder though they are fairly accurate so I, yeah, I guess I do use them as a rough estimate and then bring out my free angle meter app on my phone. Works well.

And I've never flattened one of those stones. I don't soak them in water. If anything I use a nylon brush and brush on some honing oil and go to work. No need to soak them. Maybe that's why these people think so poorly of them?
 
I would recommend to at least check occasionally if your stones need to be flattened. Especially if you sharpen a lot.
By the way: do you know whether Apex scissors sharpener attachment fits into this generic single cup suction system you own?
 
The replacement stones are cheap enough to not worry about it. 12 bucks. I guess if I were to get really, really into it then I'd flatten them and pull out micrometers to ensure they're all at the same height when I first got them, but really they're pretty good right out of the box and if they start getting dished then I can buy a new set. One set lasted me a solid year sharpening a couple knives per week. I didn't really need to replace them but I figured for 12 bucks I might as well. The second set is better than the first so it was a win win. IMO there's no reason to buy these super expensive stones unless you're absolutely OCD about the finish.

I don't know if the scissors sharpener fits, I'm interested to know too
 
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