Edge pro apex vs wicked edge vs sharpmaker

A

american21

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Sep 29, 2013
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I have a sharpmaker with the diamond stones course fine and ultrafine I'm looking for a faster method as I hate trying to keep my 10 knives sharp mostly spyderco and benchmade. The edge pro apex 4 comes with a lot for 255. The wicked edge is about the same price at 275 for the basic version with 2 stones. What do you guys recommend? After a month or two weeks it usually takes me half an hour each to touch all my knifes up till they shave and cut paper very easily
 
I would do a search. There is a lot written on the pros and cons of each system.
 
I have an EPA with Chosera stones (ChefKnivesToGo package) and I love it.
However, and I'm guessing the same can be said about the Wicked Edge, it's not exactly a snap to set up and break down.
It's kinda a project. I usually do one weekend day a month and touch up any blades that need it.

But neither one is going to be as easy as the SharpMaker. But both will yield better results.
 
american21 said:
I have a sharpmaker with the diamond stones course fine and ultrafine I'm looking for a faster method as I hate trying to keep my 10 knives sharp mostly spyderco and benchmade. The edge pro apex 4 comes with a lot for 255. The wicked edge is about the same price at 275 for the basic version with 2 stones. What do you guys recommend? After a month or two weeks it usually takes me half an hour each to touch all my knifes up till they shave and cut paper very easily
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Hold up, it takes half an hour per blade for 10 knives every 2-4 weeks? You must use your knives a BUNCH lol.

You have a few options:

1. Get a belt sander (like the harbor freight 1x30), and carefully and lightly re-profile to ~15 dps. Then it is super easy to touch all your knives up in about 20 seconds/knife at the 20 dps setting. I have ppl send me knives all the time for this, it is a simple and quick option.

2. Get the CBN rods for the sharpmaker... apparently, from what I have read, they are faster than the diamond stones even.

3. If you definitely want one of the three systems above, even though I feel like a traitor for saying this, I would have to recommend the EPA because of the amount of system for the $. And it is a good system. But I do love my WEPS that's for SURE.
 
The advantage of the Sharpmaker is speed and ease of use. It is a simple system that the average guy can set up and sharpen a blade pretty quick. Where it falls off is in full blown re profiling. It is not set up to "change" a bevel to whatever you desire. For that the Edge Pro or Wicked Edge are really best. Pick one for you, I cannot. I only have the W/E, and I love it. What is awesome is that I took my angle cube and checked the real angle of my Sharpmaker. It is about 22*. For knives that I'm just using and carrying, that I'm not trying to squeeze that last little bit of edge out of at 15* dps, I can set them at 22* on my W/E, then use them to heck. When they need a quick touch up, viola, the Sharpmaker perfectly matches. I can keep M390 phone book push cutting sharp that way, and I don't have to go to my W/E near as often.

So the simple answer is: both. :-)
 
The WE and EP aren't exactly known for their speed. You want fast, get a paper wheel setup or a belt setup. I have both (along with the SM and WE). I have a HF 1x30. Most of the time I use a 150 grit belt then move over to the paper wheels. From completely messed up to razor sharp and mirror polished in under 120 seconds.
 
I feel like the wicked edge is probably a lot better but the stones in the base kit only go up to 600. I've heard my ultra fines on my sharp maker are 1700 grit. And the fine stones 1000. Can I go from 600 on the wicked edge to 1000 on the sharp maker then the ultra fine?
 
american21 said:
I feel like the wicked edge is probably a lot better but the stones in the base kit only go up to 600. I've heard my ultra fines on my sharp maker are 1700 grit. And the fine stones 1000. Can I go from 600 on the wicked edge to 1000 on the sharp maker then the ultra fine?
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i don't have any direct experience w/ this transition, but I would presume not as the scratches from the diamonds are much deeper.... not absolutely positive, but are the 1k sharpmaker stones ceramic? A better transition would be from the 1k grit diamonds to the 1k grit ceramics probably.
 
Start with some crappy knives first, go slow, dont use alot of pressure and enjoy the results!:thumbup:
 
If I have a sharp knife from the sharaker do I re profile it with 100 to 1000 then strop with the wicked? Sharpen at 40 like I always done?
 
american21 said:
If I have a sharp knife from the sharaker do I re profile it with 100 to 1000 then strop with the wicked? Sharpen at 40 like I always done?
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Yep! There is a ton of stuff you can do, all depends on what you want to accomplish. This video section of the Wicked Edge site may be helpful.
 
I own both the wicked edge pro pack 1 and an edgepro with shapton glass stones. The wicked edge is a lot quicker for me and I prefer the wicked edge. My apex will get a much more refined edge but I currently have it up for sale on another forum and am keeping the wicked edge. Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions about the two feel free to ask me man
 
The one thing all of these sharpening systems have in common is, they're all basically a jig to achieve a desired angle.
Different ways to achieve the same end result basicly.
 
Last edited:
razor-edge-knives said:
Hold up, it takes half an hour per blade for 10 knives every 2-4 weeks? You must use your knives a BUNCH lol.

You have a few options:

1. Get a belt sander (like the harbor freight 1x30), and carefully and lightly re-profile to ~15 dps. Then it is super easy to touch all your knives up in about 20 seconds/knife at the 20 dps setting. I have ppl send me knives all the time for this, it is a simple and quick option.

2. Get the CBN rods for the sharpmaker... apparently, from what I have read, they are faster than the diamond stones even.

3. If you definitely want one of the three systems above, even though I feel like a traitor for saying this, I would have to recommend the EPA because of the amount of system for the $. And it is a good system. But I do love my WEPS that's for SURE.
Click to expand...

How do you ensure the right angle using a belt sander? I'd imagine after a while you could eyeball it, but starting out I would be worried about destroying and edge.
 
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