Edge Pro Buying Advice?

Mike Fitz

Mike Fitz

Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Messages
1,223
So, I'm seriously thinking about ordering the Apex pro 2 kit today. Before I take the plunge, is there any advice from those with the edge pro system? Any extras I should pick up with it? Any reason to get the standard instead of the pro (other than price)?
 
Get an extra 120 grit cause that'll wear out the quickest, and a set of diamond stones.
some extra polishing tapes are nice too..

I have the Apex kit, and love it for the + 4" blades..
 
Thanks Martin! Would you buy the stones mounted, or unmounted? When they start wearing out do you just replace the stone on the existing mount?
 
You can pick up aluminum bar stock at Home Depot cheap, 1/8 X 1 X 48, easily cut it to 6 inch length and mount new stones to them. Spray adhesive works great. Check out Congress Tools for replacement stones. The Ruby 80 and 120 are very good for re-profile/bevel work. The Edge pro will give you some very nice, uniform edges with practice. Sharpen your neighbors kitchen knives before moving on to your collection:D I have the Apex and find it works just fine.
 
Thanks for the advice Gents, I ordered the pro 2 kit with a case and some extra stones and tapes. Should be the last sharpener I have to buy!
 
Good for you! You won't be disappointed! I got the Apex years ago and always wish that I had bought the Pro. Nothing wrong with the Apex, just sharpener envy.

Let us know what you think when you get it, and make sure you watch the video!
 
Is this system really that much better than the sharpmaker?

I do wish my sharpmaker had some kind of system to help me keep the blade straight as I sharpen. Maybe I just need more practice but I struggle sometimes to keep the blade perfectly straight.
 
bkrosco said:
Is this system really that much better than the sharpmaker?

I do wish my sharpmaker had some kind of system to help me keep the blade straight as I sharpen. Maybe I just need more practice but I struggle sometimes to keep the blade perfectly straight.
Click to expand...

Yeah it is really that much better. You have a large selection of stones. You can re-profile a knife. You can have a relatively even edge the length of the blade.

I don't see any reason to get the Pro unless you are doing scissors. Sure it's a better mount but the Apex will be all you will ever need to keep your knives in great shape.
 
I got my pro model last Friday, and although I haven't had a chance to use it yet, I'm really impressed with this thing! Talk about a well made and over engineered chunk of sharpening goodness! I went to pick up the box and almost dropped it- wasn't expecting it to be so heavy. Everything in the case is nicely labeled and all the extra stones, etc. are wrapped, the sharpener itself is very well made and looks like it will last two lifetimes. The DVD is very informational and answered all my questions. I'm sure the standard model is well made too, but the pro is over-the-top quality wise and completely adjustable not to mention rock solid. I need to go dull some knives and try this baby out!
 
bkrosco said:
Is this system really that much better than the sharpmaker?

I do wish my sharpmaker had some kind of system to help me keep the blade straight as I sharpen. Maybe I just need more practice but I struggle sometimes to keep the blade perfectly straight.
Click to expand...

I'll take a different tack than scubie did. I think that both the EP and SM are excellent tools, but they are really made for different tasks. Sure, you can do all of your sharpening on the EP, but what I've found works for me is to use the Edge Pro to reprofile knives or any other heavy-duty work, and to use the SharpMaker for edge maintenance. It's much easier for me to leave the SM set up somewhere and swing by to make a few passes when I feel my knife needs a bit of attention than to get the Edge Pro set up. On the other hand, the reprofiling I've done on the EP would have taken forever on the SM.

So, it's not that one is better than the other, just that they have different niches to fill. :)
 
FOA, I think we are looking it at it the same way. I see the SM more for touch ups like I might use a ceramic steel. Disclosure: I have never used a SM. I do own an EP but do most of my sharpening free hand now.
 
How hard is it to determine the angle you need on the EP?

I watched the video on the website and he uses the marker quite extensively to figure out the correct angle. It seemed like quite a process especially since after finding the angle he had to adjust again as he had it resting on the bevel.

I'm just trying to make sure it can be simplified enough to where it makes sense for a dummy like me to use it.

Do you suggest getting it from the edgepro website or elsewhere?
 
It's very easy. Once you get used to the edgepro (doesn't take long), you can "dial in" the angle in 2 or 3 tries, a minute's worth of work at the most.

Mike, we want a complete report!!! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top