Edge Pro for a guy with limited feeling in hands?

C

Creeper

Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
220
I've always sharpened knives freehand, but as I get older I'm loosing the feeling in my hands. Issues with spine injuries, smoking for 35 years... all conspiring to destroy my ability to feel the blade against the stone.

So... after reading many threads (many... many threads) I've come to the conclusion that I need to buy a sharpening system.
The Edge Pro Apex seems to be the system of choice for most users willing to spend a few bucks for something nice, so I ordered one tonight from Bronk's... he's just "up the road" from me.

I guess my question is... what can I reasonably expect from this system, and, considering my condition, is "feel" a critical element to its use?

If this works out, great... if not, a "slightly used" Edge Pro Apex will be up for sale soon. ;)

Thanks for any input,
C
 
You might try signing up for the Edge Pro passaround. I think you can still sign up. I beleive its a lotto type so you may have to put up some money. Not sure how the lotto's work.
 
If your hands can feel to grip and if you are able to judge how much force/pressure you are applying thru the stones to the blade then yes you can do it.

You use both hands and they swap duties when you turn the knife over to sharpen the reverse.

I found this challenging as my left hand is usually just along for the ride since I am right hand dominant. However, after a while (and this is were your vast warehouse of patience comes into play) you get good and even fast at using both hands.

The strength of grip comes into play when I'm holding the knife steady on the knife platform up against the spine stop. If you don't hang onto the knife firmly then the knife can wiggle around while it is being sharpened. If it wiggles then your edge bevel will be caca.

When your hands and arms start to tremble and lockup at the elbows you walk away.

My EdgePro has freed me from the anxiety of owning dull knives. However, once free of this fear you are enabled (imagine floodgates opening and knives pouring forth) to own tons of knives because you can keep them in tip top shape. Now would be a good time to give over your credit card(s) to your lovely and understanding wife.

All the best,

oregon
 
oregon said:
The strength of grip comes into play when I'm holding the knife steady on the knife platform up against the spine stop. If you don't hang onto the knife firmly then the knife can wiggle around while it is being sharpened. If it wiggles then your edge bevel will be caca.

When your hands and arms start to tremble and lockup at the elbows you walk away.

All the best,

oregon
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to consider the ramifications oregon.

For me, it's not so much a matter of grip, or any lack of ambidextrous coordination as it is the lack of actual tactile feel of blade on stone.
To put it another way, I can tell little or no pressure and I can tell firm pressure... it's the part in between the two extremes that I'm not so sure about any more.
When freehand sharpening, I make a few strokes then stop, look at and feel the blade to see where I'm at. It's not that it doesn't work out in the end... it just takes for ever.

It's interesting that you'd mention holding the knife steady. Without any experience using the Edge Pro, I have only what I've read to go on, but there seems to be some disagreement as to how much pressure is required.
Some say a firm grip on the knife is needed, while others indicate a minimal grip sufficient to hold the knife steady is all that's required.

I guess I'll find out soon enough what a grip adequate to avoid wiggling and blade "edge bevel caca" is. ;)

gbaker said:
You might try signing up for the Edge Pro passaround. I think you can still sign up. I believe its a lotto type so you may have to put up some money. Not sure how the lotto's work.
Click to expand...

Too late gbaker... already placed the order. The idea of sharing tools with people who's level of care and consideration is an unknown value gives me the willies anyway. :eek: I use tools for a living, so sharing tools doesn't come easy.
But it would be a good idea for someone who wants to be absolutely certain that they can use the Edge Pro successfully before buying.

Thanks again guys,
C
 
Hand-feeling is good to have, but not needed. You can also hear when a knife is getting sharp and, with use of a magnifying glass (or jeweler's loupe or pocket microscope), see when it's sharp.

Do N O T taste for sharpness. Otherwise, you'll hand hunting or cooking knives back to your friends and say "ith better than a rayther itth tho tharp!"
 
A quick update...

Got the Edge Pro Apex yesterday. Went to the safe and pulled out an old BM Osborne 940 first production that I had wankered the blade on while on a camping trip.

Anyway, long story short... in about 30 minutes I had turned a truly ugly edge into a beautiful, clean, straight edge again.
Nothing fancy, not a shaver but a nice "working edge"... and a damn site better looking than it's been in a long time.

The plan is to work my way thru the least expensive and/or most hammered knives... lots of practice that way, and finish with the more expensive and finer edges in the collection.
Still on the learning curve for stone/knife manipulation, but it's pretty straight forward. The tool seems to reward those who are have the self-control to move slowly and methodically.

This may be the best "knife investment" I've made in a looooong time. ;)

That's it,
C
 
Outstanding! Thank you kindly for the encouraging update.

Do you get the metal slurry all over the place like I do?

I usually keep small towels under the works and spray off the stones and aim the dripping end onto the towels.

I wash my hands good afterward to avoid metal getting rubbed into my eyes.

Do you use painters tape, the blue stuff, on the blade face to keep the metal slurry from scratching the surface? When I first started with the EdgePro I scratched the dickens out of a couple of butcher knives.

Keep up the good work.

Lose the fear of dull knives.

All the best,

oregon
 
I have one of these and you can get a nice working edge very quickly without much practice. But to get shaving sharp will take you a bit of experience with it.

It is a great tool and I'm glade I have one.

TG



Creeper said:
A quick update...

Got the Edge Pro Apex yesterday. Went to the safe and pulled out an old BM Osborne 940 first production that I had wankered the blade on while on a camping trip.

Anyway, long story short... in about 30 minutes I had turned a truly ugly edge into a beautiful, clean, straight edge again.
Nothing fancy, not a shaver but a nice "working edge"... and a damn site better looking than it's been in a long time.

The plan is to work my way thru the least expensive and/or most hammered knives... lots of practice that way, and finish with the more expensive and finer edges in the collection.
Still on the learning curve for stone/knife manipulation, but it's pretty straight forward. The tool seems to reward those who are have the self-control to move slowly and methodically.

This may be the best "knife investment" I've made in a looooong time. ;)

That's it,
C
Click to expand...
 
In my own case, I have found that I wear out the coarse stones more quickly than any of the others, be prepared to keep spare stones and as long as you keep the working area clean you should have no problem. I have put away all other systems and now only use the Apex.
 
oregon said:
Outstanding! Thank you kindly for the encouraging update.

Do you get the metal slurry all over the place like I do?

I usually keep small towels under the works and spray off the stones and aim the dripping end onto the towels.

I wash my hands good afterward to avoid metal getting rubbed into my eyes.

Do you use painters tape, the blue stuff, on the blade face to keep the metal slurry from scratching the surface? When I first started with the EdgePro I scratched the dickens out of a couple of butcher knives.

Keep up the good work.

Lose the fear of dull knives.

All the best,

oregon
Click to expand...

Hi oregon,

In order of your questions...

Not really. I guess you could say I use the low pressure/lots of strokes method. I go slowly and use very little pressure, so I don't seem to get much of a slurry build up on anything.

I put the tool in a low baking tray, then put the tray on a wet towel to keep it in place on the kitchen counter... where I seem to end up working because it's the perfect height to use the tool while standing.

No tape on this knife. When I start on the more valuable knives, I'm sure I'll try it.

C
 
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