Edge Pro initial impression

tgo-mdai · Feb 15, 2011

A friend let me borrow their Edge Pro last night and I was very impressed. I have used diamond rods, a whetstone and the Gatco system to sharpen my knives and what the Edge Pro did in my relatively n00bish hands in one hour was short or remarkable in my humble opinion.

The first knife I "EP'd" was a Remington Sportsman VIII Edition (440C stainless according to Remington's customer service). A Big 5 Sporting Goods knife that I bought for 6.99. I had to reprofile the edges with a whetstone. It was sharp but the bevel was not even. I do get hung up on equal bevels. Heck, my wife complains when I move the furniture back to 90 degree angles when she angles it for a new look.

I set a 19ish deg bevel on the knife with my Gatco setup several weeks ago and the knife was sharp. Arm hair shaving sharp (with some pressure). So that is the history on this knife. When I setup the EP, I did the usual Sharpie test to verify angle. The EP was set to the yellow dot (21 degress iirc) and I went to work with the 600 grit stone. Not much was needed as the knife was in working condition. I changed over to the 1000 grit stone and when I saw the luster come out and shine on the bevel I rushed and jumped to the polishing tapes. The tapes did their job and I had a polished bevel. Do I need one? Not at all, this is strictly something I want. I realized I could have removed a lot more of the wear marks from the bevel if I had taken more time with the 1000 grit stone. This took about 45 minutes. I took the knife and tried to shave my arm. The hairs were literally popping off my arm. For some strange reason I started smiling and felt like a kid in a candy store.

*UPDATE*

Next knife was my RAT Model 1 (Aus 8 steel). This knife has seen more use than my Remington. I had sharpened this knife with the Gatco with "success". The angle was 19ish on one side but not the other. I have been using this knife with a "working" edge for all my EDC needs. Since I have the EP in hand I went through the following stones (stones were soaking in water):

120 - to recut an 18 degree bevel on one side of the knife.
220 - few passes to slowly remove marks on the bevel
320 - few passes to slowly remove marks on the bevel
600 - more passes to bring out some of the shine
1000 - more passes with lighter touch to start the polishing
2000 tape - polishing
3000 tape - even more polishing

*UPDATE* - A little blurry, but the edge looks cool

*UPDATE*

The knife was coming along amazing until....I got some slurry on the tape and it scratched up some of the polish. This was part of the learning curve. I should clean the tapes after a few passes to remove the slurry from previous passes. I did not go back to 1000 and work my way up. I was already very happy with the results.

This knife is now hair popping sharp and has equal bevels on both sides. I am surprised to see some posts on the EP where the user did not have success and returned the unit. I my very short time of using it I had some mishaps but learned how to use the unit. I have watched the videos and the Gatco system has a very similar stone movement, which my have helped.

Overall I am very close to jumping on the EP train. I would like to try out a Wicked Edge system to make my final decision, just need to find a vendor out in Norcal that has one on display.

I didn't take any pics which now I think I should have. The Remington would show many bevels from previous sharpenings on different mediums and the RAT Model one would just be all shiny.

I may buy some of that 3M PSA film for my friend. I need to see what film would be higher in grit than his polishing tapes. This is the film I am referring to.

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/...oduct_Code=ST-MAF.XX&Category_Code=&Search=3m

Next in line for some EP treatment will be:

Henkel Santoku (non scalloped)
RAT 3 in D2 steel
Ka-Bar USMC utility knife

m-

RubiconSS · Feb 15, 2011

Great post:thumbup: Loved the detailing of the steps and the corresponding result.
IF my WE arrives before you get access to one, I will try to do the same in the hopes it may provide you the same quality information you have given.

BladeChemist · Feb 15, 2011

Excellent. You sound like the type of person who would love to own an Edge Pro. Thanks for the review- it sounds like you picked it up quicker than most do.

jdj_livefreeordie · Feb 15, 2011

I love my edgepro - I'm a self-confessed lousy hand sharpener - scandi grinds are easy but anything else is impossible for me. I recently bought some aluminum and put together a kit to use the edgepro for doing sandpaper convex edges. Thinking about doing a tutorial on it.

grybsh7 · Feb 15, 2011

jdj_livefreeordie said:
I recently bought some aluminum and put together a kit to use the edgepro for doing sandpaper convex edges. Thinking about doing a tutorial on it.

That sounds interesting.

tgo-mdai · Feb 16, 2011

So this evening I used the Edge Pro on one of my favorite kitchen knives. It is an older Henckel Santoku non scalloped. I had sharpened it last with my Gatco and been touching it up with a Henckel steel rod.

When I put the knife on the EP the proper setting was on the red dot (15 degrees). The right side was spot on. When I turned the knife over and checked, it was off. I guess even with my attempts to be precise with the Gatco, it wasn't even. I took the 120 stone and made sure the angle was even. Here are some before pics:

The knife was sharp and worked great for me in this "state". But I wanted that even bevel. The right side of the blade was ready to start with the 600 stone so I went to work on the left side.

I went through all the stones to get to 600.

120 - To recut an 15 degree bevel on one side of the knife.
220 - Few passes to slowly remove marks on the bevel
320 - Few passes to slowly remove marks on the bevel

Once the angles were set, the remaining stones and tapes were used.

600 - More passes to bring out some of the shine
1000 - I spent a lot of time using the this stone.
2000 tape - Polishing. After every section, I cleaned the tape with a microfiber towel and soapy water. I did not want any slurry to scuff up my work again. I sharpened the knife in 3 sections at a time.
3000 tape - Even more polishing and cleaning.

I wasn't really looking for a mirror edge. I just wanted an even bevel and a pretty edge. I realized that grip is key for a larger kitchen knife. The videos on EP's website show Ben Dale hold the knife from the handle and go to work on the blade. I tried this only once. I realized that I was not keeping the blade completely flat. So my solution was to choke up on the blade.

This gave me all the control I needed and I was able to work the blade with the EP.

Here are some "after" shots:

Some cutting was done as well. I did not have any tomatoes in the refrigerator so I used some lemons.

I saw someone on Youtube do a "drop" test on their kitchen knife that was sharpened on a whetstone. They dropped a tomato onto the blade from about 5-6" up. I used a lemon. I wasn't sure if it would bounce off or cut.

It cut.

The more I use the EP, the more I really like it. I may post a 3rd portion to this review that may cover a big blade or a harder steel (D2).

m-

Garand'06 · Feb 16, 2011

tgo-mdai said:
I am surprised to see some posts on the EP where the user did not have success and returned the unit.

Newbie here, but I'm one of those who have made the commented on post on another forum.

I must note, however, that I never said I didn't have success. The fact is that at the time, the knives I tried on it came out sharper than I've ever had them. I stated that the need for constant cleaning of the table and tape to prevent scratches was unacceptable to me, as well as the difficulty in holding certain blades steady enough.
Now I'm using the WEPS and get them stupid sharp faster and (IMO) easier than on the EP.

Different strokes for different folks, I just find it too klutzy to use. The WEPS is much more user friendly and will do just as good a job.

jdj_livefreeordie · Feb 16, 2011

Garand'06 said:
Newbie here, but I'm one of those who have made the commented on post on another forum.

I must note, however, that I never said I didn't have success. The fact is that at the time, the knives I tried on it came out sharper than I've ever had them. I stated that the need for constant cleaning of the table and tape to prevent scratches was unacceptable to me, as well as the difficulty in holding certain blades steady enough.
Now I'm using the WEPS and get them stupid sharp faster and (IMO) easier than on the EP.

Different strokes for different folks, I just find it too klutzy to use. The WEPS is much more user friendly and will do just as good a job.

This is a good point. On certain knives, it is difficult to maintain the knife on the table. Knives with a large primary bevel or flat are easy, but irregular, often smaller knives are a challenge.

To avoid scratches on the knife surface, I put the masking tape on the KNIFE far enough back so the stones don't touch it - works for me

leomitch · Feb 16, 2011

Garand'06 said:
Newbie here, but I'm one of those who have made the commented on post on another forum.

I must note, however, that I never said I didn't have success. The fact is that at the time, the knives I tried on it came out sharper than I've ever had them. I stated that the need for constant cleaning of the table and tape to prevent scratches was unacceptable to me, as well as the difficulty in holding certain blades steady enough.
Now I'm using the WEPS and get them stupid sharp faster and (IMO) easier than on the EP.

Different strokes for different folks, I just find it too klutzy to use. The WEPS is much more user friendly and will do just as good a job.

I am with you mate! First of all if I had bought the EP, my wife would have had a bird...too messy and wet...I don't have a workshop.
Second for me is the ease and accuracy with which the WEPS cranks out crazy sharp blades. Having said that, I have noticed as I gain greater experience with the WEPS, my results are getting even better because I can feel/hear differences in the strokes that tell me when to go on further or when to stop. Beyond that I seem to be able to eek out sharper edges once again using this hear/feel sense. It is part of the same thing that I am sure other sharpeners gain over time using their same tool over and over again. Maybe we can call it the Zen of sharpening. Seriously.

Best to all
Leo

tgo-mdai · Feb 16, 2011

leomitch said:
Maybe we can call it the Zen of sharpening. Seriously.

I have to agree with this 100%. I tell my friends when I do sharpen, it is relaxing and almost trance like. I want to make sure that this does not become an EP vs. WEPS vs. *insert system/method* thread. I meant zero offense to anyone who has returned the EP. I apologize if my comments came across as such.

The sound and feel come, imho, with more use as you stated leomitch.

m-

leomitch · Feb 16, 2011

tgo-mdai said:
I have to agree with this 100%. I tell my friends when I do sharpen, it is relaxing and almost trance like. I want to make sure that this does not become an EP vs. WEPS vs. *insert system/method* thread. I meant zero offense to anyone who has returned the EP. I apologize if my comments came across as such.

The sound and feel come, imho, with more use as you stated leomitch.

m-

No need to apologize for anything I can see mate!
You are probably one of the most interesting and valuable posters on any of the forums I visit my friend. I don't think that even the rankest troll or fan-boy could say you were pimping either this or that system without being laughed off the forum.
I have followed the Zen path for many years and like some I have met, you are probably more Zen than a lot of others who yell it out loud. I for one have found no offense in your comments nor any hint of negativism in your thoughts and words.
It would be nice to sit and sip tea with you and folks like garand06...there should be a cafe/tearoom in our forums where one can sit with those of like minds and philosophies. Oh! I guess we really have that already silly Leo!!!
ROTFLMAO! Getting too old and the noggin is not always right on the bit!

Warm regards m

Leo

My friends call me Mitch...please fell free.

Tsujigiri · Feb 16, 2011

I feel like this should be really obvious to me, but how to you sharpen something intricate like a Spyderedge if you only have flat stones?

tgo-mdai · Feb 16, 2011

According to EP, you sharpen the flat side. I have no experience in this. Here is their video on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCqby2dO3_Q

m-

jdj_livefreeordie · Feb 16, 2011

Tsujigiri said:
I feel like this should be really obvious to me, but how to you sharpen something intricate like a Spyderedge if you only have flat stones?

It's actually pretty easy. All good serrated knives have serrations on one side only - the other side is flat. I just sharpen the flat (non serrated) side with a smooth stone, then take the burr off the serrations with something like a fine diamond tapered rod or a lansky spyder (I use the spyder)

To go into further detail - when I'm setting the angle to sharpen the flat side I use the sharpie to make the angle such that the entire serration is being sharpened (just barely higher than a scandi-grind).

Tsujigiri · Feb 17, 2011

tgo-mdai said:
According to EP, you sharpen the flat side. I have no experience in this. Here is their video on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCqby2dO3_Q

m-

I saw that on their site, but if you just sharpen the flat side, won't the serrations disappear with some time? I know with a plain edge you can grind the blade way down, so you can't do this with serrations? Also, If you grind the flat side, won't that turn a chisel grind into a bevel?

Is there a way to sharpen the other side, too, on the Edgepro?

Sorry for all the questions, but I still don't see how this can work well. It's easy to do on my Sharpmaker, but if the Edgepro is less versatile, I'm not sure I want to upgrade yet.

Garand'06 · Feb 17, 2011

tgo-mdai said:
... I meant zero offense to anyone who has returned the EP. ...
I want to make sure that this does not become an EP vs. WEPS vs. *insert system/method* thread.

Would have replied sooner, but have been having computer problems.

No offense was taken by me, either.

I don't want to turn it into that either, just wanted to give my impressions of it.

jdj_livefreeordie · Feb 17, 2011

It works suprisingly well. You really don't need to remove hardly any material to sharpen the serrations. I wouldn't worry about removing them. I've resharpened one of my forstner serrated paring knives half a dozen times and it shows no signs of losing the serrations.