Edge Pro vs. Wicked Edge (I know it's not the 1st time this has been brought up)

elpidi0526

elpidi0526

Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
48
I've been doing some research on top-of-the-line sharpening systems. Soon, I'm going to invest into the diamond and ultra fine rods for my Spyderco Sharpmaker but my main goal is to ultimately take the leap into getting the best system for home use. I recently sent off my CRKT M21-14 to Pro Edge for their free demonstration (all you have to do is pay for postage--incl. return postage) showing what their product can do--I'm getting the blade reprofiled from the chisel grind to a double grind. I can't wait!!

Well, I'm curious if anyone has had any actual experience with a new system I've been hearing about, viz., the Wicked Edge knife sharpening system. Below is a YouTube link demonstrating how the product operates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I5cGkG1Gts

It looks very interesting, especially since you can work both edges simultaneously. But does anyone actually own the Wicked Edge? If so, does it work as well as they say it does? Has anyone used both systems to compare & contrast the pros and cons of each?, etc...

On the Wicked Edge website, they actually provide a comparison chart
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/edge-pro_comparison.html
But I want to know what YOU GUYS THINK.

I'd like some input from anyone here that have something to say on the matter. Thanks.
 
I've been wondering the same thing. Wicked Edge had a table at the gun show this weeked but everytime I walked by there was no one manning it. I wanted to get a hands trial with the Wicked Edge.
 
very interesting, I wonder how it handles hatchets.

I really like thier stone options as well more grits the better. the motion used to sharpen seems a bit foreign.

I'd like to see c clips or an o-ring retainer for the tones as well for a bit of safety. maybe large threaded caps or nuts so the stones can't come off accidently and still maintain easily swappable stones.

looks very nice indeed, I only wonder how well it will clamp on knives with tapered spines.

for the price difference I'd say they need a safety like the nut or even a lynch pin and lower cost. the granite base is an accessory for this price!?

nuts, absolutely nuts $200-$310 for the edge pro and 320-500 for wicked edge... not a cool price jump at all. the safety features on the edge pro were a huge selling point for me to dish out a couple hundred bucks... spending $320 for the basic model... no way.

~Jon
kniferights.org member 606. how about you?
 
My 0.02 cents.

Both units are well made, designed and use quality materials.
They rely on the same basic principles of design except one clamps the blade and the other relies on the operator balancing the blade horizontally ( resting on a 'flat' and held by the hand ).

Now I have had my problems with clamping blades and its not for me, yet others have never liked the hand changing required with the EP.

Both units will probably compete against each other and 'fanboys' will appear for both sides.

We users will benefit as to having more choices and both manufacturers will be forced to keep prices inline.
 
I can say that the edge pro can be very messy once you have the stome soaked and the bottle spritzing.
 
Just picked up the Edge Pro Pro2 Kit. WOW this thing is wicked quick and puts a polished razor sharp edge down in no time. Very solidly made it will last forever. Stupid simple to use.
From looking at the Wicked Edge website. The base does not look nearly as solid. The Edge Pro clamps to the table with a very effective suction system. The Wicked Edge doesn't.
The Wicked Edge knife clamping system is the same as that used on Galco and Lansky systems that cost far less. As much as I used to like my Galco I never liked the clamp. It never really held the knife well and over time it bends providing even less of a grip.
Wicked Edge uses a whole different sharpening method sliding the stone side to side, locked in so that your stones will experience wear in one spot. The Edge Pro method is a more traditional hand sharpening stroke. Pulling the whole stone surface down and across tour blade using the whole stone on each stroke. Last I noted that the angle guide is alphabetically marked, A-B-C-D-E rather than numerically with the actual angle the way that the Edge Pro is. To me that is a big flaw. I want to know what angle my blade edges are so that I can keep them sharpened at the optimal angle for their use.
IMO get the the Edge Pro, don't skimp save yourself some money over the long haul and get the Pro 2 Kit you will not regret it and it will be the last sharpening system you will ever have to buy. If you get the Apex Kit you will love it so much you will want to upgrade and than have to spend the money on a Pro Kit
 
fanboys may spring up, the only thing that really matters is haveing the edge you want.

if money were no option, I'd buy one to try it out.

~Jon
Kniferights.org member 606. how about you?
 
Both look interesting, but neither will sharpen recurves or hawkbills. I'll stick with my Sharpmaker. :)

Of course, if I was doing lots of kitchen type knives all the time, or restoring damaged edges, it'd be worth it to try one out.
 
Josh K said:
Both look interesting, but neither will sharpen recurves or hawkbills. I'll stick with my Sharpmaker. :)

Of course, if I was doing lots of kitchen type knives all the time, or restoring damaged edges, it'd be worth it to try one out.
Click to expand...

Sharpened my Kershaw Outcast 10 inch blade and Chive 2 inch blade both recurves just fine on my Edge Pro. You are probably right about a hawkbill though.
 
Re: Wicked Edge vs Apex
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/

I could not find much info one the Wicked Edge sharpener so I purchased one...it just made too much sense to me. I spent most of the day with this sharpener and here is my initial review. Of course my opinion is worth what it costs.

First, let me say that I have the required standard issue knife-nut equipment...I own a deluxe Apex and the Sharpmaker (for touch-ups). I have had good results with the Apex and Ben Dale is really a great guy. But I must say the Wicked Edge system is sound and based on a much better concept than the Apex. Sharpening both sides of a stationary blade at the same time blows the Apex away. I don't care who you are, sharpening an expensive knife on an Apex is a very stressful experience.

When you take the Wicked Edge out of the box, you see that this is a precision made tool, excellent materials with very close tolerances. 10 minutes to set it up, max. The blade is locked into a fixed position with the Wicked Edge vice, nothing moves, no switching sides or moving the blade for any reason. WE also includes an Alignment Tool that allows you to place all of your knives in the exact same location each time you sharpen them. You just need to create a list of your knives and record the benchmark where you initially sharpened each blade. Simultaneously sharpening both sides of a blade removes equal amounts of steel keeping both bevels even and the edge centered. This removes only the minimum amount of steel needed to get a sharp edge. Getting used to the feel of the sharpening motions with the WE was easy. Two handed sharpening is much easier than you would think and I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I really like the custom made two-sided Diamond Blocks that will never need flattening like the Apex water stones. If you expect good results with the Apex, you have the chore of flattening the stones between every knife (this is true of any soft sharpening stones). WE Diamond Blocks cut dry, no slurry. After inspecting the edges I achieved with the WE under a microscope, I see good clean and consistent bevels, from point to belly to rear edge. As with the Apex you have to spend a little more grinding time on the rear edge of the blade to get an even edge bevel. WE is currently out of stock on their Extra & Ultra Fine blocks but these stones will complete the system for me when they arrive.

The bottom line is the Wicked Edge and Edge Pro Apex (Kit 3) cost about the same. Having purchased and used both systems, all in all I feel Wicked Edge has the best sharpening system available and with the finer polishing stones, the ultimate sharpener…foolproof, fast and consistent results.

SOLD my Apex.

- wd
 
Having invested in many sharpening systems in the past with less than perfect results, the inital cost of the wicked edge does not seem extravagant if it works as well as you report. It seems to address the major problem of any sharping system = the angle consistancy. With the blade clamping and guide rods this Wicked Edge system seems to fit the bill. Time will tell, I just ordered mine and hope that this is the answer to my long quest for the perfect edge. Thanks Woodman for your great review.
 
There are many things I like better about the WICKEDEDGE, except for the fact that it absolutely won't do Flat Ground blades, or blades with a "tapered spine". That is HORRIBLE! For this price, and the clamp cannot accommodate over half of my blades?!?! Oh, man - I am at a point were I believe NOTHING exists as far as a sharpener WORTH more money than the Sharpmaker + Diamond Stones.
 
It will work to make them V grinds.

You could keep changing the angles and make a faceted edge pretty close to a convex grind.

You could put something soft over the stones like a leather strop that would maintain a convex edge. That would pretty much defeat the purpose of a jig though.

You don't need a jig to sharpen convex edges.
 
In a previous post the price for the wicked edge was listed at $320.

Just wanted to point out that it now lists for $199 on the website.

I might pick one up one day to try out and so I can get really crisp bevels but I am still not sure which one as they both seem to have pros and cons.
 
It looks like a tabletop version of a Lansky or DMT clamp system to me. Just has two stones going at once instead of one. Or maybe I'm missing something?
 
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