Edge Pro?

J

Jmurman

Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
53
I checked out this system and it looks awesome...but it's expensive!:eek:

What model Edge Pro do you have and are you pleased with it?

Any drawbacks?
 
I have the apex system and the only way I could possibly be happier with it is if the suction cups on the base were a bit more powerful. They don't stick that well to the surface where I've set up the edge pro. I tried to leave it attached to the smooth kitchen counter tops, where it works better, but my woman wouldn't have it.

Anyway, I've found its not a deal breaker or even a big deal; I'm still able to use it perfectly well without the suction cups.....cupping. In fact, I'd say its caused me to concentrate more on technique and keeping the stone moving smoothly.

I really like the apex. After familiarizing myself with it, I was able to reprofile a kitchen knife that had been used to chop roots and rocks (no joke) back to a useable edge in less than 20 minutes. It had at least 9 chips larger than 1mm...
 
I have the apex. I originally wanted the pro but decided on the apex because it was cheaper (relatively) and it packs away into a completely portable canvas case. I don't have the cup sticking problem, I use it on the kitchen formica and it grips fine. Between the apex and my sharpmaker for quick touchups in between, I have my needs covered. It is easy to put a professional looking, sharp bevel on any knife in pretty quick order. I recommend it to anyone.

pete
 
I have the Apex Edge Pro and it is great. I have used it to sharpen knives w/ a 3" blade to a 10" blade.

Pros: easy to use, works on a wide spectrum of lengths.

Cons: I don't think it can be used easily to make a convex edge. But I have read some people who have done this. I usually end up putting a micro bevel on my big, convex choppers and that works great.

Regarding the suction cups: I use it on a glass cook ware from the kitchen and it sticks fine so far.

Maybe one day I'll learn to do it free hand. ;)
 
I have an Apex also. Works good and and is great for reprofiling. I use mine the same way Tyrkon uses his, by mounting it in a Pyrex casserole dish. Suction cups hold great, and all the mess is contained in the dish.

If you're only doing quick touch-ups and such, I find it easier to use a bench stone, or the sharpmaker. The downside on the Edge Pro for me, is the set up time. Too long to unpack/pack up for quick sharpening job.
 
I have an Apex and I love it. When I got it I sharpened all my kitchen knives in abouty an hour and a half. (15 of them). Makes them razor sharp and so easy you just can't screw it up. I have also reprofiled and shaoened 2 22" machetes with it. The only down side is the course 120 grit stone wears out quickly on big jobs. Buy an extra one or try this.

I used double stick tape and a couple of rubberbands to attach a flat file to one of the blanks and it worked great for teh heavy reprofiling work. Way faster than the stone and you won't wear out the file.
 
Got the Pro complete set, with scissors attachment, then got the second generation scissors attachment. I've gone through a LOT of stones and tapes in the last 3 years but then I've sharpened thousands of knives, scissors, chisels, and plane blades with it as well.

The Pro uses a Panavise suction head to lock down the unit. It is solid, much more so than the Apex and the suction feet. The Pro is a lot more $$ wise than the Apex but you're getting a lot more too. Only the Pro will handle the scissors attachment.

The Apex maybe the best bang for the buck sharpener in the world. The Pro is just that professional quality, performance, and results all the way.

The Apex is available from many resellers and prices can vary widely. The Pro is only available direct from Edge Pro. Each Pro model is serial numbered and individualized, and if you find one for sale else where you can have it traced back to the original owner.

Buying either one you are buying the best in class. The Pro with ability to do scissors to the ultimate in sharp is a definite plus. Lot of money in sharpening scissors much more so than most knives.
 
I've had an Apex for eight years now and have never regretted spending the money. It works great and has held up very well over time.
 
I've got an apex, it's a great sharpener although the initial cost is high. I have found it best for large fairly straight knives. Curved blades need a little more practice as you move the knife to keep the angle consistent whilst still moving the stone arm.

I have customised one of the tape blanks by gluing a Silicon Carbide stone 4 x 1 x 0.25" to it. This is great for hogging off lots of metal without worrying about dishing your precious edge pro stones. Once the angle is set you can use the edge pro stones for a fine finish. SIC stones are fairly cheap to replace.

One thing, if you intened to sharpen a precious knife tape the blade wish masking tape because you can get scratches where it rests on the blade table.
 
You can touch up your knife with a Sharpmaker, but if you sharpen DULL knives often, you will not be sorry you have a Edge Pro. (Apex)
 
QuietOned said:
Got the Pro complete set, with scissors attachment, then got the second generation scissors attachment. I've gone through a LOT of stones and tapes in the last 3 years but then I've sharpened thousands of knives, scissors, chisels, and plane blades with it as well.

The Pro uses a Panavise suction head to lock down the unit. It is solid, much more so than the Apex and the suction feet. The Pro is a lot more $$ wise than the Apex but you're getting a lot more too. Only the Pro will handle the scissors attachment.

The Apex maybe the best bang for the buck sharpener in the world. The Pro is just that professional quality, performance, and results all the way.

The Apex is available from many resellers and prices can vary widely. The Pro is only available direct from Edge Pro. Each Pro model is serial numbered and individualized, and if you find one for sale else where you can have it traced back to the original owner.

Buying either one you are buying the best in class. The Pro with ability to do scissors to the ultimate in sharp is a definite plus. Lot of money in sharpening scissors much more so than most knives.
Click to expand...

Thanks, so you sharpen knives and scissors as a business? What do you charge to sharpen them?
 
My business was started as an excuse to continue buying sharpening equipment, I had to justify the cost of things I was buying to the boss (read wife), Ie. Tormek, bench grinder, belt sander, oil stones, water stones, pastes, powders, polishes, tapes, and more of this and that, then the Edge Pro and more stones and polish tapes and blanks, etc.

The addiction needed justification so I started doing it on the side and took out business license and all that. It has grown to more than I had intended for it ever to be, I have more business than I'd like.

My basic charge is 5$ and 1$ per inch. That's for routine sharpening matching existing bevels on standard knives. Reprofiling, taking out dings, chips, fixing broken tips, grinding and polishing bolsters are all extra. I give a firm quote when I accept the knife for sharpening. I pick up and deliver I don't accept all knives. Some are not worth sharpening or attempting to fix.

Japanese knives are a separate category and they start at 20$ and 10$ per inch.

Scissors it varies on the purpose. I don't do clam shell or convex shear sharpening. As low as 10$ and as high as 35$. I have done some paper shears at 12 inches that were 55$. Hair shears start at 25$.

Really all my prices are negotiable. I might only charge 5$ for a knife or I might charge 15$ or 20$. Depends on the work involved and the person I'm dealing with too and there are people I won't sharpen for at all.

EMT and ambulance cutters, axes, hatchets, garden tools, mower blades, brushing and forest fire polaskis and tools. If it's got an edge I've probably sharpened it or attempted to.

Weirdest thing I've sharpened was a jury rigged 8ft x 4 ft x 3/8" thick curling rink ice scraper no idea what that thing weighed but it took 4 of us to turn it over. I sharpen it twice a year and it's no longer a challenge just work I'm glad they are replacing it and I won't have to sharpen it next year.
 
Apex. Easy to use. The only part I don't like is having to dunk/soak the stones in the john for a half hour before use.
 
I have an Apex, Like others above, I use a Pyrex baking dish & the cups hold fine, & the slurry is contained in the dish, making it an easy mess to clean. All of my blades are extremely sharp & you should see the eyes bug out when I run the blade over my arm & the hair just literally jumps off. I use a sharpmaker when I don't have the time to set up the edge-pro.....
 
If someone is new to sharpening and has nothing but knives, is everything you need contained in the Apex and/or Pro? Or are there still "extras" that need to be bought? I'm talking for personal use, not business use. Is the Pro overkill for personal use?
 
Only doing knives. The Apex will cover that, depending on who you buy from you may need to purchase extra stones, blanks, polish tapes and tape blanks.

Check out 1 Sharp Knife for as complete a setup as I've seen. I'd still order at least a spare 120 grit coarse stone. Also 1SharpKnife has some great tips on using the EP.
 
QuietOned said:
Only doing knives. The Apex will cover that, depending on who you buy from you may need to purchase extra stones, blanks, polish tapes and tape blanks.

Check out 1 Sharp Knife for as complete a setup as I've seen. I'd still order at least a spare 120 grit coarse stone. Also 1SharpKnife has some great tips on using the EP.
Click to expand...

Thanks QuietOned. I don't expect to have a high volume of knives to sharpen (just my handful every now and then), and am wondering if there's any benefit to the extra cost of the Pro over the Apex. The scissor thing is another factor. I don't have any "fancy" scissors, but wonder if it might be worth the extra bucks now (cry once) to have that capability. What do you think?
 
I have the apex, it's the only system I can use that gives me a hair popping edge. I suck at sharpening so the Apex must be really good!!

If I'd had lots more disposable income I'd have gotten the pro, but the apex is great and is more than I really need.

Get an extra 120 and more tape and you'll be set for lots of sharpening fun!!

Doug
 
I got mine from 1sharpknife as well and highly reccomend them. When I purchased, the package deal they were selling included an extra 120grit stone.
 
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