Edgepro Apex = OMG!

[The Tourist]

I've been a professional sharpener in the Madison, Wisconsin area for almost two decades.

The first piece of equipment I bought for my business was the Pro model. Ben and I have been more friends than associates since that time.

With his ideas and innovation we learned from those early times, I used this equipment for over four years working as an independent contractor for our local Gander Mountain. Not only was the Pro model good for sharpening, but it was easy to transport and set up for the daily commute, and I could adapt fittings for repair.

(Dwade Hawley provided info on how to use Ben's scissors sharpening attachment to repair damaged serrated knives.)

While I now use more pastes and polishes, some of Keith Degrau's equipment and many 3x9 Japanese freehand-style stones, I still use the Edge Pro system to make my first cuts, even on high-end Japanese kitchen knives. Sometimes the project goes so well that I just leave the fixture set up and complete the entire knife. Even on a yanagiba, I can place a 3x9 next to the Edge Pro, and combine both systems to prepare the obverse side of the knife.

Ben has helped my business, and even built me specialize equipment over the years. For example, when I had lots of Emerson clients, he provided a longer adjustment rod with a tighter pivot. Oh, he swore to never build another...and 'swore' is the correct word.

We also experimented with glass polishing mounts, which I consider superior. Ben was nice enough to search out his area glaziers and help me refine the best size and weight of the glass for maximum performance.

And Ben is a biker.

 

[cbwx34]

For example, when I had lots of Emerson clients, he provided a longer adjustment rod with a tighter pivot.

Hey, long time no see. You got my curiosity up... what or why (or both) did he have to mod to sharpen an Emerson knife?

cbw

 

[stitchawl]

The first piece of equipment I bought for my business was the Pro model. Ben and I have been more friends than associates since that time.

He is one of the most helpful manufactures I've ever had the pleasure to buy from. Always right there with great information and support!

And Ben is a biker.

Socrates said that no man is truly free. But then, Socrates never rode motorcycles.


Stitchawl (V-Star 1100)

 

[The Tourist]

You got my curiosity up... what or why (or both) did he have to mod to sharpen an Emerson knife?

Even with the adjustment rod pulled out of the blade bed to its maximum height, the stone would not perfectly match the bevel on some CQC7s. But the problem was two-fold.

One, Ben did not offer a longer rod. Two, the swiveling head had to have very tight tolerances to keep everything from wiggling at that extention.

He made my rod out of a slightly wider spec, and to a longer overall length. It fits very tightly into the hole on the blade bed.

Then he re-designed the swivel-head slightly to make its tolerances tighter, as well. Nothing wiggles.

I can even do a CQC-16 without any shimmy.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimh0220
Tactical blade with a chef's knife bevel? Very sharp? yep. But at what price in edge durability......

A highly polished bevel such as the ones pictured are in fact more durable than one with a coarse finish, I don't want to open a can of worms so I'll leave it at that.

I think what Jim was asking about was the bevel angles, not so much about
the polished edges, if a knife is taken down to a very thin chef's knife angle
it could in practical applications make the edge chip or roll quicker.
Unless it has steel that can accept those angles, such as CPM 3v.

Found this thread searching for info on the EdgePro, really enjoying mine so far
there is a bit of a learning curve and I do find that I want to tape the blade's
spine so as to prevent marring from the grit that falls onto the shelf the blade
rests on. still a bit tricky for me to get around to the curve by the tip,
but I'm gaining

G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Well from another thread, I've learned the need to be standing as you use the edge pro
which for me is a hard thing to break, so many years of sitting at the stones sharpening
is strange to be standing, BUT looking down at the relationship of the blade's edge and
the shelf of the edgepro is critical to keeping your bevel maintained, it'll just be a learning
curve for me to do this.

I've since tried the tapes too, 2000 and 3000 grit, didn't pull out the 7000 grit tapes yet
but will give that a try later on as well. Very nice edge they bring to the party !
G2

 

[xtestifyx]

Standing does help, your upper body is supported by your feet and the push pull strokes are more firm

The tapes do wonders, make sure you elevate the angle and drop the angle as well to make sure you hit "all the spots"

Good luck!

 

[BladeChemist]

I started sitting one day on the couch and sharpening with the Apex attached to a metal card table chair. With a 250 watt MH lamp hung nearby keeping our fern happy, I have no problem seeing any burr or wire edge, and the comfort is reason enough to keep sharpening sitting down.

If this is causing any unknown problems my edges certainly haven't reflected it (although they have no problem reflecting everything else). Even better, if you own the "Pro" model you can pivot the entire blade table to suit your perspective.