EdgePro Apex

rangerover_95

rangerover_95

Joined
Jul 23, 2008
Messages
1,047
So I have been looking at more high end sharpeners, and the Edgepro Apex looks like its the one for me. Then today I found one called the Wicked Edge, that looks like it runs on the similar premise.

Have any of you ever used either of these systems, and if so what is your unbiased opinion?

Keep in mind that I already have a Sharpmaker, a strop loaded with red jewelers rouge, various grit DMT diamond stones, and even some natural Arkansas stones. So I have a large collection of various types and methods to sharpen.

I have only had one experience with a knife sharpened on an Edgepro, and the edge was like nothing I have ever seen. It seemed that the hair on my arms was popping off as the knife was coming out of its sheath. I could not believe the polish on that edge! It was literally like a mirror, so alluring I still think about it. I also think that having a perfect edge from tip to choil seems very appealing, as I still think that the tip of my knife is relatively dull in compairison to the belly (must be my skill).

Thanks again guys,
Berkely
 
I use a Sharpmaker for touchups, finish up with a strop block from Knives Plus, and save the Edge Pro for rebeveling or for serious sharpening jobs. I do really like my Apex.

I wish I had a workshop so I could leave it set up, I'd probably use it more. The Sharpmaker is just so easy to set up and take down compared to the Edge Pro, but it doesn't do what the Edge Pro will do, so there's the trade-off.

The Edge Pro will tackle rebeveling or working with very hard steels like ZDP189 much faster than the Sharpmaker and will also allow you to control the sharpening angle much more precisely than the Sharpmaker will. You can also put a very fine polish on an edge with the Edge Pro, but you can do that with the Sharpmaker's U/F rods as well. A couple of my Sebenzas have mirror polished edges just from the Sharpmaker.
 
I do like the results an EdgePro gives, but like Dale said if I could leave it up all the time I would use it more.

As it is now I tend to reprofile new knives and put that first screaming sharp mirror edge on it then use a Spyderco 306UF benchstone for touch ups. The 306UF is the best sharpening item I have ever bought hands down!

Straight off the 306UF you can whittle hair easy, no stropping needed. Ask Dale how sharp the knife we traded was :D I don't find any need for a knife sharper than "hair whittling."

So yes, get the big Apex kit and get a 306UF also :D That stone might give you some sticker shock but it's well worth the $80-$90. I use mine everyday! My EDC of the day will get a few swipes before it goes in my pocket. :cool:
 
So-Lo said:
Ask Dale how sharp the knife we traded was :D I don't find any need for a knife sharper than "hair whittling."
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She was, and still is, sharp enough to become my benchmark for Sebenza sharpness. That's the standard I set now when I'm sharpening my other Sebbies. Haven't quite gotten there yet, but at least I know its possible, so I keep working toward it ;).

And she's still got the best blade profile I've ever seen in a regular Sebbie. I wish all of them had that belly.
 
I also love the BG42 belly :D

Dale that edge was Chris's angle touched up on Spyderco's 306UF. Just get that stone and that sharpness is easy as a few swipes before she goes in your pocket :cool:
 
So-Lo said:
The 306UF is the best sharpening item I have ever bought hands down!

Straight off the 306UF you can whittle hair easy, no stropping needed.

That stone might give you some sticker shock but it's well worth the $80-$90.
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+1 :thumbup: Worth every penny.
 
So I think instead of getting the EdgePro, I am going to feed my knife addiction.

So I guess I'll wait until taxes come in, then Ill get one....:D

Upon your recommendations, I bought a set of the UF stones.......and the diamonds ones too. I figure that I enjoy the time spent on the Sharpmaker, I usually couple it with reading the forums, and I wouldnt get that with an EdgePro.

Thanks again guys
Berkely
 
well I took the plunge and ordered an edge pro Apex today. Hopefully it is as nice as everyone says. I will still probably use my SM with the UF rods for touchups but I have some trouble reprofiling stuff like ZDP-189 so this should take care of that.
 
Knife_Geek said:
well I took the plunge and ordered an edge pro Apex today. Hopefully it is as nice as everyone says. I will still probably use my SM with the UF rods for touchups but I have some trouble reprofiling stuff like ZDP-189 so this should take care of that.
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Believe me, you'll never regret buying the EdgePro. :thumbup:
 
My wife bought me one thirteen years ago. I can't tell you how many knives i have sharpened with it .But one thing is for sure there always impressed with the edge quality.be on hair popping sharp.edg.pro.
 
The EdgPro Apex was the single best investment I've made in the knife knut world. I can and do use it for EVERY SINGLE BLADE from kitchen to workshop to sporting goods to defense, and it quickly and PERFECTLY sharpens each and every one regardless of steel, size, or contour. I continue to use other sharpeners as well, i.e. Sharpmaker set-up in the kitchen, DMT Aligner in my pack, and even a RazorEdge Cub for my teeny weeny pen blades. But when I REALLY want a perfectly finished edge... Apex. There simply is no comparison!

Stitchawl
 
Do they still offer the free sample sharpening? I may have to see for myself what an Edgepro can do.
 
Almost forgot about tax money. I guess you guys have me talked into the Apex and the 306UF rods also.

I thank you but the wallet does not.
 
lpd10574 said:
Almost forgot about tax money. I guess you guys have me talked into the Apex and the 306UF rods also.

I thank you but the wallet does not.
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The 306UF is a benchstone. It's a lot better than the rods IMHO. I have a review of it somewhere? :cool:
 
So-Lo said:
The 306UF is a benchstone. It's a lot better than the rods IMHO. I have a review of it somewhere? :cool:
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Thanks, I just assumed they were rods. I'll still be checking into it. I have begun to like sharpening almost as much as buying a new knife. Almost.
 
Where is the best place to get an Apex at? I have held off getting one for a while and think I am just going to pull the plug when I start working again and get one.
 
lpd10574 said:
Thanks, I just assumed they were rods. I'll still be checking into it. I have begun to like sharpening almost as much as buying a new knife. Almost.
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Welcome to the club. :D

It's nice to know you can "use" your knife and put a much better edge back on than when it was shipped from the factory. I have even found MOST custm makers don't ship knives as sharp as I like them ;)

Don't cheap out, the 306UF is worth every penny. You will use it more than any sharpening item you have ever bought. For daily up keep it's very very hard to beat. :cool:
 
I think the Edge Pro is the single best sharpener on the market personally. The only bad thing about the EP is that it can and does scratch up blades if you are not careful, especially with the course stone. Dale is offering diamonds now though which helps minimize that. I have been using those for a bit but I took some diamond pads and made my own before this. Diamonds are something he said he'd never do when I bought my EP from him but to my dismay at least now he is not letting his own personal feelings about the diamond sharpeners get in the way of what folks want, like and use. You'll need extra of the 120 grit water stones if you sharpen a lot. I buy them three or more at a time. The others seem to last quite well to me but you'll go through the course trust me.

I also don't tape the sharpener like in the video. When I sharpen someone elses blade I tape the blades to protect them from scratches and have not had any issues with doing this. On some of my own users though I could care less if more scratches are on the blades so I don't worry with those.

Other than this the only other thing I'd suggest is maybe keeping a log for each of your own personal knives or even others you sharpen for people and in that note log list the setting you had the sharpener on for that knife for when you put the primary edge on it to reprofile to a new bevel along with any secondary bevel information. This way you can avoid the time of guess work to figure it all out each time you have to touch it up after that with one of the other finer stones or a polish strip. Sometimes you might do family knives or the neighbors and a year later they drop them off and next thing you know you are into a lot more time than you wanted to spend so that log can be a real time saver.

STR
 
Just had my co-worker a few days ago touch-up my BM Rukus on his EdgePro. I tell ya...my Rukus got waaay sharper that it ever has with me just using a SM fine rods and a strop. Looks like I'll be purchasing one myself eventually...

Good to know they're local for me too.
 
The Edge Pro is an amazing piece of gear, well worth the price. If you have a bunch of really nice knives but never use them for fear of "messing them up" then buy the EP and prepare to be blown away. You'll soon realize even the best knives are dull as butter knives out of the box, at least compared to what you'll quickly be able to do.

Best money you'll ever spend on knife related gear. I suggest the full battery of stones, and double or triple up on the 120.
 
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