edgepro

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will22

Joined
May 13, 2002
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I am not the best at keeping a angle when it comes to sharpening. I have been using a lansky system and am somewhat pleased with the results but it is not the most comfortable system in the world to use. It also takes quite a while the reprofile edges. I am thinking about getting an edgepro. For those of you that have on how well does it work on 3" - 4" blades? I have primarily all folders in this range. also will the edgepro give you a nice clean factory looking edge? I don't want to ruin any knives. Also have you guys been able to reach "Scary sharp" levels with this system?
 
It will give far better edges than ANY manufacturer can. With a little practice you can sharpen anything from an SAK blade to a machete. I've used mine for both and everything in between. Although the machete was a bit awkward, the edge produced was excellent. The only drawback is that it can scratch your blades if you aren't careful, and blades with complicated grinds can be awkward to sharpen if they won't lay on the table right. Despite that I wholeheartedly recommend one to anyone who wants the best and is willing to pay for it. Ben Dale, the owner, is very good about answering your questions and helping you get started. When I bought mine 5 years ago it cost me nearly a month's pay. I haven't regretted it once.
 
I appreciate your opinion, Roadrunner, as I myself am on the cusp of buying one. Despite all my years of lurking on this forum, and my close attention to any post about sharpening, I still have a few blades that defy my Sharpmaker. Maybe it's user error (likely), maybe it's the steel, or the grind, but there's some that won't even shave, let alone get "scary." I'm hoping an Edge Pro will be the final solution.
 
I just don't have faith that I can get perfect results with a sharpmaker let alone a benchstone. I really want to be able to sharpen my knives with that uniform perfect bevel. Even the lanski the bevel seems to get wider at the tip. I think that the lansky doesn't hold the angle perfectly.
 
Jaguar, glad I could help. :)

will, the bevel getting wider at the tip isn't unusual. The angle between the stone and the edge does change because the distance between the pivot point and the edge changes (if you can follow that, it's hard to describe). If it gets too wide, move the clamp on your lansky closer to the tip when you sharpen. It is easier to lessen this effect with the Edge Pro but you can't really make it go away entirely. You'll still get uniform bevels, they'll just be uniformly wider near the tip.
 
The EdgePro is a great system. I bought the Pro a few years ago and love it.
You can put a beyond scary edge on most knives with one. Some blades that are oddly shaped (like a khukuri) you really can't. Most regular shaped blades can be sharpened with it though.
I have also found,(for those on a budget) that there are stones that fit the Sharpmaker base. I have a wide assortment from 100 grit up. These work well also. Not as good as an EdgePro, but they do work well also, especially if you enjoy the Sharpmaker. They can be found in McMaster Carr catalogs among others.
You will never regret the purchase of an EdgePro though! :D
 
I think I'm just going to take the plunge and order one. I found a review on the web that showed great results with it and now I'm convinced. Plus it looks to be well made so it will probably be the last sharpener I buy.
 
I agree with all the positive statements above.

I love mine and was thinking about its absolute best attributes.

I think its ability to make an edge look like a factory edge is its #1.
 
I also concur, I have had an Apex for 3-4 years and it kicks @ss!! You can seriously make just about anything shave, plus the consistancy of the edges is gorgeous, you get one angle, no jiggle lines. Everything is crisp and clearly defined A+++++++++!!! The best part is that after you establish an angle you barely need to use any of the stones except the higher grits, which means they last longer, plus you don't wear out your knives as fast.
 
For many knives that I want a utility edge on I use the Edge pro to set the bevel to match the Sharpmaker angles. Then touch ups are done on the Sharpmaker as it is much easier to set up and quickly touch up the edge.
 
So now the only question is should I get the Apex or the pro. I am leaning towards the pro because it looks durable and it will probably be the last sharpening system I buy. Might as well get the best.
 
I've thought of upgrading to the Pro before as well. The Apex is solid, but does allow a minute amount of flex that I think the aluminum base of the Pro would eliminate. It's the only thing I can imagine replacing my Apex with.
 
I upgraded to it and even have another rod that I purchased so as to not have to switch stones as often. It is true that once you have the edge you want, the courser stones don't come into play as often. A 600 grit and polishing tape are about as much as I use anymore.

The base on the pro is MUCH better than the APEX. When I had the apex, it seemed to slide around to much for me, but Ben told me that I was trying to do to muhc of the work and not letting the stones do the work, so you can take that with a grain of salt......It is wicked though, and my edges are far better than I could have ever thought. The PRO is also infinately more adjustable so you can get that comfy feeling and work longer so you can sharpen more blades!

Cerberus ;)
 
Thanks for all the great info,
Does anyone know where to get the pro for a good price? I did a search and all the sites only had the apex.
 
I just got off the phone with Ben himself at EdgePro. What a nice guy he is! He told me what I needed and what I didn't. Another vendor of his products might sell me everything. He also offered free consultation if I had any problem after receiving the gear. I told him I'd been using the Sharpmaker until now, and he spoke well of that system, saying it would be good for touch-ups once the initial sharpening was done on the EdgePro. I thought that was very gracious of him.

I'm looking forward to some scary edges.
 
Will, I'm not 100% sure, but I think that Ben is the only one you can get the Pro mod from. That is where I got mine from and like LJ stated, he is great to deal with.

As stated above, I have two rods for my setup. The real reason is I had lost mine and needed to get another. When I called to order, they offered to let me return it if I should come across the other down the road. About a month later I get an email from some nice girl Ben has working for him wanting to know if I came across the missing rod. That I what customer service is about.

Cerberus :D
 
If you have a lot of knives I'd recommend and Edgepro and a Spyderco Sharpmaker. I do the reprofiling with the Edgepro (usually take each side down to 15 degrees per side) and then put on the final edge with the Sharpmaker at 20 degress per side (the 40 degree setting). This allows me to quickly and easily retouch my knives when they need it.
 
I do not recommend it for Blades less than 3 inches....at least I dont like it for small blades and rather use my sharpmaker...anything 4+ inches or more, I highly recommend

the reason is due to the width of the stone and width of the platform vs the size of the blade....it just doesnt work well for me
 
will22 said:
So now the only question is should I get the Apex or the pro. I am leaning towards the pro because it looks durable and it will probably be the last sharpening system I buy. Might as well get the best.
Click to expand...

I bought my Apex from Ben at the Eugene show a few years ago. I was ready to buy the Pro thinking it was better and asked him which one he thought I should get. He recommended the Apex. He said the pro is for someone who sharpens knives every day, a professional. Honest man, honest answer.
 
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