Photos First sharpening with Edge Pro Apex

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maximus83

Joined
Nov 7, 2011
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Did my first real sharpening with my EP Apex. Spread it out over a couple nights and at least 3 hours, went slow, experimented with different ways of holding the knife, trying AlOx vs Venev diamond grits, etc. In the end, Venev worked best. On this knife, the hold that worked best was keeping the knife fixed using the magnet and slide guide, as the knife is relatively short/rigid and doesn't hang off the table much.

Details:
* Schrade 1095 blade, 0.25" thick at the spine. Factory edge? Yeah, butter knife. :-)
* Grits used: Initially AlOx 220, then switched to Venev F80, finished Venev F150
* Edge: 18 dps EP setting (obviously slightly different around belly)
* Results: shaves arm hair, slices receipt paper, cuts wedge out of apple

Definitely liking the EP in the role I got it for. Definitely still has a learning curve, maybe not quite as much as freehand but you definitely will have to devote a few practice knives and a handful of evenings before you start getting the feel for it.

lg7Mlp4.jpg
 
Your edge is very consistent for just learning to use the EP. I thought I read somewhere that the EP stock stones should be leveled before using since they can have a sheen on the surface that using new they might not cut right away. That could be why the other brand stones worked better. On the Diamond Matrix stones EP levels them before they are sent out.
 
^Interesting, did not know that about the leveling. What appeared to be the case to me was simply that the 220 Alox EP stone was not cutting fast enough. It was the one included with the Apex but I didn't buy the other Alox, I got the Venevs in a full-kit deal from Gritomatic. The 80-grit Venev really speeded things up. And in terms of consistency and final finish: yes I was literally done after the 150-grit stone, I could barely believe it. It was a nice toothy but consistent finish, just the way I like it on this type of knife.

ETA: Something I forgot to add in my OP, this Schrade was really horked up from the factory. The grind was super uneven, and I think it was that plus my learning the Apex that caused it to take nearly 3 hours of grinding to get a nice even bevel and sharp edge. They say right on the product page: "**Please note, grind may be uneven from factory." And I'm like, ya think? :D Yeah pretty much the most uneven factory grind I've ever seen, and dull to boot, I had to completely thin the blade stock behind the edge, widen the bevel more on one side than other, and finally sharpen to a more acute edge at 18 dps.
 
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Keep a notebook of what you do and when you go to resharpen it then you can set your machine up to get real close. Remember the EP stones can vary in thickness and wear so it is good to check with a sharpie to make sure you are sharpening like you expect.

A lot of factory edges are uneven and you really notice that when you go to sharpen it.

EP makes a more aggressive Alox stone if you want to do things quicker. Also the new Diamond Matrix stones are nice too.
 
I am pretty sure none of the EP stones need dressing before use and definitely not flattening.

Mmmm, Cambria. That is my favorite material for dressing flats.
 
Sharpened one of my faves on the EP: Spyderco Domino in CTS-XHP. About a 13 dps edge, progression was with the Venev diamonds 80 > 150 > 240. No strop, just very light finishing passes with the 240 to deburr.

The Venevs do fantastic. This thing was shaving hair and push-cutting receipt paper at 45's after the 80-grit, and had a pretty nice finish too, pictured below. But after the 240, it just glides through anything. Some evening I need to add the 400/800/1200 Venevs and see what that does.

wyju8DJ.jpg
 
maximus83 said:
Sharpened one of my faves on the EP: Spyderco Domino in CTS-XHP. About a 13 dps edge, progression was with the Venev diamonds 80 > 150 > 240. No strop, just very light finishing passes with the 240 to deburr.

The Venevs do fantastic. This thing was shaving hair and push-cutting receipt paper at 45's after the 80-grit, and had a pretty nice finish too, pictured below. But after the 240, it just glides through anything. Some evening I need to add the 400/800/1200 Venevs and see what that does.

wyju8DJ.jpg
Click to expand...

How aggressive is the Venev 80 and 150 in comparison to a diamond plate. Do you feel the need for an Atom 140?
 
My Atoma 140 is used for lapping, but I have a DMT extra-coarse (220 grit) bench stone that hogs off metal incredibly fast, that's about the closest to the Venev 80 that I have. And of course it's also tricky to compare since I have nothing like the DMT in an Edge Pro stone to do a direct comparison. But in general, the Venev 80 takes off metal at least as fast as the DMT 220, and somehow still enables you to deburr with lighter strokes and leave a working finish. As mentioned above, I could barely believe that with the 80-grit Venev I could not only remove metal super fast but still get a darn sharp working edge on my Spyderco.

I will add that if I wanted to just hog off a bunch of metal REALLY fast, I wouldn't even bother with an Edge Pro sharpener at all. I'd go freehand, jump on my Norton Crystolon coarse stone, or my Manticore, both stones are bench stones so a lot larger, and suited for fast removal. The size of a bench stone compared to an EP stone, and the ability to really bear down and lean into it when removing metal, I think makes a lot of difference to speedy grinding.
 
maximus83 said:
My Atoma 140 is used for lapping, but I have a DMT extra-coarse (220 grit) bench stone that hogs off metal incredibly fast, that's about the closest to the Venev 80 that I have. And of course it's also tricky to compare since I have nothing like the DMT in an Edge Pro stone to do a direct comparison. But in general, the Venev 80 takes off metal at least as fast as the DMT 220, and somehow still enables you to deburr with lighter strokes and leave a working finish. As mentioned above, I could barely believe that with the 80-grit Venev I could not only remove metal super fast but still get a darn sharp working edge on my Spyderco.

I will add that if I wanted to just hog off a bunch of metal REALLY fast, I wouldn't even bother with an Edge Pro sharpener at all. I'd go freehand, jump on my Norton Crystolon coarse stone, or my Manticore, both stones are bench stones so a lot larger, and suited for fast removal. The size of a bench stone compared to an EP stone, and the ability to really bear down and lean into it when removing metal, I think makes a lot of difference to speedy grinding.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I have the 240/400 and 800/1200 and have the 80/150 on the way. The 240 is capable of reprofiling, however, I was wanting something more aggressive and it sounds like the 80/150 stone will fit the bill.
 
Update: I received the Venev double sided 80/150 stone and while much more coarse than the 240 grit it is not aggressive enough for my preference. I was able to reprofile an edge, however, it was just a little too slow for my liking especially when I had a problem area at the heel or tip it was slow to bring to an apex. I went ahead and ordered the CKTG 140 diamond plate for quicker reprofiling/chip removal work. I would say the diamond coated plates are just much more aggressive.
 
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