Full sharpmaker setup vs. edgepro cost

LeftyMatt said:
Yeah very wise and informative.. The past 3-4 posts have convinced me I think I am gonna be a edge pro man. Eventually getting a sharpmaker to complement it of course.
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Noice. Great choice matt !

Per the sharpmaker being a good entry into free handing: it isnt. Yees your knife angle is dependent on keeping your hand steady, but this is mostly visual, and ceramics do not offer much feedback as to how your edge is hitting the stone. Therefore, when considered in the context of learning to freehand, the sharpmaker really offers no benefit over a simple ten dollar bench stone. Actually, the bench stone is going to be the better learning aide. The sharpmaker is awesome, but by nature, is specifically designed to eliminate the need for paying close attention to feedback or perfect angles. Basically shines best as a touchup unit for applying microbevels to the very apex of an already reasonably sharp blade. See what im getting at?

I think youre on the right track, man! FWIW, for your first stone, on the cheap, i would recommend a Norton Crystalon or at least an ACE hardware Silicon Carbide stone, 8" or more. These shouldnt cost more than 25 bucks, and have excellent changes in feedback to let you know when your edge is too low, too high, or juuuust right. Quick way to learn. This alone will get you a shaving edge. Then you can apply your new freehand skills to your existing edge pro stones if you want more refinement. Just practice on some knifes youre willing to screw up at first.

Forgive the lengthy vocab, but i like to over elaborate lol.

Youtube has good stuff too, as far as how to hold the knife and other nuggets.
 
Well I was pretty much set on the edgepro until this kme system was introduced to me. I can definitely say the sharpmaker as a standalone unit isn't on my radar anymore. However after watching some of jdavis882 videos I am having second thoughts. Also Antdogs comments are weighing on my decision.

This kme system from what I can tell is a cheaper wicked edge. I would be set on it but I have read a few reviews about the limitations of using a clamped system. So if I am correct there are trade offs to either type of system. What really makes me like the edge pro is it seems you can sharpen any size or type of knife. What I don't like about the kme is that certain types of blades and small knives won't fit in the clamp. What scares me about the edgepro is having to use both hands and a smaller negative would be using water. Jdavis in one of his videos said that after sharpening a couple knives he would be physically and mentally exhausted on the ep.

So I am torn... Gonna keep researching and make a decision someday haha. I want to buy one system and be done for a while. If I can master the art of sharpening I would like to pay for whatever I choose over time sharpening friends knives. Everyone and their mother at my work hunts and uses knives. I would like to think I could get some business. So that is also weighing on my decision.

You guys are awesome by the way!
 
I mentioned it in one of the earlier replies, the KME is much better than the edgepro in my opinion. I have both and more, and the KME is by far the most used system. I hate how the knife slides around on the edgepro table, how messy it is, how you have to mask off your knives to keep them from scratching, the low grit water stones that need replacing kinda often, the different thicknesses of the stones causing you to have to remeasure your angle, how the knife doesn't want to lay flat on the table depending on the grind, on and on. The KME destroys it. The sharpmaker is good for fast touch ups and recurve blades. A worksharp or 1x30 is good for retipping, getting out large chips, and ripping through a bunch of cheap knives fast.
 
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You're right - every system has its limitations and trade-offs. You just gotta figure out which you can live with. ;)

I ended up with a lot of sharpening equipment cuz I wasn't sure what I really needed and those needs changed over time.

In the begining, a Lansky was good enough and I used one for years. But, as my knowledge and experience grew along with the number of knives and tasks, so did my sharpening needs.

Today, the standard Sharpmaker and the basic DMT 1-stone Aligner plus a DMT XX-Coarse stone would be all I needed.

For large blades, like my 9" Kabar BK9, I just built a large 18" cross-stick sharpener for $10. ;)
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scamero said:
I mentioned it in one of the earlier replies, the KME is much better than the edgepro in my opinion. I have both and more, and the KME is by far the most used system. I hate how the knife slides around on the edgepro table, how messy it is, how you have to mask off your knives to keep them from scratching, the low grit water stones that need replacing kinda often, the different thicknesses of the stones causing you to have to remeasure your angle, how the knife doesn't want to lay flat on the table depending on the grind, on and on. The KME destroys it. The sharpmaker is good for fast touch ups and recurve blades. A worksharp or 1x30 is good for retipping, getting out large chips, and ripping through a bunch of cheap knives fast.
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Yea I have been seeing these negatives more and more. But from what I have read, you trade this off to be able to sharpen any knife with any type of blade/edge. I have even begun to look into the wicked edge but I really can't afford it.. I would have to sell some stuff to get it. However, something that was completely out of my radar is not being considered.
 
I got a sm in 98, got the wicked edge 11 a couple years ago.

The diamond stones will cut metal just fine on the sm. Take about 20 minutes on your crk to apex 20dps.

20 minutes to reprofile and then just touch ups on the ceramic stones. I've stopped using the we do to setup times, even though it is a fine system

I learned my lesson with the wicked edge on low dps, diamond stones, beer and a crk glorious seb (no fault of the system)

Whatever you get enjoy yourself
 
LeftyMatt said:
Yea I have been seeing these negatives more and more. But from what I have read, you trade this off to be able to sharpen any knife with any type of blade/edge. I have even begun to look into the wicked edge but I really can't afford it.. I would have to sell some stuff to get it. However, something that was completely out of my radar is not being considered.
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Yes, the edgepro can handle long knives more easily, though you can slide the knife down and reclamp in the KME. To be honest, I've never had to do this with the KME; I sharpen 8-9" chef knives for myself and others pretty often, and never have had to reclamp. Both can handle slight recurves ok; and both suck for severe recurves, unless you buy the slimmer edgepro stones. I normally just sharpen recurves on my sharpmaker. I don't own the wicked edge (yet), but it looks just like a double sided KME to me. I would say an optimum setup would be a KME w/strops and paste, sharpmaker with all the stones, some kind of belt sander, and a couple of loaded strops for maintenance.

I know on paper the edgepro looks the most flexible, but to be honest, I despise using it in real life.
 
You know, it is absolute folly to feel you should pick the perfect sharpening system your first time up to bat. "But I just want to sharpen my knives". Well, maybe. Or it may turn out you like it and want to try a bunch of different systems. I learned things about sharpening each step along the way including shapton glass, WS/KO + blade grinder, SM, WE-1, WE-Gen3, EP, Kalamazoo etc.




LeftyMatt said:
Well I was pretty much set on the edgepro until this kme system was introduced to me. I can definitely say the sharpmaker as a standalone unit isn't on my radar anymore. However after watching some of jdavis882 videos I am having second thoughts. Also Antdogs comments are weighing on my decision.

This kme system from what I can tell is a cheaper wicked edge. I would be set on it but I have read a few reviews about the limitations of using a clamped system. So if I am correct there are trade offs to either type of system. What really makes me like the edge pro is it seems you can sharpen any size or type of knife. What I don't like about the kme is that certain types of blades and small knives won't fit in the clamp. What scares me about the edgepro is having to use both hands and a smaller negative would be using water. Jdavis in one of his videos said that after sharpening a couple knives he would be physically and mentally exhausted on the ep.

So I am torn... Gonna keep researching and make a decision someday haha. I want to buy one system and be done for a while. If I can master the art of sharpening I would like to pay for whatever I choose over time sharpening friends knives. Everyone and their mother at my work hunts and uses knives. I would like to think I could get some business. So that is also weighing on my decision.

You guys are awesome by the way!
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Nomo4me said:
You know, it is absolute folly to feel you should pick the perfect sharpening system your first time up to bat. "But I just want to sharpen my knives". Well, maybe. Or it may turn out you like it and want to try a bunch of different systems. I learned things about sharpening each step along the way including shapton glass, WS/KO + blade grinder, SM, WE-1, WE-Gen3, EP, Kalamazoo etc.
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I agree with this Nomo. There is too much involved in sharpening to pick one. For someone just starting out, I would just go with a sharpmaker with all stones. Expand to different systems as you gain experience.
 
scamero said:
.... For someone just starting out, I would just go with a sharpmaker with all stones. Expand to different systems as you gain experience.
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This! For what you get, the Sharpmaker is a decent piece of kit. A nice thing about the SM is that it is still useful even if you have something like an EP or WE.
 
With my 200+ knives, there are probably 2-3 that would be better suited on the EP rather than the KME, because of massive size or very irregular grind.

One thing I did forget to mention for the KME, be sure to get the small blade clamp. They are not expensive, and allows you to do very small blades, like the secondary pen blade in a Barlow. It takes about 8 seconds to change from one to the other.

With the KME you'll be pounding out some amazing edges in no time.

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Good luck on the hunt and decision. My guess is that you will take to sharpening as a hobby all on its own. Before long, a killer laser edge is just not enough.

Soon you start experimenting with levels of refinement....range between toothy and polished. Then you're trying out different geometries that work best with a particular knife, or steel, or for the end result that a specific knife will be cutting.

Lately I've had fun putting a jeweled edge on that really sparkles and lights up when light hits it. Not only are they laser sharp, but really captures attention by anyone near. Good opportunity to start a knife conversation.
 
Those are some beautiful edges bflying! If I can get anywhere in that realm I would be one happy camper... That small blade clamp adapter is huge plus as well! One last question for you and I'll leave you alone.. Do you use water with your kme? I notice they include a water bottle. I have seen some you tubers use it, but many don't seem to.
 
One other difference between the Edge Pro and the KME, (and actually a question I have), is how low of an angle can you sharpen at with the KME? Their website says 17-30 deg... not sure if that's to the base of the clamp or a blade sticking out some distance. Some (knifenuts) might want a bit lower angle, that can be achieved easier with the EP.... a difference to consider... to others, this isn't much of a factor. But I am curious about the angles that can be reached?
 
cbwx34 said:
One other difference between the Edge Pro and the KME, (and actually a question I have), is how low of an angle can you sharpen at with the KME? Their website says 17-30 deg... not sure if that's to the base of the clamp or a blade sticking out some distance. Some (knifenuts) might want a bit lower angle, that can be achieved easier with the EP.... a difference to consider... to others, this isn't much of a factor. But I am curious about the angles that can be reached?
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I just put a delica in my KME and bottomed out the angle adjuster. It was sitting at 14.00 degrees according to my angle cube.
 
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Those mirrored edges are very easily attainable with any system as long as you strop/polish tape after sharpening.
 
I do use water with the diamond stones. It doesn't take a lot, but does help lube a bit, and helps the waste sluf off. When I see the stone a bit dirty, I'll put a couple drops on, wipe with a cloth, then add a couple more before continuing.

I have not had any problem getting good low angles on any knife I've done. But I can see what people are talking about. I have seen a couple tube videos where some have flipped the the guide upside down, giving even lower angles. But I have never needed to. But then I don't have any super high end Japanese chef/sushi knives that need a nine degree finish. Pretty much anything I've done have been able to achieve an angle smaller than the original factory edge, and still have clearance to go further if wanted. So for me it's a non issue. Plus the newest clamps are much thinner than the older original ones, so many of the old complaints of angle minimums are now resolved.

Yes you can get a mirror edge with any sharpening technique out there. I just found that for me, I have an easier time adding cosmetic touches without damaging the actual apex by doing it while still clamped in the jig.

In the end, as nomo4me said, whatever you get, take the time to learn it, and you'll learn more about the sharpening process. So just look at the options, and go with your gut. If you decide that you want to take things to another level, you may end up wanting to try out different systems anyway.
 
Sorry about my post on the mirror edges bflying, it came off snippy. That wasn't my intention.
 
scamero said:
Sorry about my post on the mirror edges bflying, it came off snippy. That wasn't my intention.
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No worries. I didn't even read it that way. Besides, we are all still learning and this site is a great place to find diverse skills and new ideas. All info is good info. Just keep 'em sharp.
 
Just for fun, here's a couple more edge pics. Sorry if some of them are blurry, my phone does not have a macro mode.

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