Gift advice - Knife Sharpening System for Kitchen Knives? Poll

Lansky, Edge Pro, KME or Wicked Edge?

  • Lansky

    Votes: 4 8.9%

  • Edge Pro

    Votes: 4 8.9%

  • KME

    Votes: 5 11.1%

  • Wicked Edge

    Votes: 6 13.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 26 57.8%
  • Total voters
    45
M

missin44

Joined
Nov 25, 2015
Messages
4
My wife and I want to get a knife sharpening system as a Christmas gift for her brother. His knife sharpener recently retired and now the only other guy in town did a "hack job" on his German kitchen knives. This according to her brother.

Regardless we're looking for a knife sharpening system to gift him for Christmas. I've looked at the Wicked Edge, Lansky, KME & Edge Pro. I'm sure there are others. Our budget is $300 or less. I suggested a set of honing stones but my wife tells me he doubts he would dedicate the time to properly learn the correct technique.

All that said suggestions that would fit our budget?

If suggesting a given brand please also include which kit.

Thanks
 
As a preface, the only systems that I own/have owned are the Wicked Edge and a Spyderco Sharpmaker

IMO the Wicked Edge is probably the most foolproof system and easiest to get result from personal experience and research, but the Edge Pro should be pretty close. Can't speak for the other systems you have listed.

The Wicked Edge is also really easy to get repeated results, especially if you purchase the grid alignment tool for $10 or whatever. The Wicked Edge is relatively expensive and there is less of a market, if any (not that I'm aware of) for aftermarket stones and stuff for the Wicked Edge. Clamp based systems also have some disadvantages, but I haven't experienced much besides clamping an Olamic 247 blade (not that bad, but kind of a pain.)

You can probably get just as good of results with an Edge Pro, but there may be more of a learning curve.

The Sharpmaker is an incredible value at $55-$60 bucks. It's relatively bad at reprofiling compared to a Wicked Edge or Edge Pro, but if you don't need to reprofile it is easy to learn, cheap, quick to set up, space efficient, and the user might get the slightest satisfaction that they sharpened a knife (even though a monkey could probably use it.) There are a lot of other threads you can find on Google or using the search engine here.

Edit: When I said the Sharpmaker would be relatively bad at reprofiling, I meant that it would probably be a lot more time consuming and possibly more difficult. Not that you wouldn't be able to achieve similar results.
 
The KME system definitely looks to be worth considering. $300 looks pretty solid for everything you get with the deluxe. With the Wicked Edge, technically you'd be getting 2 stones in each grit considering the systems has two arms. This could theoretically amount to twice as much wear life for the stones, but who knows. Something that could be worth considering though.
 
Sharpmaker. There is no reason given to expect the OP's brother is going to reprofile his knives, and if he did, you get the coarse stones.

If, as the OP said, the guy isn't the type to learn how to use stones, he just needs a simple setup to keep his knives sharp.

Like the Sharpmaker.
 
I don't really see the benefit of spending that kind of coin on a system to sharpen kitchen knives which generally have relatively easy to sharpen steel. These consistent angle sharpeners shine when working with harder to sharpen thick blades that take a lot of effort and time. So unless these are custom kitchen knives with super steels the need just isn't there.

The sharpmaker is a good suggestion. Simple and fool proof. In the kitchen all I use is an inexpensive ceramic rod to touch up the edges every so often.
 
I would lean towards the Wicked Edge but it is usually a bit more expensive so I would lean more towards a KME or EdgePro as I believe they tend to be less expensive than the Wicked Edge.
 
I have given three sharpmakers as gifts over the past 2 years. Two have been appreciated and used, and one is still wrapped for Christmas this year.
It is simple to use (my Dad calls it 'sailor-proof') and can get very good results -- its what I use most of the time myself. I also tell the recipients that they can get coarser 1/2 inch triangle rods from Congress Tools that fit the sharpmaker and work well, if they need to reprofile.

I'm sure whatever you get will be appreciated.
Good luck.
 
Those clamped systems are a PITA to use with longer blades, especially the KME which otherwise performs really well with folders.
I use whetstones for all my kitchenware but as always YMMV.
 
Sharpmaker. Given the description of the guy and knives he'll be sharpening, it's the perfect solution and those expensive guided systems are way overkill. And NEXT Christmas, after he's gotten the basics on Sharpmaker, get him a couple of sharpening stones and spend an hour or two teaching him how to freehand sharpen. :p
 
I'm in favor of regular stones and taking the time to learn, however since this gift isn't for a knife guy, I'd say go with the Sharp Maker. It's easy to use and you can get different stones easily. Plus, should he want to free hand at some point, he can just use the stones by themselves.


For kitchen duty, I'd add a simple (plain) honing steel. They are good for quick touch ups. Also, a strop loaded with toothpaste (you don't want buffing compound close to food). I bought some "polishing toothpaste" at a place that sells dentist equipment, it's coarser than regular toothpaste (I wouldn't use it on my teeth daily!) and actually polishes edges quite nicely. Pretty decent non-toxic alternative.
 
I got used to sharpening utility knives in Thailand. Usually a natural rock (they have some nice ones similar to Arkansas and Washita if you know where to find them - but water stones). A lot of back-and-forth, grind off what you can and, when you get lazy, rock the angle or raise it a bit. Stones got sway-backed so you get a natural convex edge. That's what you do with $1-$3 working knives. They cut.
 
I would reco this...
Work Sharp Ken Onion Electric Knife and Tool Sharpener for about $130.
I think this is an easy sharpener for the novice and for someone who wants to just "git 'er done..." My buddy has one and uses it with good success from initial trial and hates knives...his wife was complaining.
 
Last edited:
I'm a knife maker and I use the Edge Pro to sharpen all my knives. I want a consistent edge angle which I get with the EP. It's expensive and would probably be wasted on her brother. The best she can do is find a professional sharpener on here - there are several who are members. there is another thread on here right now.
Tim
 
Sonnydaze said:
I would reco this...
Work Sharp Ken Onion Electric Knife and Tool Sharpener for about $130
Click to expand...

Agree with this. Worksharp also has a line of sharpeners made specifically for the kitchen (worksharp culinary). Belt driven like the WSKO. Simpler to use for maintenance, some of them even have a built in vacuum for no mess sharpening. They look to be more expensive than the WSKO, and are relatively new, so not a lot out there in terms of reviews. But, the worksharp company does have a pretty good reputation, so I doubt you would go wrong with this route.
 
Another vote for Work Sharp Ken Onion Electric Knife and Tool Sharpener. It keeps all of my knives screaming sharp.
 
In your brief description of the guy, a Wicked Edge or anything similar is simply going to be too intimidating and too time consuming for him to care about. The Wicked Edge and Edge Pro, and I have owned both, are enthusiast systems IMO.

If I was going to buy him any sort of "system" it'd probably be the Sharpmaker as it probably takes the least amount of effort and is relatively inexpensive. Otherwise I'd just get him a honing steel.
 
Sharpmaker. If you would like to spend more, you can add the diamond and extra fine stones.
 
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