Good Knife Sharpener (Egde Pro, Wicked Edge, Other)?

O

oXObsidianXo

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Dec 30, 2013
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Let me preface, by saying I wasn't sure where this post might belong, so feel free to move it if necessary.

So I'm at the point where my next big knife related purchase needs to be a quality knife sharpener (Capable of re-profiling, and polishing edges). I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker, and a cheap leather strop, however after a bad experience with getting my Strider SMF re-profiled at a local knife store (The apex at the tip is wavy), I feel like I should be the only one touching my knives. Problem is, I don't have the means to re-profile the edge, and get it as sharp as I want.

My question, is which sharpeners the community might recommend? Budget is fairly open but I would prefer to stay under $300, so if I did go with the Wicked Edge, it would be the basic kit, vs the Edge Pro Apex Kit 4. Also, all my knives are folders, I have 1 re-curve (ZT0300), and the largest blade length I can see myself sharpening is no more than 8" (inches). If there are any other important details I didn't state, please let me know.

Thank you for your input, and all opinions are welcome.
 
I have the EdgePro Apex. I like it.
The Wicked Edge is more expensive, but may be a better design for some folks.
Sonnydaze
 
The Edge Pro and Wicked Edge are both excellent guided systems that can reprofile and refine your edges easily. I like the Wicked Edge better. Both would compliment your Sharpmaker, which you could still use for touchups between major sharpenings or for maintaining a micro bevel.

You could go freehand, but that's a more difficult journey. Many find it worth the effort to go down that road. I don't, but the possibilities in terms of all the various stones and techniques available are endless. The cost can be cheap to super expensive, depending on how deep you go.

Power systems are quite different -- much faster, but not typically up to the manual systems in terms of a crisp, quality edge.

It's really impossible for any of us to know what the best system for you would be because we all have different tastes, abilities and mental quirks. After trying lots of systems, I settled on the Wicked Edge for major sharpenings, reprofiling and refining. I use the Sharpmaker for quick touchups. I use the WorkSharp for my machetes and bolos because it is so fast and because I don't need refined edges on those knives.
 
I have a clone of the EdgePro Apex. I'm getting amazing edges easily with it after struggling freehand. A friend of mine has both a wicked edge and a work sharp. I like the work sharp for quick, less refined edges; plus it makes reprofiling a breeze. I like the edge the wicked edge produces (slightly better than my edge pro clone, but he also has better stones, so...) and it is a little faster since you don't have to keep flipping the knife over; but I think the motion used on the edge pro is a little more natural and ergonomic.

I'm also saving up to buy one or the other at the beginning of next year and I'm torn between them myself. I will probably end up with the Edge Pro because I'm already more familiar with it, it is more portable and for the same money as the WE, I can get it with the Chosera or Shapton stones.
 
oXObsidianXo said:
Let me preface, by saying I wasn't sure where this post might belong, so feel free to move it if necessary.

So I'm at the point where my next big knife related purchase needs to be a quality knife sharpener (Capable of re-profiling, and polishing edges). I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker, and a cheap leather strop, however after a bad experience with getting my Strider SMF re-profiled at a local knife store (The apex at the tip is wavy), I feel like I should be the only one touching my knives. Problem is, I don't have the means to re-profile the edge, and get it as sharp as I want.

My question, is which sharpeners the community might recommend? Budget is fairly open but I would prefer to stay under $300, so if I did go with the Wicked Edge, it would be the basic kit, vs the Edge Pro Apex Kit 4. Also, all my knives are folders, I have 1 re-curve (ZT0300), and the largest blade length I can see myself sharpening is no more than 8" (inches). If there are any other important details I didn't state, please let me know.

Thank you for your input, and all opinions are welcome.
Click to expand...


I use the Edge Pro and have done over 500 knives easy since I have had it....
 
I've been using the Wicked Edge for just over four years now. I'm now on my third set of stones, so I couldn't even guess the number of knives I've sharpened, and I like it a lot.
When I bought it the basic version was the only version, and it worked fine for me. When upgrades became available later, I purchased them and I like the improvements, but they certainly aren't a must-have for getting a great edge.

I hear endorsements for the Edge-Pro from sources I trust (Blade Forum members who use them regularly), so I think you would be pleased with either setup.
Another possibility you might consider is the Washboard system sold by one of the members here, HeavyHanded. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1176982-Washboard-Freehand-Sharpening-Kits
 
I second the WE.

It's highly customization. Just buy some blank paddles and put whatever you want in them.

For example, I've cut up some balsa and basswood and used some 3M poster double sided tape and used with very good results, sand paper and 3M polishing paper. Also, balsa wood and paste makes a great polishing/stropper that doesn't round the tip as much as leather. I even have some glass paddles for sand paper and it works very well.

I've owned the EdgePro, Wicked Edge, Lansky and a few other systems but the WE is by far the best. You wont go wrong with starting small and working your way up with upgrades.
 
@Hairlesstwinkie
You meantioned the KME Sharpener. Do you have one or does any here own a KME Sharpener? I'd be interested to see some pics of the edges people have gotten with it.
 
I had just picked mine up from Blade. I was going to pick up a WE until I saw the KME booth. I know that WE has limitations with large blades, and I was sold on the KME when one of the guys sharpened an Ontario RTAK II without repositioning.

Here are a few knives that I've sharpened with the KME. I bought the water stones and the leather strop. I got the diamond kit + water stones ( 1000, 3000, 5000,& 10000 grit)+ leather strop + diamond paste for just under $380.
Untitled by Hairlesstwinkie, on Flickr
Untitled by Hairlesstwinkie, on Flickr
Untitled by Hairlesstwinkie, on Flickr
Untitled by Hairlesstwinkie, on Flickr
 
I have the WE Pro Pack and it's terrific. Very flexible to handle all kinds of knives and repeatable for consistent results. Really like the strops.
 
For the KME it is 17-30 degrees per side right? The the only real advantage the EPA or WE have is being able to put on a 30 degree inclusive angle (down to 20 inclusive for the EPA). Correct?
 
I have sharpened everything from an Esee Candiru to a 9" kitchen knife and I never had to reposition. It was able to get me shaving sharp with a complete rebevel in less than an hour with a microbevel and mirror finish.
 
oXObsidianXo said:
For the KME it is 17-30 degrees per side right? The the only real advantage the EPA or WE have is being able to put on a 30 degree inclusive angle (down to 20 inclusive for the EPA). Correct?
Click to expand...

There's a trick with the KME that lets you go under the 17. You'll just have to invert the guide and use an angle cube to find the correct angle. I found out about it at Blade at their booth.
 
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