Guided sharpener advice?

A

Andrew Carlson

Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
238
What are the benefits of an Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge system over like a Lansky? Is it just durability, or are the more expensive systems significantly easier to use and more effective? Im not experienced in sharpening at all, thats why im looking at guided sharpening sustems over bench stones, so I really have no idea what makes a really good edge (other than it being sharp, lol). Obviously they are higher quality, which makes a huge difference for me, but I'm just wondering if the benefit justifies the cost.
 
Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge systems are more versatile than clamped systems such as Lansky or DMT Aligner. You can choose a greater variety of edge angles. The build quality is more robust, and there are a larger variety of stones available for them. The EdgePro (my favorite) and the Wicked Edge systems will last a lifetime, only needing the occasional stone replacement as they wear down. If You are a typical home user, with one or two pocket knives and a couple of kitchen knives, that shouldn't be more than one or two new stones every few years.
The Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge systems (especially the EdgePro) are better choices for larger knives, over 8" blade lengths, so better for most larger kitchen knives or fighting knives.
The edge results from Lansky or DMT can easily rival the results from the more expensive systems, but the clamps may only last you 20-30 years instead of a lifetime. And the speed and ease of use of all of them are roughly the same. They all take just a bit of practice, but not much, to produce perfect edges. Personally, I use my DMT Aligner more often than my EdgePro, and I use a Sharpmaker every week...

That said, perhaps you should start with the question;
"What do 'I' need a sharpener to do for 'me?'
Can you be satisfied with only 4-5 edge angles to choose from?
Can you be satisfied with only 2-3 different brands of stones to choose from?
How often are you going to sharpen your knives. Properly cared for and maintained, most users don't really need to put their knives back onto a stone all that often. We Knife Crazies do... but that's because we enjoy the process. What are YOU going to do?

Are the Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge systems worth the money? Absolutely!
Are they better at sharpening knives than the clamped systems? That depends on the size of the knife!
Do you 'need' a system that costs $200+ to take care of your knives? That depends on how you answered the questions above.

Stitchawl
 
Nice write up Stitchawl! I think I'll probably go for one of the nicer ones then. I've got 20+ knives that I use, and I'm pretty obsessive about them, so I think the durability and control will offset the extra cost. Thanks man!
 
Stitchall pretty much summed it up. Except I think that he is being very optimistic about the life expectancy of the clamps. And Stich may be able to get good edges from a Lansky, but I couldn't.

I bought the Edge Pro and am very happy with it. It gives me spectacular edges (by my standards) with an ease and certainty that isn't availble with the Lansky and Sharpmaker systems that I also own.

With 20 + knives, I strongly recommend that you invest in an EP or WE. Both are great systems.

JMHO,
Allen
 
aread said:
Stitchall pretty much summed it up. Except I think that he is being very optimistic about the life expectancy of the clamps. And Stich may be able to get good edges from a Lansky, but I couldn't.
Click to expand...

Frankly, I prefer GATCO over Lansky, and DMT over GATCO! I think that for the money, the DMT Aligner is the most versatile of all the hand-held clamping systems as it can be used with its own stones, bench stones, or sandpaper, and all of them at various angles. I always thought the guide rods on Lansky were too flimsy and the stones too narrow for my taste. The DMT is beefier all around.

I bought the Edge Pro and am very happy with it. It gives me spectacular edges (by my standards) with an ease and certainty that isn't availble with the Lansky and Sharpmaker systems that I also own.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one. EdgePro is the very best table-mounted system for the money. Again, having the versatility of not just angles, but of stones as well. Very easy to have a local lapidary cut stones to size to fit EdgePro blanks. But with that in mind, although I do all 'major' sharpening with the EdgePro, I use the Sharpmaker once a week on my kitchen knives for touch-ups between sharpenings, and the DMT Aligner clamp goes into my backpack with a couple of sheets of sandpaper. Should someone come along and offer me the WE Pro II set-up I wouldn't refuse it, but I doubt it would get used any more than my EdgePro.

Stitchawl
 
I love my GATCO. Use mine on almost all of my blades up to my 10" chef.

The only issue I have had is with narrow blades like the smaller Swiss Army Classics.
 
Hard H2O said:
I love my GATCO. Use mine on almost all of my blades up to my 10" chef.

The only issue I have had is with narrow blades like the smaller Swiss Army Classics.
Click to expand...

The only reason I prefer the DMT Aligner over the GATCO is its versatility. I can use the DMT with its own guided stones, with any bench stones, or with wet/dry sandpaper. Otherwise, the GATCO is just as good, and perhaps even a more sturdy build.


Stitchawl
 
What do you guys think about the KME system? It seems kind of like a cross between the lansky/DMT style and the WE, and it's pretty cheap. Plus it will hold any stone, which is nice. Do you have any experience with it?
 
I've also like the looks of the KME, but I see the most acute angle setting is 17 degrees.

Andrew
 
I was looking at that as well. 34 degrees seems pretty broad for what I'm looking for. I don't use my knives very heavily, and I like them to be crazy sharp, so do you think I will need something that can go lower than 17 degrees?
 
Last edited:
It's a clever device... Being a 'tinkerer,' I find that I can always figure out a way to extend the angles of a device like this. Or a way to hold an tiny blade, a way to sharpen odd-shaped blades, etc. It just takes some thinking and a few minutes of cobbling something together to make it happen. Just 'cuz it's not in the manual doesn't mean I can't do it. You remember that old saying; "Nobody told him it was impossible and couldn't be done, so he went ahead and did it."


Stitchawl
 
FUnny I recently got a Lansky System (with the base) and I just didn't get the hang of it. There was to much movement/play in the rod system and the rods didn't always stay tight nor did the clamp.

Then somewhat frustrated I got a Edge Pro as i did not hear one bad review about it.

First attempt at sharpening with the EP?? Not so good, in fact I messed up a knife.
Second? A little better. Third? even better.

Currently I am at about 10 knives and though I have much room to grow I can get a decent edge on most any knife, though the little folders are harder.

So for me there is no contest. The Lansky is going on Ebay. The Edge Pro is being used all the times I need to sharpen.
 
Regarding the angle 'settings' on guided sharpeners:

Unless you actually measure and/or calculate for true angle, the marked settings on the guides will almost always be way off. As an example, the '17' setting on the Lansky clamp will only be ~17° as measured at the immediate front end of the clamp itself (I measured for this on mine). Same holds true for the other marked settings. Any blade edge that extends beyond the front edge of the clamp (as they all must do, or they wouldn't be reachable), will sharpen up at something lower than the marked setting. With a typical pocketknife-sized main blade, like the spear on a SAK, it's edge will extend ~1/2" to 5/8" beyond the clamp's front edge, if held in the 'notch' of the clamp. At that position, the real angle at the edge will be closer to ~15°, maybe a little less. A much wider blade, such as a kitchen/chef's knife, will sharpen up at much, much lower angles than what's indicated by the marked settings.


David
 
Good post OWE, few people realize the true angle reached on these type of sharpeners. I have read comments re: the KME system from people who "dish" the device because it will only go to 17*. They want their 15* or nothing.
There is nothing wrong with an angle of 15*, but people do not think, or take into consideration, the actual effect the distance from the edge of the clamps to the actual edge of the affected knife has on the finished angle. All the more need to use an angle guide if these angles are critical to the end user. However, in the real world, an angle margin of 2 - 3* would not be noticed or result in the end of the world.:eek:

A lot of time these same nay sayers brag on their ability to hand sharpen on various stones. Their results probably are 4 - 5* off what they think it is. (speaking averages here, not everyone included). For myself, I use the paper wheels, and I am very satisfied with the angles I wind up with on my knives, and the knives I sharpen for other people. I adjust the final angle for the intended use of the knife and the type of knife. They probably vary from 15* to 25* per side, and all will push cut phone book paper when done. Sharp enough for my uses, and for the people I sharpen for.

I would buy a KME system in a heart beat if I had the funds in my sharpening-knife collection budget. I have some people I sharpen for that would feel better if I did not take a "grinder" to their knives. (They don't take into consideration the factory their knives come from used "grinders" of some fashion to make their knives.) So, if someone is "right", it does not pay to argue with them. Just smile, nod your head and move on.;)

Omar
:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top