Hi I'm new here but I've been into knives well since forever. I've always been bad at sharpening. What system can I get to get that scary edge . Then a strop with polishing compounds. I want to achieve a mirror finish on my higher end blades. Not too expensive please like the wicked edge I've seen . I can't afford that yet lol. Thanks in advance. I've been so confused .
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Help on sharpening system I'm really confused
- Thread starter Megladon
- Start date
The problem with the DMT Aligner is that you are stuck with the angles they give you, well that and a lot of other issues actually. The hones are good but other than that I don't have much good to say about it.
The KME system resolves all of the issues I had with the DMT and then some. It gives you infinite adjustment from 17 to 30 degrees and actually by turning the rod pivot upside down I can get down to 10 degrees for my Santoku, actually a bit lower depending on the blade width. You can set the exact angle you want, with the DMT you are stuck with the angles they supply and actually that turns out to be a range depending on the blade width which in unacceptable for me.
The KME is a bit more expensive but well worth it.
The KME system resolves all of the issues I had with the DMT and then some. It gives you infinite adjustment from 17 to 30 degrees and actually by turning the rod pivot upside down I can get down to 10 degrees for my Santoku, actually a bit lower depending on the blade width. You can set the exact angle you want, with the DMT you are stuck with the angles they supply and actually that turns out to be a range depending on the blade width which in unacceptable for me.
The KME is a bit more expensive but well worth it.
My advice would be to first decide what you want your sharpener to do. If matching your factory bevel is highly important to you then systems like the kme & edge pro will serve you much better, both in their infinite adjustability as well as wider adjustment range.
You should also decide if you want to maintain a zero edge or a micro bevel. If you decide on a zero bevel, then again it's the kme or apex. Both systems offer consistent and easily repeatable results. (It helps to keep notes for each blade; measurements of blade placement, angle settings, depth of blade in clamp. )
When I was researching sharpening systems I had originally settled on the kme. It is an excellent system and I was a hairs breath away from placing my order. Then I started playing around with my lansky Turnbox on some beater knives and discovered the micro bevel. I did a lot of reading on blade forums and fully researched the concept and application of the micro bevel. This radically changed my sharpening approach. I decided against the kme, and instead I bought a dmt magna guide and a Spyderco sharpmaker.
I feel this is a great combination because the dmt diafolds reprofile blades easily, are very versatile, can be used free hand and are super portable. The sharpmaker is, imho, the best system for maintaining an edge. It will give you scary sharp edges quickly with minimal effort and without all the fussing around with clamps and guides. However, It wasn't designed to reprofile an edge and isn't, in my view, a stand alone single solution sharpening system.
Sorry I got long winded...here's the synopsis. I reprofile all my blades with the magna guide first. I don't use it until I need to reprofile again. All of my edge maintenance is done with the sharpmaker and a strop.
You should also decide if you want to maintain a zero edge or a micro bevel. If you decide on a zero bevel, then again it's the kme or apex. Both systems offer consistent and easily repeatable results. (It helps to keep notes for each blade; measurements of blade placement, angle settings, depth of blade in clamp. )
When I was researching sharpening systems I had originally settled on the kme. It is an excellent system and I was a hairs breath away from placing my order. Then I started playing around with my lansky Turnbox on some beater knives and discovered the micro bevel. I did a lot of reading on blade forums and fully researched the concept and application of the micro bevel. This radically changed my sharpening approach. I decided against the kme, and instead I bought a dmt magna guide and a Spyderco sharpmaker.
I feel this is a great combination because the dmt diafolds reprofile blades easily, are very versatile, can be used free hand and are super portable. The sharpmaker is, imho, the best system for maintaining an edge. It will give you scary sharp edges quickly with minimal effort and without all the fussing around with clamps and guides. However, It wasn't designed to reprofile an edge and isn't, in my view, a stand alone single solution sharpening system.
Sorry I got long winded...here's the synopsis. I reprofile all my blades with the magna guide first. I don't use it until I need to reprofile again. All of my edge maintenance is done with the sharpmaker and a strop.
I'd start with an old lansky set up..Ask the guys here or look on flea-bay for a deal on a used one..The stones are usually ok till they are not..The med grit puts a nice edge on a blade..Little toothy, but cuts nice when set to 25 degrees..I found a couple of worn out/chipped stones..I glue 320 or 400 & 600 grit wet/dry emery paper to those..Make yourself a small strop & learn how to use it..Mike in Ct