Recommendation? Home guided knife sharpening systems for 10 to 20 dps?

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Karl H

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Apr 24, 2020
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I would ideally like to be able to optimize bevel angles to a precision level of 1 to 2.5 degrees, within the 10 to 20 dps range. At least with my level of skill, I don't think I can realistically do this with freehand sharpening.

I am looking for guided sharpening systems that have guides work well for this type of edge geometry optimization, preferably with quality diamond or CBN stones or belts that can efficiently sharpen steels with moderate amounts of vanadium carbides (S30V, 3V, Cruwear, etc). I would appreciate any recommended sharpening systems that meet this criteria or come close to meeting it.
 
What is your budget, and knives? If you can afford it, I agree with Eli, KME.
 
The KME cannot cover the range you want unless you are using a very wide knife. On small blades the minimum is 17° per side; wider blades can go lower, but most will not hit ten degrees.

The Edge Pro Professional will go lower, especially on flat-ground knifes because the edge tilts away from the stone as it rests on the blade table. With a riser block you could go all the way down to the face grind itself.
 
Mr.Wizard said:
The KME cannot cover the range you want unless you are using a very wide knife. On small blades the minimum is 17° per side; wider blades can go lower, but most will not hit ten degrees.

The Edge Pro Professional will go lower, especially on flat-ground knifes because the edge tilts away from the stone as it rests on the blade table. With a riser block you could go all the way down to the face grind itself.
Click to expand...

One can flip the carrier assembly upside down and get pretty low angles on the KME. Of course blade width will be a factor but it is capable of going well below 17dps. The jaws become a limiting factor as well.
 
What about the TSProf Blitz? I haven't used it, but it looks to me like it should go to a very low dps and it looks very precise. Has anybody used it? How does it compare to the KME?
 
I just measured my Apex and it shows 9.7 degrees using a Matrix stone against the table. With a knife on the table and a thicker stone it would be less.
 
Thanks for the all of the input and recommendations.

Has anyone used the Work Sharp blade grinding attachment for the Ken Onion Edition? How does it compare to KME?

It looks like the angle guide goes down to 10 degrees. Given the belt system, I assume that there will be some convexing, so the actual edge angle at the apex will be lower than nominal angle on the guide. However, I don't know how much the convexing will actually effect the apex.

Since there is no cooling system, I am a bit concerned about overheating the blade and softening the metal.
 
Have you tried an angle guide that clamps onto the spine of the blade? One suggestion (that I haven't tried) is to tape a dime or nickel to the blade. Maybe a thin super magnet would work similarly. I sharpen freehand, don't care for the various systems.
 
Karl H said:
Has anyone used the Work Sharp blade grinding attachment for the Ken Onion Edition? How does it compare to KME?
Click to expand...
Adding electricity makes it difficult to compare with the manual KME system. Electricity makes sharpening a matter of minutes instead of tens of minutes, where the several trade-offs make sense for the circumstances. Your original specification was accuracy between 1 and 2.5°, for high vanadium steel edge optimization, with diamonds. I regularly produce edges below ~1% accuracy on the KME, fitting all your criteria. Lots of folks love the edge pro and will continue to chime in no doubt.

Certainly the electric belt can also produce sharp tools but it can and has destroyed knife tips, chewed through steel much faster then manual sharpening, and generally causes much greater damage then any manual system because of adding electricity to misuse. A great solution for careful folks, where time is of the essence.

My son-in-law has a working ranch and loves his Ken Onion Edition, sharpening tools all the time for work n family. He has had it a couple years now, so I've been thinking he might find the greater adjustability of the blade grinding attachment useful after a season of success with his machine. But using it is different than the machine by itself. He will need to hold the knife, referencing horizontal from a platform, and accurately move to the actual sharpening contact with the belt. I have no doubt he will easily climb that learning curve. The KME is a good fit for me and the kids. And we still use Spyderco Sharpmakers all the time for quick touch ups, because set up is quick, honing effective with ceramics, and we are certain of edge angles, established on the KME.
 
PirateSeulb said:
I haven't found anything I want to sharpen below 15 dps and have managed that with my KME w/o issue
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Hi, I purchased the TSPROF Blitz 360 2 weeks ago. I have been using my KME for 8+ years and was frustrated by 2 things. 1. The limit on DPS below 15 and 2. The difficulty in getting the angle dialed in. (set screw on the pivot rod, very hit or miss. The TSPROF Blitz 360 solves both problems. You can get down to about 8 DPS on most folding blades with the Blitz and the angle adjustment is changed with a dial on the left side of the machine. So.... The upgrade to the Blitz was a big win for me.

Pro's
1. 8% DPS
2. Dial in the angle and lock it in. (easy to find the angle with marker or cube)
3. Better clamp to hold the blade
4. Takes KME or Edgepro abrasives
5. Has a wooden ball at the end of the stone carrier
6. Has a solid base for use on a table
7. Super high quality machine work
8. US distributor for fast shipping and support.

I am going to order a second abrasive carrier and set it up for the Edgepro stones.
The local distributor is also getting me extra parts. (set screws etc.)

Con's
1. Only came with 2 extra parts. (set screws)
2. The screws on the flip side of the carrier do not flush mount / counter sink
3. It comes ready to go for Edgepro abrasives. (I have KME stones)
4. This is version 1.0 of the system (improvements coming..)

Why did I buy the Blitz 360?

The KME was designed for "Field" use.
I have been modifying it to make it into what the TSPROF Blitz is right out of the box.
My original kit did not come with a base and cost me a lot of money to keep tweaking it.

I like ZDP189, Maxamet and high Rockwell steel.
Edgepro length diamond stones get the job done faster and 12 - 14 DPS is how I like to run super steel.
Dial in the angle quickly lock it in.
Finding the factory angle takes seconds.
Set up with angle cube easy.

I love my KME... Mirror edges and all that.
The TSPROF Blitz was worth the upgrade.

Hope this helps
 
Wow, the TSPROF Blitz is industrial art, thank you for your report. And welcome to Bladeforums. We do have a saying around here "pictures or it didn't happen". :D
I've seen Deano sharpen 8 inch and ~10 inch kitchen knives with the KME by angling knife. Brian from KME flips the stone holder guide on a kitchen "wide" bushcraft knife and gets 11 degrees.
George from STATESLLC reports the TSPROF Blitz "works up to about 5 inches in length." Vladimir from TSPRO says 20cm, ~7.9 inches.
Like a moth to the flame, when I watched Vladimir demo Blitz n Blitz 360. Beautiful machine! Great example of CNC application, hope accuracy, function, follows design, form. Guessing some simple tests, lasers, digital cubes, mics, etc., will tell the tale.
Last machine I spent time looking at, discovered here, was a KME knock off, where the clamp parts were not drilled symmetric causing the sharpening process to get all jacked up. Kind of a DIY kit for genetic optimists:rolleyes:...
 
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