Investing in a new sharping system: WE, EP, or paper wheels?

B

bm11

Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Messages
283
Hello all,

I have been sharpening on a Sharpmaker for a while now, and while I generally get good (shaving sharp) results, I have a hard time getting "scary sharp" results, and reprofiling is tedious at best, even when using sandpaper over the rods.

I had all but decided to go with a Wicked Edge system, but before I make that purchase, I thought I should also hear some opinions about the Edge Pro system, as well as consider using a paper wheel system, either as a standalone or in conjunction with a WE or EP. I am also not ruling out a belt sander, though I really don't know as though I am ready to take that plunge as my knives are all pretty expensive ones and would prefer to go with a more fool proof system.

Thanks!

-Bob
 
bob, here are some links to check out. some knives were convexed on a belt sander but finished off on the slotted paper wheel which takes the place of a strop.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651061 Good Man......Richard J
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=800946

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/906238-Sharpening-your-BKT-s

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/900116-Best-skinning-knife?p=10268248#post10268248

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9207988&postcount=710

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/861580-Professional-knife-sharpening

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585019 free sharpening thread

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-for-a-knife-to-do-this?p=6346837#post6346837

if you want to see what the wheels can do, send me a knife and i'll sharpen it.
 
If you dont mind leaving a grinder set-up (not in apartment), I dont know why you wouldnt go for the paper wheels. They're cheaper, faster, and more versatile than the clamp systems.
 
After having Richard show me the paper wheels the other day I am totally sold on them. I highly recommend them.
 
Well, talked to Richard today, and he makes a convincing argument for paper wheels. Even so, I am leaning towards the Wicked edge to control the angle, and purchasing a paper wheel to finish the blade.

Thoughts?
 
you can work up a burr with the coarse stone and go to the slotted wheel for a freaky sharp edge. i would get the set and practice with the grit wheel. when you get used to working up a burr on the grit wheel, you'll like how fast it is.
 
@Richard J- what would you charge to sharpen a knife I bought from a member here recently? It was much less than satisfactorily sharp.
 
Well, as an update to everyone following this and everyone who offered input, I wanted to let everyone know I purchased a Wicked Edge. I also purchased the 800/1000 grit stones as well as the 5/3.5 micron strops. I was concerned with my own freehand ability and wanted a system that held a set angle.

So far I must say that I am very happy win the wicked edge. It had a bit of a learning curve but not much. I started on a cheap Gerber folder, moved on to a kitchen knife, then straight into an ATS-34 Strider. From there I did my SMF, reprofiling to 32 inclusive, then moved on to my new Busse, reprofiling to 40 inclusive.

Overall I am super happy with the setup. The finished product looks professional, and this is the first time I have been able to legitimately get a hair whittling sharp edge. I can pull curls off of pieces of hair with ease.

Probably will be ordering some more stones and strips in the near future, in the pursuit of a mirror edge. I am getting a nice shiney edge now with some really good reflection, but I can still see scratches when the light reflects off them.

A paper wheel is still in my future as well!

Thanks again,

-Bob
 
bm11 said:
Well, talked to Richard today, and he makes a convincing argument for paper wheels. Even so, I am leaning towards the Wicked edge to control the angle, and purchasing a paper wheel to finish the blade.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

That's a good compromise and will work well I think
 
Do you mean a belt sander? Or is a belt grinder something else? And why is this better than the paper wheels so many recommend?
 
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you can use a belt sander if you are convexing the edge which is what i do but i use the slotted wheel which takes the place of a strop to finish the edge. for a v edge you use the paper grit wheel and finish it off on the slotted wheel.
 
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